Camellia sinensis - Tea Plant

Camellia sinensis - Tea Plant

Pot size in cm: 11

• Originally taken as a medicine and a ceremonial drink, tea went on to play a significant role in world trade, linking east and west. After water, tea is now the most popular drink in the world, and the British are among the world’s biggest consumers of tea.
• Tea is thought to have originated in west China. Today it is grown in around 45 countries in the subtropics and the mountainous regions of the tropics, from sea level to over 2,000m. Most tea is grown at fairly high altitudes in a cool, moist mountain climate. The tender evergreen plants flourish in deep, rich soils, even temperatures, high humidity and with at least 1.3m of rain a year.