Tea Origins – Ancient Tea Trees

Tea’s origins are found with the ancient tea trees in southern Yunnan, China. Several tea mountains are found in this region and are said to be the origins of Camellia sinensis, or the birthplace of tea. From here, tea emanated out to surrounding regions such as Assam, India, and Thailand. The region is isolated and hard to get to. However, the ride we took in the tiny bus jammed like sardines was worth it. To walk among the ancient tea trees, some 700 to 1,000 years old, beneath the rainforest canopy, was spectacular and humbling. The Dai people, the mountain inhabitants, have picked the tea on this mountain for millennia, and the tea from this region reflects the depth and intimacy between the people and this amazing plant.

We are fortunate to offer tea from our friends at Jingmai Mountain. They follow stringent quality control measures, and their tea is known for superb quality. These teas completely stand on their own. The mineral make-up and flavor is unique to this farm alone. The flavor is consistent and complex, and the tea reflects the layers of depth of knowledge this company has. Drink this tea knowing that it brings with it history and complexity.