Brew-tea-ful™ Tea Camellia brings afternoon tea to your home! Grow and harvest multiple types of tea from this one special plant: soothing green tea, rich black tea, refreshing oolong tea, and aromatic blossom tea.
Green Tea
Pluck the youngest leaves and leaf buds and leave to dry for a few hours in a warm location. Roll the leaves between your hands and then roast in a hot pan on the stove for 2–3 minutes. Next, spread the leaves on a baking sheet and dry them in a 200° F oven for 10 minutes.
Black Tea
Pluck the youngest leaves and leaf buds and leave to dry on a rack for 10–20 hours. Roll the leaves between your hands until they turn a copper color. Place the leaves on a tray in a cool location for 2–3 days to allow them to ferment. Next, spread the leaves on a baking sheet and dry them in a 200° F oven for 10 minutes.
Oolong Tea
Pluck the youngest leaves and leaf buds and spread on a towel in a sunny area, allowing them to wilt for 30 minutes. Bring the leaves indoors to sit a t room temperature for a few hours, gently stirring on an hourly basis. Roll the leaves between your hands until they turn a red color. Next, spread the leaves on a baking sheet and dry them in a 200° F oven for 10 minutes.
Blossom Tea
Pluck fully opened flowers and allow to fully dry in direct sunlight, in a dehydrator, or in a 200° F oven. Dried flowers can be brewed alone or added to green, black, or oolong tea.
Dried tea leaves and flowers can be stored in an air-tight container.
To make a cup of tea, place 1 tsp of dried tea leaves in a tea bag or tea strainer and steep in hot water for 4 minutes. Remove steeped leaves and drink tea plain or with milk, honey, or sugar to taste.
Recipes courtesy of Cottage Farms.