Cultivar

Two different oolong varietals (Ruan Zhi and Jin Xuan)

Cultivar or varietal should not be confused with type of tea. The latter differ mainly by the processing while varietals are genetically different tea plants (within the Camellia sinensis family). A type of tea can be made ​​from different varietals and still have the same name. But producer of exclusive teas tend to declarethe used variety or the variety is part of the name given.


Green tea

China

In China, the birthplace of tea culture, there are countless varieties. Often, variety and kind of tea are the same. This is particularly the case with oolong. On the other hand for the same tea can different varietals be used.

  • Anji Baicha, although from the name and appearance it suggests to be a white tea but it's in fact a green varietal.
  • Biyun
  • Jinfeng
  • Jiukengzhong
  • Long Jing #43
  • Yingshuang

Japan

 
Sayama

Japan has a highly specialized tea industry. As a consequence many new varieties for different purposes are available.

  • Asagiri
  • Asahi
  • Asatsuyu
  • Fujikaori, cross between Yabukita and Inzatsu 131
  • Fujimidori
  • Fukumidori, cross between Yabukita and Sayamamidori.
  • Fushun
  • Gokou
  • Harumidori
  • Himemidori
  • Houryoku
  • Hoshinolnidori
  • Inzatsu 131
  • Izumi
  • Kanayamidori
  • Karabeni
  • Kirari 31
  • Komakage
  • Kondowase, cross between Yabukita and Inzatsu 131.
  • Kuritawase
  • Kurusawa, cross between Yabukita and a unknown cultivar.
  • Makurazaki-No.1
  • Makurazaki-No.4
  • Makurazaki-No.5
  • Makinoharawase
  • Meiryoku, cross between Yabukita and Z1.
  • Minamisayaka
  • Miyoshi
  • Natsumidori
  • Oguramidori
  • Oiwase, cross between Yabukita and Yaeho.
  • Okuhikari
  • Okumidori
  • Okumusahi, cross between Sayamamidori und Yamatomidori.
  • Okuyutaka
  • Ryohofu, cross between Yabukita and Hoyofu.
  • Samidori, cross between Yabukita and Asatsuyu.
  • Saemidori
  • Sainomidori
  • Sakimdori
  • Sayama
  • Sayamakaori, cross between Yabukita and a unknown cultivar.
  • Sayamamidori
  • Shizu 7132
  • Shunmei, cross between Yutakamidori and a unknown cultivar.
  • Surugawase, cross between Yabukita and a unknown cultivar.
  • Tadanishiki
  • Takachiho
  • Tamamidori
  • Tsuyuhikari
  • Toyoka, cross between Asatsuyu and Sayamamidori.
  • Uji Midori
  • Uji Hikari, used for Matcha.
  • Unkai
  • Yabukita
  • Yaeho
  • Yalnanami
  • Yamakai
  • Yamanami
  • Yamanoibuki
  • Yamatomidori
  • Yutakamidori, cross between Asatsuyu and a unknown cultivar.
  • Yuukimidori
  • Zairai

Oolong

China

  • Huang Jin Gui
  • Fo Shou (Buddhas Hand)
  • Maoxie
  • Meizhan
  • Qi Lan
  • Tie Guanyin
  • Jin Guanyin
  • Huang Guanyin

Japan

Taiwan

  • TTES #5, a wilde hybride from Fozhou. Also suitable for green tea.
  • TTES #6, a wilde hybride of Qing Xin. Also suitable for green and black tea.
  • TTES #12 Jin Xuan, cross between Ying Zhi Hong Xin and TTES #8.
  • TTES #13 Cuy Yu, cross between Ying Zhi Hong Xin and TTES #80. Also suitable for black tea.
  • TTES #14 Bai Wen, cross between Bai Mao Hou and TTES #983.
  • TTES #15 Bai Yian, cross between Bai Mao Hou and TTES #983. Also suitable for white tea.
  • TTES #16 Bai He, Bai Yian, cross between TTES #1958 and TTES #335. Also suitable for green tea (Long Jing).
  • TTES #17 Bai Lu or Ruan Zhi, cross between TTES #1958 and TTES #335.
  • TTES #19 Bi Yu, cross between Qing Xin and Jin Xuan.
  • TTES #20 Ying Xiang, cross between a unknown tree with no. 2022 and Jin Xuan.
  • Si Ji Chun
  • Qing Xin (green heart), some claim it's a Ruan Zhi, some that it's a different varietal. Other names are Zhong Zhai and Zhong Cha.
  • Ying Zhi Hong Xin (hard stem red heart).
  • Huang Gan
  • Qing Xin Da Mao
  • Da Ye (big leaf)

Black tea

India

  • Bannockburn 157
  • Phoobsering 312
  • Ambari Vegetative 2

Taiwan

  • TTES #1, cross between assamica from India (Kyat, Assam) and Qing Xin Da Mao.
  • TTES #2, cross between assamica from India (Jaipur, Assam) and Da Ye Oolong (big leaf oolong).
  • TTES #3, cross of Indian assamica (Manipur, Assam) and Hong Xin Da Mao.
  • TTES #4, cross of Indian assamica (Manipur, Assam) and Hong Xin Da Mao.
  • TTES #7, a big leaf varietal taken from Thailand. Probably Camellia taliensis (Pu-erh tree).
  • TTES #8, a assamica varietal from Jaipur (India, Assam).
  • TTES #9, cross between assamica from Kyat (Nepal) and Hong Xin Da Mao. Also suitable for green tea.
  • TTES #10, cross between assamica from India (Jaipur, Assam) and Huang Gan. Also suitable for green tea.
  • TTES #11, cross between assamica from India (Jaipur, Assam) and Da Ye Oolong (big leaf oolong). Also suitable for green tea.
  • TTES #18 Hong Yu (Ruby), cross between Taiwanese wild tea tree (B-607) and a Burmese assamica (B-729).
  • TTES #21 Hong Yun, cross between Keemun and an assamica from Kyang (India, Assam).
  • TTES #22, a cross between Qing Xin and Jin Xuan.

Japan

As in Japan historically only green tea has been produced all cultivars are Sinensis var. sinensis. In order to produce black tea native teas were therefore crossed with Assam or with Chinese black tea varietals.

  • Benifuji
  • Benifuki, cross between Benihomare and Cd86.
  • Benihikari
  • Benihomare
  • Benikaori
  • Hatsumomiji

White tea

China

  • Fuding Da Bai
  • Zhenghe Da Bai
  • Ming Shan Bai Hao