Introduction
Tea (Camellia sinensis) is an evergreen shrub in the Theaceae family that is grown for its young leaves to make a water-infused beverage. Tea is the most popular caffeine-containing non-alcoholic beverage in the world and is second only to water in terms of consumption. The United States is the third largest importer of tea in the world after Russia and Pakistan with 3.9 billion gallons consumed in 2021 in the United States.
In the United States, tea can be grown in the USDA Hardiness zones 7, 8, 9, and 10 where the temperature range is 70-84 °F and with high rainfall. Environmental variables including elevation, rainfall, shading, soil type, and temperature affect tea flavor and can impart unique characteristics to the final product. Awareness of the potential to grow tea and increased demand for locally produced crops create opportunities for Washington tea production. And demand for tea plants creates an opportunity for the Washington nursery industry.
Research Highlights
Our research project is focused on developing effective propagation techniques and guidelines that are suitable for our region and can be adapted throughout the United States.
Fact Sheets
- Growing Tea in the Pacific Northwest: Tea Types and Home Processing (PDF)
- Growing Tea in the Pacific Northwest: Propagation Protocol (PDF)
- Growing Tea in the Pacific Northwest: Constructing Mist Chamber (PDF)
- Growing Tea in the Pacific Northwest: Planting and Establishment (PDF)
- Growing Tea in the Pacific Northwest: Care and Maintenance (PDF)
Video Tutorials
Harvest and Processing of Fresh Tea Leaves
- Washington Tea Home Processing (PDF)
- Home-Processing Black and Green Tea (PDF) (University of Hawaii)
News Highlights
- What we’ve learned about tea propagation in the Pacific Northwest
- Embrace the quiet charm of growing your own tea
- Tea terroir? Skagit Valley research could produce a PNW tea crop
- Skagit Valley researchers look into how best to grow tea plants in the Northwest
- Pacific Northwest-grown tea? Skagit Valley researchers seek to establish new crop
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