Analyzing Bud Anatomy: The Importance of "Gaju-shitate" in Tencha Cultivation

In Wazuka Town, the global surge in demand for Matcha has led to a significant increase in the cultivation of Tencha—the raw material for Matcha. In our own company, we plan to produce Tencha in nearly 90% of our tea gardens.

Tencha is produced by covering the tea plants with materials like black mesh (kanreisha) for over 20 days. This process results in tea leaves with lower catechin levels and higher concentrations of amino acids, such as theanine. Because of this shading, the cultivation period from budding to harvest is prolonged. While the Sencha harvest in Wazuka typically occurs from late April to early May, the Tencha harvest doesn't truly begin until mid-May and can sometimes last until the first week of June.

Visual Note: The scene of Tencha cultivation under kanreisha shading.

The timing for harvesting Tencha is determined by whether the final terminal leaf has opened. Therefore, the harvest window depends heavily on the condition of the buds and the tea trees, in addition to the shading period itself. Let’s take a closer look at the anatomy of the new buds to understand what this means.

Comparison: Bud Count vs. Bud Weight

If we look at the buds, we can distinguish between Gashu-gata (high bud-count type) and Gaju-gata (high bud-weight type). By dissecting them, as shown in the diagram, we can predict the number of leaves expected to unfurl:

• Left (Bud Count Type): Expected to unfurl 6 leaves.
• Right (Bud Weight Type): Expected to unfurl 4 leaves.

This unfurling represents the "time limit" until harvest. In Bud Weight (Gaju) cultivation, there is a longer grace period before picking. This allows for an extended shading period, which is essential for creating high-quality products with the flavor profile suited for premium Matcha.

Conversely, with the Bud Count (Gashu) type, the leaves may begin to harden before the necessary shading period is complete. Having a tea garden optimized for "Bud Weight" provides a significant competitive advantage in Tencha cultivation.