Where is tea grown and produced?
Posted on October 07, 2014
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Tea was born in China. Before long, it crossed the sea to Japan and then was transplanted far and wide. The great teas of the world, however, are grown and masterfully processed in a handful of countries: China, India, Japan, Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Kenya, and Taiwan (Formosa).
China
The Chinese Middle Empire is generally considered as the home of tea. The province of Yunnan is classified as the birthplace of tea within the former empire. The many mountain provinces of central and southern China are the origin of countless green and oolong teas. The Chinese drink mainly green tea and produce some of the world’s rarest green teas, but they export mostly black tea. The oldest living tea tree resides in China where it is said tea was discovered in the 5th century A.D.
India
According to the records, the cultivation of tea in India started at the beginning of the 18th century. At that time, English scientists were able to cultivate cuttings of Chinese tea seeds. Simutaneously, the “thea assamica” was discovered in impenetrable territory. India is home to many major tea-producing regions, the most celebrated are Assam, Darjeeling, and Nilgiri. From these regions come some of the most exquisite teas in the world. Republic Darjeeling offers an excellent way to enjoy the pleasures of Indian tea. Indian tea gardens are self-sustaining communities.
Japan
Japan is renowned for producing green tea and elevating its consumption to a fine art. On the main island Hunshu, as well as on the smaller islands Shikoku and Kyushu, almost all plantations traditionally grow green tea; these teas vary widely, but all of them present a fresh, clear character. After China, Japan has the oldest tea culture of the world. Bright green powdered matcha – a rare Japanese tea — is the star of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
Sri Lanka (Ceylon)
The verdant hills of the island of Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon), a few of them reaching up to 7,000 feet, are planted with some of the world’s finest teas. Most Ceylon tea is superior black tea, fully oxidized. Tea was once a rarity in Sri Lanka – until the coffee crop failed and British grocery magnate Thomas Lipton converted coffee plantations to tea-growing in the 1880s.
Taiwan (Formosa)
This island is the home of the world-famous Oolong teas and of some interesting green teas. The island of Taiwan was once known as Formosa, so you will hear the teas grown there still referred to as Formosan oolong teas. Even though the first tea plants were grown in Formosa only in 1650, an impressive tea culture has developed ever since and was further promoted by the many tea experts.
Kenya
Tea was first planted in Kenya in 1903 when white settlers experimented with a few tea bushes at Limuru in Kiambu District. The main growing region is in the Kenya Highlands where plantations lie at altitudes ranging from 1,520 to 2,750 metres(5,000 to 9,000 feet) and where copious rainfall encourages the bushes to grow vigorously throughout the year.
China
The Chinese Middle Empire is generally considered as the home of tea. The province of Yunnan is classified as the birthplace of tea within the former empire. The many mountain provinces of central and southern China are the origin of countless green and oolong teas. The Chinese drink mainly green tea and produce some of the world’s rarest green teas, but they export mostly black tea. The oldest living tea tree resides in China where it is said tea was discovered in the 5th century A.D.
India
According to the records, the cultivation of tea in India started at the beginning of the 18th century. At that time, English scientists were able to cultivate cuttings of Chinese tea seeds. Simutaneously, the “thea assamica” was discovered in impenetrable territory. India is home to many major tea-producing regions, the most celebrated are Assam, Darjeeling, and Nilgiri. From these regions come some of the most exquisite teas in the world. Republic Darjeeling offers an excellent way to enjoy the pleasures of Indian tea. Indian tea gardens are self-sustaining communities.
Japan
Japan is renowned for producing green tea and elevating its consumption to a fine art. On the main island Hunshu, as well as on the smaller islands Shikoku and Kyushu, almost all plantations traditionally grow green tea; these teas vary widely, but all of them present a fresh, clear character. After China, Japan has the oldest tea culture of the world. Bright green powdered matcha – a rare Japanese tea — is the star of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
Sri Lanka (Ceylon)
The verdant hills of the island of Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon), a few of them reaching up to 7,000 feet, are planted with some of the world’s finest teas. Most Ceylon tea is superior black tea, fully oxidized. Tea was once a rarity in Sri Lanka – until the coffee crop failed and British grocery magnate Thomas Lipton converted coffee plantations to tea-growing in the 1880s.
Taiwan (Formosa)
This island is the home of the world-famous Oolong teas and of some interesting green teas. The island of Taiwan was once known as Formosa, so you will hear the teas grown there still referred to as Formosan oolong teas. Even though the first tea plants were grown in Formosa only in 1650, an impressive tea culture has developed ever since and was further promoted by the many tea experts.
Kenya
Tea was first planted in Kenya in 1903 when white settlers experimented with a few tea bushes at Limuru in Kiambu District. The main growing region is in the Kenya Highlands where plantations lie at altitudes ranging from 1,520 to 2,750 metres(5,000 to 9,000 feet) and where copious rainfall encourages the bushes to grow vigorously throughout the year.
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