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Tea has
never to date been harvested in the UK so there is an
opportunity to adapt or abandon old principles. The UK’s
first tea garden was planted at Tregothnan in 1999 and it
aims to develop an exclusive connoisseur tea as a forerunner
to a wider tea industry. The nearest tea production sites to
Britain are in Turkey, South Carolina and the Azores. Each
of these is confined to black tea and offers little in the
way of useful experience. The less familiar teas offer the
most potential for UK production: green, oolong, white and
others.
The German and UK tea markets are held to be the most
sophisticated in the modern world. There is a global
perception of the British being passionate about tea.
Germany is becoming powerful in sourcing and controlling
herbal beverages such as Rooibos and Honeybush.
The present international tea production and trading pattern
was largely created by the British although other European
countries – notably France and Germany – played a major part
in opening up trade of tea with China. The UK tea council
leads internationally in its work to promote tea and helps
advance tea appreciation and consumption. UK-based
consultancy is also highly regarded.
It must be remembered that a UK wine industry seemed an
unlikely opportunity in 1960. Now there are 300+ vineyards
and the French are investing here whilst a quality is being
established.
6) Tea Production
Total world production is 3,000,000 tonnes divided up as
follows:
|
Sri
Lanka |
20% |
|
Kenya |
19%
|
|
China |
18% |
|
India |
13% |
|
Indonesia |
7% |
|
Other Africa |
7%
|
|
Vietnam |
5%
|
|
Argentina |
4% |
|
Malawi |
3%
|
|
Other Asia |
2% |
|
Miscellaneous |
2% |
The
obvious challenge to the concept of UK Tea is climate. Yet
parts of the UK offer a climate for tea to rival some of the
finest quality in the world. The season is among the world’s
shorter: multiple cuts may be reduced accordingly. However
the first flush (picking) is the main one of worth in many
international locations.
Tea was considered once before as a UK crop. That was during
the wartime 1940s. It was almost impossible to bring in
sufficient planting stock and, given the 5-year
establishment period required, the idea was soon abandoned. |
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