Tea Growing Regions
The principle tea/herb growing regions in the world based on leading tea exports (approximated to millions of pounds annually) are as follows:
- - Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, China, Japan, Vietnam)
- - Africa (Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Egypt)
- - South America (Argentina, Brazil)
India
India is known for its superb black teas from such famous regions as Darjeeling, Assam and Niligiri. Teas from these regions are characterized by their "high grown" flavor - complex in character and aroma, full bodied, but delicate. Long considered the premiere growing region in the world, teas in much of India are cultivated at altitudes between 1000 and 6000 feet in the foothills of the Himalayas. Difficult terrain prohibits much mechanization of harvesting, ensuring fine "orthodox" processing and a generally superior flavor. In contrast to the smaller terraced gardens of Darjeeling, the Assam valley in the northeastern India is the world's largest tea producing region. In gigantic sprawling gardens, sometimes extending over two thousand acres, a third of India's total annual tea harvest is gathered in Assam. Teas from this region are often described as heavy, rich, malty and pungent - almost thick in character.
Sri Lanka
Teas from Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon), like those from much of India, are grown at higher altitudes (4000-7000 feet) and are often characterized as strong and full, almost sweetish in flavor, with flowery overtones. There are, of course, a wide range of qualities within Sri Lanka, but these Ceylon teas are among the finest in the world, and make fabulous iced teas.
China
China is perhaps best known for the diversity of its teas. Producing the full range of teas from fragrant greens to rich China blacks to subtle Keemuns, China has long been a tea producer with a reputation for consistency and variety. Well known Chinese teas are Gunpowder and Chunmee in green teas, Keemun and Lapsang Souchong in black teas and Formosa in its finest oolong teas.
Japan
Although Japan is not among the world's largest tea exports, it does harvest several million pounds annually, but exports a fraction of it. It is, however, famous for its fine green teas such as the Sencha. In addition to leaf green teas, Japan also produces Matcha or ceremonial tea which is in fact a powdered tea, dissolved, rather than brewed during the tea ceremony.
Africa
Africa's importance as a tea growing region is steadily growing, owing in part to the fine product of its premiere growing region, Kenya and South Africa. Tea in Kenya is grown at elevations of 6000 feet and can rival some of the best of the high grown teas on the market. Kenya is also the largest tea producer in Africa with an annual output of over three hundred million pounds. South Africa on the other hand, is leading its way with increasing Rooibos and Honeybush ("red tea") exports, known for its high mineral and vitamin content.
Numerous other countries such as Russia, Argentina, and Indonesia produce tea mainly for consumption within the country and little for export. Much of this tea is designated for blending purposes or tea bags. The new tea drinker, however, should not miss the opportunity to sample the great variety of teas from around the world and discover their subtleties and surprises. With the exception of a few Chinese and African teas, Davidson's teas come directly from our own organic gardens in India. A few teas originate in Sri Lanka. Because of this strategic alliance, our teas come fresh after each harvest, bypassing the many month-to-year storage situations, associated with most other tea importers. Our organic herbs come from all over the world: South Africa, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and South America. Back to Top