Tea Basics

How Tea is Made

What's it like to 'go there'?

At two leaves and a bud, we actively go to the tea gardens whenever possible. Our journeys to source teas like Assam or Darjeeling are experiences to remember - picture rolling hills filled with tea, "pluckers" in colorful clothing gathering the most recent harvest, and acres and acres of great organic tea.

Pluckers are the beginnings of a great cuppa' tea. Moving around the garden to harvest different areas every six to 14 days, depending on the season, the plucker's skilled hands are the key to getting "good leaf." And good leaf is the key to a better cuppa' tea.

From the field, tea is brought to the "tea factory" usually on or very close to the garden. Here the garden manager takes that great leaf and turns it into great tea. All the processes of withering, rolling and fermenting, must be carefully watched to bring out the most flavor from the leaf. The best tea is made at night when the climate is cooler.

Organic tea is either sold directly from the garden or though an auction. Tea traders and tea tasters taste thousands of cups!

share