Yunnan – the Homeland of Tea

This mountainous province in the far south of China, whose forests are home to the indigenous wild tea plant (Camellia sinensis), is the homeland of tea. Yunnan lies in the tropical zone near the Himalayas and borders Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam. The consistently warm climate and regular rainfall throughout the year create ideal conditions for tea gardens at elevations of 1,000 to 2,500 meters. The tea plants growing here are rich in “golden tips,” the golden-colored terminal buds in which the tea’s aroma is concentrated. They are rich in theine and give the beverage a beautiful color. The soil, climate, indigenous tea plant variety, and equally important skilled human work based on thousands of years of experience have built the name and reputation of Yunnan black teas. Yunnan teas are therefore considered among the finest in the world.