Assam, India
Serious tea planting in India started with the British and was
done in a plantation style instead of the small farms which are so
prevalent in China. India is known for its black tea production,
Darjeeling and Assam have become household names the world over. Now
there is much experimentation as Indian tea estates produce other
types of tea as well.
Along
with other countries in the golden triangle and Eastern India, Myanmar
is home to old tea trees and is part of the region where the tea plant
originated. They have a special tea culture that includes eating tea
leaves as well as drinking tea.
Fujian Province, China Fujian
Province is important to the tea industry because they produce many
different types of tea. White tea originated here and is still grown in
the Northern coastal region today. Tiequanyin oolong and the Cliff
oolongs from the Northwest are famous worldwide. Green tea, Black (Red)
tea as well as teas scented with flowers are also produced here. This
photo is from the Wuyi Mountains where the Cliff teas are grown.
Japan Japan
specializes in green tea, with a range of styles quite different from
the Chinese greens. Most of their teas are steamed after picking and
have a rich, dark green color.
Sri Lanka Historically known
as Ceylon, the tear drop shaped island just south of India has a very
productive tea industry. They produce many styles of black tea, most of
which is sold at auction in Calcutta. The climate is such that tea can
be grown all year around.
Taiwan
Taiwan makes a range of handcrafted oolongs in a different style than
the Chinese oolongs. They are light and green and fragrant as well as
more oxidized, darker and almost as full of flavor as a black tea. The
high quality teas are sought after by tea aficionados all over the
world. View Taiwanese teas here.
Thailand
Thailand is located in South East Asia, and its northern tip forms part
of the golden triangle. This is the region where the tea plant traces
its origin to. We find the tea tradition here turning to oolong, which
they are growing in the Taiwanese style. The traditional large leaf
Yunnan tea trees are more valued across the border in China where they
are used to make Pu-erh. The climate is also great for herbs and
spices. We work with some local farmers who grow the ingredients found
in some of our Chais.
The dramatic scenery and city of Hong Kong has been a very important
place for the history of the tea industry. It was the main trading port
where the Europeans loaded their boats with tea from the interior of
China. Oolongs and Pu-erh teas are especially popular. Much of the
Pu-erh tea produced in Yunnan has been aged and enjoyed here for
generations.
The
origin of tea plant traces its roots to Yunnan Province in southern
China. Tea culture began here as well, before being exported to other
countries around the world. China is known for it's skill in producing
all the different styles of tea, including Pu-erh.
Fujian
Province is important to the tea industry because they produce many
different types of tea. White tea originated here and is still grown in
the Northern coastal region today. Tiequanyin oolong and the Cliff
oolongs from the Northwest are famous worldwide. Green tea, Black (Red)
tea as well as teas scented with flowers are also produced here. This
photo is from the Wuyi Mountains where the Cliff teas are grown.
