The "Karatum" variety belongs to a medium-sized tea plant (Camellia sinensis L.) and is characterized by rapid growth, medium density, and a rounded canopy. Leaves of this variety have a high flash mass – from 1.4 to 2.2 grams, while the composition includes 43.3% extractive substances and 25.9% tannins, ensuring a rich taste and aroma. The tasting score reaches 4.8 points, and the average yield is about 95 centners per hectare.
Karatum is characterized by a favorable ratio of flash fractions: two-leafed – 12.7%, three-leafed – 67.5%, and buds – 19.8%. These indicators make the variety particularly valuable for producing high-quality tea. In scientific research at the FCI SNT RAS, this variety was highlighted as a promising object for improving resistance to abiotic stresses and increasing antioxidant content.
In the context of genetic work on the Karatum variety, bioballistics and callus culture methods were used, which allowed creating high-yielding and winter-hardy forms. The collection includes hybrids with other known varieties, such as "Kimyun", as well as mutations obtained in international laboratories. Thanks to these efforts, the variety continues to develop, offering consumers high-quality tea with a rich aroma and beneficial properties.
