Plant & Botany
/uh-SAM-ih-kuh/
The large-leaf Indian variety — vigorous, bold, the workhorse behind Assam, Ceylon and most African black teas.
Camellia sinensis var. assamica was 'discovered' growing wild in Assam in the 1820s. Its big leaves and heat tolerance made it the foundation of industrial-scale black tea production in India, Sri Lanka, Kenya and beyond.
From the Journal
We travel to the first-flush gardens of West Bengal to meet the hands behind the world's most delicate black tea.
by Sameera
Until 1869, Sri Lanka grew coffee. A fungal blight killed every plant on the island. The British replanted with tea — and one of the world's great tea regions was born.
by Sameera
The largest tea-growing region in the world produces 700 million kilos a year. Inside the Indian floodplain that fills your morning mug.
by Sameera
Kenya is the world's largest exporter of black tea — and almost no one outside the trade can name a single Kenyan estate. A look at tea's most under-recognised power.
by Sameera
The Tea List dispatch
Slow reading for slow drinkers. No spam, unsubscribe in a single click.
