Due to the current popularity of tea, it is possible to locate just about any type of tea at a supermarket or specialist tea shop-from inexpensive black tea bags to organic, single origin, loose leaf white teas and everything in between.
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Wouldn't it be great if you could make your own tea?
Well, you definitely can. Along with a growing appreciation for high quality, artisan tea is an enthusiasm for local produce, especially do-it-yourself gardening and food production. In many areas of Australia, and indeed the world, it is possible to grow your own tea plants, harvest the leaves and/ or flowers, and create your own tea from your back garden. |
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There are over 250 species of Camellia in the world but only the leaves from Camellia sinensis are used to make tea, one of the oldest and most popular beverages drunk around the world. Different processing methods produce a variety of teas eg. black, oolong, green and white.
It is not difficult to grow your own tea plants. Bryn Hill regularly sends tea plants to enthusiastic tea gardeners around Australia who are wanting to enjoy the simple pleasures and health benefits obtained from making their own homegrown, hand-crafted tea.
The white flowered, fragrant, Camellia sinensis grown at Bryn Hill is a variety that has been grown for commercial tea production in Queensland since 1886. Although Camellia sinensis is predominantly grown for tea, it is actually an amazingly versatile plant. The beautiful fragrant, white flowers from Camellia sinensis are abundant throughout Autumn and early Winter and, when picked and dried, produce a delicious and healthy flower tea. This tea is quite rare, and is only produced by Bryn Hill in small quantities each year since is is handcrafted.
Also, an incredibly healthy cooking and cosmetic oil (tea seed oil, NOT tea tree oil!) can be produced from the seeds of the Camellia sinensis plant. This oil has been used for centuries in many parts of Asia, particularly in Southern China for cooking.
Camellia sinensis plants can also be planted to form great hedges, which can be grown to any height and look very attractive with their smooth, evergreen leaves and pretty flowers. Tea plants also grow well in large pots or containers, but still require their soil acidic, well mulched and very well drained.
The white flowered, fragrant, Camellia sinensis grown at Bryn Hill is a variety that has been grown for commercial tea production in Queensland since 1886. Although Camellia sinensis is predominantly grown for tea, it is actually an amazingly versatile plant. The beautiful fragrant, white flowers from Camellia sinensis are abundant throughout Autumn and early Winter and, when picked and dried, produce a delicious and healthy flower tea. This tea is quite rare, and is only produced by Bryn Hill in small quantities each year since is is handcrafted.
Also, an incredibly healthy cooking and cosmetic oil (tea seed oil, NOT tea tree oil!) can be produced from the seeds of the Camellia sinensis plant. This oil has been used for centuries in many parts of Asia, particularly in Southern China for cooking.
Camellia sinensis plants can also be planted to form great hedges, which can be grown to any height and look very attractive with their smooth, evergreen leaves and pretty flowers. Tea plants also grow well in large pots or containers, but still require their soil acidic, well mulched and very well drained.
Whether you want to grow your own tea or simply want to enjoy an unusual Camellia for its ornamental value, tea is a
great plant for your garden.
great plant for your garden.