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Does All Tea Really Come from the Same Plant?

January 18, 2016May 25, 2021 7 comments
Does All Tea Really Come from the Same Plant?

The answer to this age-old question is…sort of. All tea comes from the same species of evergreen plant, Camellia Sinensis. That means that other plants commonly referred to as tea like chamomile, peppermint and rooibos are not actually tea. Shocking, I know! It is the processing of the leaves that determines what type of tea it becomes. Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a green tea plant or a black tea plant. There are many varieties of Camellia but most are used as ornamental shrubbery.

Sorry, I couldn’t resist that one!

Sinensis vs Assamica

The two main taxonomic varieties used to make the tea that we drink are Camellia Sinensis var. Sinensis and Camellia Sinensis var. Assamica. Sinensis has smaller leaves and prefers slightly cooler climates. Assamica has larger leaves and grows best in warmer climates. Left to grow in their natural state the Assamica tends to grow into a larger tree.

Within those two varieties, there is a lot of genetic diversity. You might hear the words variety or cultivar tossed about but what do they really mean? You can think of variety as a naturally occurring phenotype or observable trait. Cultivar refers to a variety that has been selectively cultivated by man. 

The cultivar does not change if a plant is grown in a different place. Tie Guan Yin is still Tie Guan Yin if it is grown in Anxi, China and Muzha, Taiwan. Growers select the varieties they use for many reasons. Drought resistance and cold hardiness are both traits that may help improve production.

green tea leaves in glass
Anji Bai Cha – a cultivar known for its pale leaves
purple puerh cake
Zhi Ye – “Purple” Puerh

This article is just an overview meant to inspire further exploration. I find the best way to discover the different cultivars is to look them up each time you try a new one. There is no better way to learn than to taste your way through them all.

Additional Resources

Japanese Tea Cultivar List – My Japanese Green Tea
Varieties, Cultivars, Clones – oh my! – Tea Geek
Teapedia – Cultivar
Does All Tea Really Come From The Same Plant? – Seven Cups
GuideReader QuestionsTea
About Nicole Wilson

About Nicole Wilson

My name is Nicole Wilson and I love tea...a lot! I have been writing about my love of the leaf since 2008. My work has been featured on World Tea News, The Daily Tea, Tea Journey, and other publications. I am the winner of the 2018 World Tea Award for Best Tea Blog.

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Hey, there!

Nicole Wilson. Tea Writer and Educator
My name is Nicole and I love tea…a lot! I have been writing about my love of the leaf since 2008. My work has been featured on World Tea News, The Daily Tea, Tea Journey, and other publications. I am the winner of the 2018 World Tea Award for Best Tea Blog.

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