Definition of Komakage

Komakage is an unregistered Uji tea cultivar developed from Kyoto seedlings for shaded tea, noted for cold resistance, vivid color, and rich flavor.

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Komakage and Kyoto Tea Cultivation

Komakage is an unregistered Kyoto tea cultivar developed in 1954 from seedlings selected in Uji. It was originally intended for gyokuro and remains associated with the region’s tradition of shaded tea cultivation.

The cultivar has small, deep-green leaves, strong cold resistance, and medium harvest yield. Finished tea is valued for vivid color, a distinctive aroma, and rich flavor.

Sources

Sources as of July 31, 2026

This page was last reviewed on July 31, 2026, and used the sources below.
myjapanesegreentea.com The Komakage Tea Cultivar
Wikipedia Matcha
Reviewed on July 31, 2026
Reviewer Emilie Schol

Frequently asked questions

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers.

What is the Komakage tea cultivar?

Komakage is an unregistered Kyoto tea cultivar developed from seedlings selected in Uji in 1954. Created for shaded tea cultivation, it was originally intended for gyokuro. The cultivar remains associated with Uji and Kyoto tea traditions and combines strong cold resistance with desirable qualities in the finished tea.

What type of tea was Komakage developed for?

Komakage was developed for shaded tea and was originally intended for gyokuro. Its history remains connected to the regional tradition of shaded tea cultivation in Uji and Kyoto. This intended use, together with the cultivar’s vivid finished color, distinctive aroma, and rich flavor, defines its role as a tea cultivar.

What do Komakage tea leaves look like?

Komakage plants have small leaves with a deep-green appearance. Beyond those visible traits, the cultivar has strong resistance to cold and provides a medium harvest yield. These cultivation characteristics accompany the finished tea qualities for which Komakage is valued, including vivid color, a distinctive aroma, and a rich flavor.

What flavor and aroma does Komakage tea have?

Finished Komakage tea is valued for a rich flavor and a distinctive aroma. It is also recognized for its vivid color. These sensory and visual characteristics come from a Kyoto cultivar associated with shaded tea cultivation and originally intended for gyokuro, rather than from a cultivar developed primarily for unshaded tea.

Is Komakage resistant to cold?

Yes. Komakage has strong cold resistance, along with small, deep-green leaves and a medium harvest yield. Cold resistance is one of the defining cultivation traits noted for this unregistered cultivar. Komakage was developed from Uji-selected Kyoto seedlings and was intended for shaded tea, particularly gyokuro, while offering vivid color and rich flavor.