An “inzatsu” cultivar registered in 2005, Sôfû was developed at the Shizuoka national research centre from a cross Yabukita between and Inzatsu 131. Inzatsu 131 was selected from a Manipuli 15 tea tree seed brought to Japan from India in the 1920s. “Inzatsu” is used to refer to Indian-Japanese hybrid varieties. Sôfû develops the exotic sweet floral fragrances unique to “inzatsu” varieties. When used for sencha, it tends towards astringency, but high-quality Sôfû teas remain very sweet. This cultivar is well suited for kama-iri cha and semi-oxidized teas. Time of harvest: early.