Tea Advisor
Aspects of Tea Production
There has been much argument as to the origin of the tea plant. Both China and India have been claimed as the original source, and other countries in south-east Asia have also been suggested. It may be that in the future paleobotanists, who analyze the ancient pollen in soil samples, will be able to come to a firm conclusion. In the meantime, the most definitive study seems to have been made in 1958 by Robert Sealy of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
In a Revision of the Genus Camellia Sealy identifies two main varieties - Camellia sinensis var. sinensis and Camellia sinensis var. assamica. The first grows up to nineteen feet high, is hardier, has relatively narrow and smaller leaves, and is perhaps indigenous to western Yunnan. The second grows up to fifty-six feet high, is less hardy, has larger leathery leaves, and is perhaps indigenous to the warmer parts of Assam, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and southern China.
Robert Sealy also points out that groups of people in the second area used var. assamica as a stimulant, often leaving it to ferment in a hole in the ground before chewing the leaves or making an infusion. They did not use the plant as a beverage, until taught to do so by the Chinese or the British. He speculates that their method of fermenting var. assamica was adopted by the Chinese, who then tried it on var. sinensis, which turned out to yield a pleasant beverage.
The Tea Committee's scientific experts thought the conditions in Assam were similar to those in the tea districts of China, with regard to topography, vegetation, temperature and humidity. In fact, the Assam areas are more tropical than those in China and have a higher rainfall. These differences, however, eventually turned out to be advantageous for var. assamica. The scientist also emphasized correctly the need to choose areas with a well drained soil.
In 1836 Bruce was appointed Superintendent of Tea Forests, and given authority to open up two new plantations.
Bruce established new China tea-seed nurseries, belonging of course to the East India Company, at various places in Upper Assam - Jaipur, Chabua, Chota Tingri and Hukanpukri. At Sadiya there was both a China tea nursery and one for indigenous tea.
Tea | By Roy Moxham
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