A new tea variety named “Benihikari” is a clone for black tea. It was bred by the Tea Breeding Laboratory of Makurazaki Branch, Tea Research Station, and registered with M. A. F. as a superior variety in May, 1969.
“Benihikari ” is originated from the F, hybrid of “ Benikaori ” (the Assam hybrid) x Cn 1 (the China variety).
Mature leaves of this variety are large in size, elliptic in shape and light-green in colour. “ Benihikari ” is a late variety with a medium growth habit and the plucking time is a few days earlier than that of “ Benihornare.”
The superior characters of this variety are cold resistance, vigorous growth, marked quality and high yield. The yield is as much as that of “Hatsumomiji” which produces the highest yield of black tea.
It has the finest quality, especially in aroma. The cutting strikes root readily giving about 90% success.
From the results of the trials which were made in different environments, it is concluded that “Benihikari ” is a suitable variery in southwest Japan.