Does Tea Grow in California?
We planted our first tea plants in October 2019. But, it was years before that when we asked the question, "Can we grow tea in Northern California?"
That simple question began a challenging but fantastic journey. A journey that feels like it is still just beginning.
Life at the Farm
Today our 161-acre farm has just over 1,000 tea plants nestled amongst the oaks and pines. We have four spring-fed reservoirs, miles of hiking trails, and views of Mt. Lassen and Burney Mountain.
While developing the farm, we are purposefully building diversity by sourcing different varieties of tea plants from around the world. This includes well-known cultivars such as Fu Ding, Jin Guan Yin, and Long Jing 43 from China.
In the coming years, we will add 1-2,000 more tea plants to the farm.
Preserving History
In 2021 we learned of a traditional Japanese teahouse that was going to be demolished to make way for a new home. We purchased it in spring 2022 and recently moved it 200 miles to our farm.
This teahouse will be a special place to slow down and build relationships over a cup of tea.
A Visit to the Farm
Future visitors to the farm will be able to follow a tea's journey from seed to cup. You will learn how tea plants are grown, participate in plucking and processing tea, and ultimately drink a cup of tea you helped make.