Hawaii Tea Society

Small-scale Tea Growing and Processing in Hawaii...

Originally published by CTAHR in 2003, this document (click here to download) is a guide to the University’s research efforts into growing camellia sinensis (tea plants) on the Big...

Who says tea cannot be grown in America?...

Robert Wemischner (www.robertwemischner.com), author of The Dessert Architect, Cooking with Tea and other books, recently published a short article on tching.com on the possibilities of “Tea Grown in the USA”. We have received permission from Robert to republish the article here. When we think of tea, our minds usually turn to exotic places, far from American soil. But that long-held geographical reference may be...

A Brief, Incomplete History of the Spread of Tea A...

By Mark T. Nickum, PhD Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze, in the family Theaceae, is grown through an impressive range of tropical and subtropical regions, and in some instances can survive in snow and below freezing temperatures. Tea is found as far north as 41 and 42° N in areas such as Turkey and Georgia, and as far south as 27° S in Argentina. In subtropical areas tea is grown in Japan -Kyoto and Kanaya; China...

Hawaii Grown Tea...

By Eva Lee What do these words mean? Why have they become so important after several years of effort by so many people? The Camellia sinensis tea grown in Hawaii is an agriculture crop reintroduced in 2001 by horticultural research from the Pacific Basin Agriculture Research Center USDA and continued experimentation with the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. The formation of potential...

Stressed Out? Try Tea...

By Kelley Herring Stressed out? Reach for a soothing cup of black tea. A recent study conducted by University College London researchers evaluated the effects of black tea on stress in the body. Seventy-five regular tea drinkers were split into two groups. All study participants gave up their normal tea, coffee, and caffeinated beverages. One group drank a caffeinated black tea. The control group drank a caffeinated...

What is Gyokuro?...

Gyokuro is a highly prized Japanese green tea with the rich and balanced characteristics highly sought after in tea. Compared to sencha, a Japanese green tea suitable for daily use, it is high in the amino acids that give richness to tea, often described as earthy balance or “Umami”. Theanine in Gyokuro has a calming and relaxing effect while its caffeine is a mild stimulant. Since a pot is good for five or...

BlackTea Processing...

Camellia sinensis – Black Tea Processing A Simplified Hand Processed Japan Style Black Tea 1.1. On a sunny afternoon, harvest young tea shoots with two to three leaves and a central needle-like leaf. 2.2. Assam hybrids such as Benihikari, Benihomare, and Bohea make good black teas. 3.3. Set tea, as a single shoot layer on a screen or...

Green Tea Processing...

Camellia sinensis – Green Tea Processing Hand Processed Green Tea using a Microwave Oven and Wok 1. On a sunny morning, harvest young tea shoots with two leaves and a central needle-like leaf. 2. For green tea, you generally don’t solar wilt your freshly harvested tea but you could have a slight indoor withering, depending on the type of tea you are planning to make. 3. Microwave tea shoots for approximately 2 minutes...

Adding Milk to Tea May Block Health Benefits...

Adding Milk to Tea May Block Health Benefits A German study has revealed that adding milk to tea stops its ability to dilate blood vessels and give antioxidant benefits, two protective factors for a healthy heart and cardiovascular system. The study is published online in the European Heart Journal and was conducted by a group of scientists from the University of Berlin's Charité...