Grow Your Own Tea

Camellia sinensis     Tea Camellia

“Expect to pay lots more for tea this year.” So says commodities reporters. “Well duh” you say, “we’re paying more for everything, right?” But tea drinkers of the world, we have a problem. There are more people in the world now and more of these people are drinking tea and yet tea production is way down!
    It seems that many people are switching from other drinks to tea, recognizing the health benefits, but the major increase is due to the economic growth in China and India. The huge population and growing income level of these countries are making a major impact on the rise in world tea consumption. Prices ride on supply and demand and the supply is just not happening. India expects their tea supply to decrease by 20% due to adverse weather conditions which also increased pest damage. This will be a huge loss in world tea supplies and it is thought unlikely that other tea producing countries can make up the difference.
    But the good news is…you can grow tea in your own backyard! Yep, you can grow green tea, black tea and decaf tea outside in middle GA or in your sunroom if you live in a colder climate. You can even make Earl Grey tea if that’s your preference.

    All tea comes from the shrub, Camellia sinensis, and it is blooming right now in our garden, some grown from seed, some from cuttings. Our garden plants have thrived in the sun and even the drought conditions we’ve suffered this past summer. 
    Don’t expect a showy camellia flower from C. sinensis…the flowers are about the size of a silver dollar, white petals with a large yellow center and they hang all along the underside of the limb. There’s a pink flowered variety too but we haven’t seen it bloom.
Leaves can be picked and dried quickly for green tea; white tea comes from the tender top leaves; black tea is made by mounding the leaves, allowing them to sweat a while then drying. Don’t want the caffeine? Soak the tea leaves in tepid water and strain. Caffeine is water soluble and will wash away. Love Earl Grey? Add a few drops of the essential oil of Bergamot to a bag of green or black tea.
   Having your own Tea Plantation won’t solve the world tea crisis but I bet it will taste better than store bought!