On Independence Day, we’ve started our own tea party
Camellia sinensis (a.k.a. tea).
Let me say right up front that our party has nothing to do with today’s political tea-party kerfuffle.
We just want to enjoy a nice cup of tea…that we happen to have grown ourselves. And today, tea’s most historic day, seems ripe for our launching of, yes! Team Tea.
Locavores tend to really, really miss certain foodstuffs that don’t grow within whatever distance they’ve designated as “local” for them. For North Americans, it’s usually tropical crops like chocolate, spices, and their favorite caffeinated substance–either tea or coffee.
After doing a bit of preliminary research, we think we can grow tea here in Menlo Park. Camellia sinensis is happy enough at sea level and likes warm, sunny climates. We may have to work hard at keeping it moist, though. I foresee a mister in our future, or maybe a little greenhouse.
If any of you readers have tea-raising tips–or comments–for us, please let us know...
Terri, so far we’ve located ForestFarm, in Oregon, but they’re out of stock–we’ll keep searching.
Patricia, you may well be right! When and if we find our bush(es), we’ll post about it.
Didn’t I read,somwhere in Sunset, some years ago, that it was almost impossible to get a true tea plant in the U.S.? Perhaps restrictions have changed.
Question: Is saving “miles” by using much more water a good thing?
Where does one go to find a Camellia sinensis bush? I don’t think I’ve ever seen one in the nursery trade. Sounds like a fun project!
Hi, Allyson. Yep, fingers crossed.
Pedroza Family, thank you for your comments. Jasmine is a great idea, as are the others (we did grow peppermint, for a peppermint-lemongrass “tea” last summer, and loved it). The challenge, we suspect, is going to be English Breakfast.
We grow arabic jazmin and drink jazmin tea. I drop one tiny curly flower in my glass of water and it last all day!
Other great teas are Chamomile and mint teas. I’m sure the ones your growing are “the real thing” but mine are “easy cheesy” to grow.
I can’t wait to see how it turns out! I’d love to make my own tea.