Tip 1: In which countries are grown tea

Beverages

Tip 1: In which countries are grown tea

An ancient and noble drink with a wholepalette of various tastes, has been present on our tables for more than one hundred years. China is the birthplace of tea, but in our days tea bush of various varieties is grown in other countries.

Famous tea plantations of China

Some scientists define the birthplace of North teaBurma and Annam, located in Vietnam, but the majority is convinced that this drink originated from China. Zhejiang Province is one of the most important and ancient areas of Chinese tea growing: now one quarter of the total harvest is harvested here. Almost the entire territory of Zhejiang, with the exception of the coastal islands and several counties, is a continuous tea plantation. The soil and climate favor the cultivation of tea plants, mainly plant green tea of various brands, but also grow red and black baihovyh grades. Even in Zhejiang Province, off the coast of the East China Sea, there is the province of Fujian, whose inhabitants grew tea in the days of the Sun Dynasty. It produces a variety of teas, including oolong, bajchu, green tea, black baikhovy. Another historical homeland of Chinese tea is Hunan Province, located in the central region of China. The production of local tea in the XIX and the first half of the XX century exceeded half of the production in the country. A suitable climate and good land made it possible to break tea plantations, predominantly black baikhov, as well as green and red, on a mountainous terrain.

World producers of tea

The second by volume of tea production by the stateis India. Exports prevail over domestic consumption, and the main cultivated variety is black tea. Indian tea is characterized by a rich taste and color, but in aroma is inferior to Chinese. Ceylon teas that grow in Sri Lanka are branded all over the world. The best is considered a crop from high-altitude plantations, the rest is defined as average in quality. Black and green teas are grown. In Japan, only green tea is grown and for domestic consumption, small quantities are exported to the USA and Europe. Middle and low-quality teas are also produced in Africa, Turkey, Iran, Indochina. On the Russian market, they actually do not occur.

Growing Tea in Russia

The only type of tea grown in Russia is"Krasnodar tea", which is now called "Matsesta tea." Russian tea plantations are considered the most northern in the world, they are located in the vicinity of the city of Sochi. Attempts to grow tea in Russia have been made since the end of the XIX century, but only in 1925 in the Krasnodar Territory were planted large-scale plantations, by 1940, reached an area of 700 hectares. Subsequently, tea plantations were planted in the Stavropol Territory, Transcarpathia and Kazakhstan, but the results seemed unprofitable to the management, in contrast to the Sochi production. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the plantations fell into decay. Only in 2006 the production of Russian tea was taken up again: at present, the plantation area is 180 hectares, and the former "Krasnodar tea" was called "Matsesta tea" or "Matsestin tea".

Tip 2: Indian tea: choose the best

Indian tea has become widespread in the world, beginning in the second half of the 19th century. With the arrival of the British in the country began to cultivate a wild tea bush and varieties taken from China.

Despite the widespread use of Chinese tea, India does not lose its position as one of the largest suppliers of this product in the world market. Which Indian tea is considered the most popular?

The history of tea production in India.

Indian tea became known in the world in the secondhalf of the XIX century, after the capture of the country by the British. Before this culture grew in the foothills of the Himalayas, where local people used leaves of wild bush to prepare a tart drink. There is a legend saying that it was the British who first brought to India the sorts of tea secretly exported from the plantations of China. It is not known how right the legend is, but already in 1863 the East Indian company laid several plantations in India and 10 years later market first samples of products. Indian tea quickly gained popularity and still retains it, thanks to companies such as Lipton.

The best sorts of tea from India.

Today India produces a huge amountlow-grade tea leaf, belonging to the class of STS. Virtually all of its reserves remain in the country. The best varieties of tea grown in the highlands are supplied to the world market. The largest supplier is "Assam", which produces about half of all products. Indian tea, grown on the plains of the province of Assam, is a part of many blends. Blends, industrial varieties of tea, sometimes consist of 20 ingredients, which are shredded leaves. In the upper part of the region clean, elite sorts of tea are grown, which have a thick aroma, dark infusion and tart taste. Elite large-leaf Indian tea is represented by the only variety - Darjeeling. Sometimes it is compared with champagne, emphasizing the delicate aroma and golden tinge of infusion. Tea grows in the eponymous province, located in the northern part of India. At the foot of the Blue Mountains lies one of the largest regions producing Indian tea. In the province of Nilgiri, plantations of cultivated shrubs are at an altitude of 1500-1800 meters. Mostly red varieties of tea are grown here. Indian tea, collected in Nilgiri in the spring, is preferable to fresh, as the treated leaves lose most of such qualities as an amazing lemon flavor, soft taste and rich color.