From tea plantation to your cup

The origin of tea
Tea is the most consumed beverage in the world after water, yet we rarely consider the care and attention that goes into making that single cup. What seems so natural to us—steeping tea in water—often begins thousands of miles away, on the slopes of mountainous regions where the tea plant Camellia sinensis has been cultivated for centuries.

Tea originated in China, where it was already consumed thousands of years ago. According to Chinese legend, Emperor Shennong discovered tea when leaves from a tea bush swirled into his boiling water, releasing a pleasant aroma. Other stories attribute the discovery to the Indian monk Bodhidharma or the mythical Loe-Ju. From China, tea also reached Japan, where the Japanese tea ceremony originated in the 13th century. Tea was first mentioned in Europe in a Venetian travelogue in 1559. Around 1610, Dutch traders brought the first tea to the Netherlands, and in the 17th century, the Dutch East India Company (VOC) began importing large quantities from China via Batavia. In the 18th century, tea became increasingly popular, and the Netherlands and other European countries began establishing their own plantations in Asia, including Java, Sumatra, India, and Sri Lanka.

Initially, tea was a luxury product enjoyed only by the wealthy, often in special teahouses or tea domes. Later, it became an everyday drink that remained popular worldwide.

Famous tea countries and their character
The tea we drink comes from all corners of the world: from the misty mountains of China, the vast plains of India, the green hills of Sri Lanka, but also from countries like Japan and Kenya. China is the origin of tea, known for green, black, oolong, white, and yellow teas, with production in provinces like Yunnan and Sichuan. India produces strong black tea from regions like Assam and slightly floral Darjeeling tea from the Himalayas.
Sri Lanka is known for its black tea, formerly known as Ceylon tea, produced in the region with a subtropical climate.
An important country for green tea is Japan and the production of other types of tea.
Famous for its high-quality oolong tea with complex aromas, Taiwan
Other regions: Kenya, Vietnam, Turkey and Indonesia are also major tea producers.

In tea, you taste the unique environmental elements that give each tea from a specific region a unique and distinctive character.

From leaf to cup: the oxidation process
Turning fresh leaves into a fragrant cup of tea requires careful processing. The young leaves of the Camellia sinensis are hand-picked, then dried and oxidized to varying degrees. The degree of oxidation determines the type of tea produced.

Green tea, for example, is briefly steamed and not oxidized, preserving its fresh, herbal flavor. Oolong tea, on the other hand, acquires its full, lightly roasted aromas through the partial oxidation and roasting of the leaves. Black tea undergoes full oxidation, resulting in a vibrant color and depth. White tea is minimally processed, giving it a subtle and refined character.

Fermentation: the special Pu-Erh
Pu-Erh is a unique Chinese tea known for its earthy, rich flavor and complex aroma. The leaves are fermented and aged, resulting in a deep, full flavor that becomes even more refined with age. Pu-Erh is often enjoyed for its unique character and its potential to support healthy digestion.
I write more about this in the blog "Everything explained about the oxidation and fermentation process of tea".

Tea and a healthy lifestyle
Besides tea's versatility and flavor, many people also appreciate the peace and relaxation it brings. Tea naturally contains antioxidants and a small amount of caffeine and has been consumed for centuries as part of a healthy lifestyle. The quality of the leaves and the way the tea is prepared play a significant role in this; carefully selected tea not only offers a pure flavor but also a sense of well-being.

Our promise of quality
But before those leaves reach your cup, they travel a long way. On our website, you can also find a tea map showing the different countries where our tea comes from. They are hand-picked, carefully processed and dried, and then packaged to preserve their quality. This process involves a lot of work. The tea must be protected from moisture and external influences during transit, and once it arrives in Europe, strict food safety regulations apply. Here in the Netherlands, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) ensures that tea meets the highest standards. For you, that means: what you drink is not only pure and flavorful, but also guaranteed safe.

At Thee van Anke, we carefully select our suppliers, paying close attention to provenance and quality, because we believe that as a tea lover, you deserve only the best. Every batch of tea we offer is meticulously selected, so you can enjoy it with peace of mind. And perhaps you'll even taste it in that first sip: a touch of history, a journey across oceans, and the promise of quality and craftsmanship. Because a cup of tea is never just a cup of tea; it's a world unto itself.

Discover the world of tea for yourself on our website and be carried away by the flavors, scents, and stories behind each leaf.

Warm regards,
Anke