Camellia Sinensis

Definition

Camellia sinensis is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the family Theaceae, the same genus as ornamental camellias. Every true tea, from Silver Needle to Assam CTC, is made from its leaves and buds. The differences between tea types come from cultivar, growing conditions and, above all, processing: how much the leaf is oxidized, whether it is heated, rolled, roasted, fermented or aged. The plant originated in the region where southwest China, northern Myanmar and northeast India meet. Two main varieties are recognized: var. sinensis, the small-leaf, cold-hardy type grown across most of China, Japan and Taiwan, and var. assamica, the large-leaf type of Yunnan, Assam and much of tropical tea country. Linnaeus first described the plant as Thea sinensis in 1753; the name Camellia sinensis was established in 1887. Left unpruned, tea plants grow into trees; old assamica trees in Yunnan reach well over 10 meters. On plantations, bushes are kept at about waist height so pickers can work a flat plucking table and the plant keeps producing tender new shoots. Anything brewed from other plants, such as rooibos, mint or chamomile, is a tisane rather than tea.