Tea? (Bergamot and jasmine)

[SkyChild]

Does anyone grow their own tea or make herbal teas from bergamot? (I think that makes Earl Grey or something similar...?) I also saw something about jasmine tea. Considering I'm going to be growing jasmine anyway I thought I could always pop some flowers into boiling water and see what it tastes like.

I'm tempted to buy a camellia sinesis which I believe is the plant for making tea. But I'm not sure where to grow it as I think it would die in our winters.

Any advice much appreciated

[Sam.k]

From what I unders, tea plants can be happily grown in the UK, in fact Winston Churchill planned on planting tea all over the UK during the war.

[Snadger]

I grow Bergamot the herb and add a few leaves to a cup of tea to give it an Earl Grey taste.It also has wonderful red flowers, although a friend of mine who is an arachnophobe won't come near them as he says they resemble spiders!

PS I think commercially produced Earl Grey tea is made with proper Bergamot oranges though!

[veggiechicken]

I "think" jasmine tea is ordinary tea leaves with some jasmine flowers mixed in - not just a cup of jasmine flowers.

[SkyChild]

Thanks for your replies all.
Very helpful
So I will order a bergamot and camellia sinesis for planting up. I shall blame you guys when the invoice appears

[Monster]

Ooh, jasmine tea, my favourite. Jasmine tea is tea leaves with dried jasmine flowers mixed in, not just an infusion of jasmine flowers. Still, it won't be too hard to have a go at blending your own

[Jay-ell]

Snadgers right, Earl Grey is flavoured with oil of the Bergamot Orange, however the Bergamot hetb does make a nice tisane (if my memory serves me right as it's over 25 years since I grew it).


To make your own proper tea, you'll probably be disappointed if you use the leaves straight off the bush as they will need to be fermented and dried first, the amount of fermentation distinguishes green tea from oolong from black tea which, along with other factors such as soil, speed of growth, when the flushing was picked, can determine the taste of the tea to give it it's own unique flavour.

Camellia sinensis prefers acidic soil and I believe that there are two varieties - Chinese (which may be more hardy) and Assam (where the first source of tea outside of China was discovered).

Sounds very exciting growing your own tea - you'll have to get yourself a pith helmet.

[SkyChild]

What's a pith helmet?

I know about how you need to dry and bake the leaves to a certain extent. Willing to give it ago though even if I only get enough for special occasions!

[Jay-ell]

A pith helmet is a style of hat used in the tropics by Europeans, very popular with plantation owners in India and Africa, as well as the British Army during the Victorian era. Not only does it shade your head but it can be soaked in water which, as it evaporates in the heat, cools your head.

Indian Pith Helmet-Big Head Version from Village Hats.

I'd say go for it if you fancy having a go. You'd only need one plant as they can grow up to 30 foot tall - but are generally kept down to under 6 foot to make it easy to harvest.

[Jonny.D]

Mint tea,so refreshing

[veggiechicken]

A pith helmet is a style of hat used in the tropics by Europeans, very popular with plantation owners in India and Africa, as well as the British Army during the Victorian era. Not only does it shade your head but it can be soaked in water which, as it evaporates in the heat, cools your head.

Indian Pith Helmet-Big Head Version from Village Hats.

I'd say go for it if you fancy having a go. You'd only need one plant as they can grow up to 30 foot tall - but are generally kept down to under 6 foot to make it easy to harvest.

I have a pith helmet Used to wear it under my bee keeping veil to keep it away from my face. Keeps your head cool and free from stings

[Jay-ell]

I have a pith helmet Used to wear it under my bee keeping veil to keep it away from my face. Keeps your head cool and free from stings

Are you taking the pith



Well I'm hardly going to leave it am I?

[SkyChild]

I have a teeny tiny plant on my bathroom windowsill ready to plant out when it's a little warmer.
Love the hat!

[Snadger]

I have a teeny tiny plant on my bathroom windowsill ready to plant out when it's a little warmer.
Love the hat!

Bee balm (Bergamot) is similar in growth to mint. In the right conditions it will quickly spread into a clump.

[KittyColdNose]

I make herb tea with most of the ones in my garden. I think there are 10-15 different herbs, including bergamot out there.