Elmstock Tea

The tea plant is one of the Camellia family (Camellia Sinensis). The leaves are stiff, shiny and pointed, and the flowers, which resemble the buttercup in shape, are white with golden stems. The plant requires a warm, wet climate with at least 135mm (50 inches) of rain a year and well drained soil. It grows at varying altitudes up to 7000 feet. Elmstock Tea Company has a rich tradition of continuous involvement in the tea trade spanning five generations. 

The freshly gathered shoots are collected and a method of withering, rolling, fermenting and drying, produces the tea which is known as black tea. Black tea makes up most of the international tea trade and is the familiar amber coloured tea, full flavoured with a delicate aroma and should be without bitterness. 

Green tea does not go through the fermenting process and the leaves are heated (roasted in an iron pan or steamed) to prevent fermentation. 

In the final sorting or grading, tea acquires the colourful names that are used in the tea trade. They do not refer to the quality but to the size and appearance of the tea. There are two main grades - leaf and broken leaf. 

Leaf Grades: These have larger leaves and are classified as Orange Pekoe and Broken Pekoe. 

Broken Leaf Grades: Broken Orange Pekoe and Broken Pekoe

With Broken leaf types there are further divisions including: 

Fanning's: All small leaf teas. They make stronger tea than broken leaves. 

Dust: The smallest leaf particle size and it is certainly not 'dust from the factory floor' 

Because tea easily absorbs moisture and odours, it must be stored in a dry airtight container (not clear glass) in a cool dry place, away from direct light and separated from any strong scented items, such as coffee and vegetables. Because light breaks down the quality of tea, glass containers are not suitable for the storage of tea unless stored away from light.