The search for the perfect tea was intensified when it was proven that high quality tea really thrives in certain places on the Tregothnan Estate in Cornwall.

From tea bush to tea cup: the first fresh leaves are plucked by hand, from sunrise. The 2 leaves and a bud are quickly taken to the withering racks where they are usually laid, supported by bamboo. They leaves are gently withered to allow softening.

Rolling then takes place if we are processing black tea. This can literally be rolling the leaves between two surfaces, traditionally by hand.

Oxidation is then allowed by spreading the leaves on a surface at a controlled temperature- this stage is also known as fermentation.

As the natural liquid in the cells interact the colour changes from green to brown. The final stage is then to dry the leaves to 2% moisture.  Green tea varies from the above in that oxidation is replaced by steaming, this retains the green leaf colour.

All processes are entirely free of chemicals and have been sustainable for 4 millennia.  36 hours after plucking the fresh leaves the tea is ready for drinking. Blending is a vitally important part of creating tea brand identity. Tregothnan is developing blends that really identify quintessential english tastes by blending traditional imported teas added to our own leaves. Our brand is unique in many respects, not least in that it is putting the 'English' into English tea. We are working on other quintessentially British items now; many of our herbal infusions have not been grown in the UK before and yet produce exceptional results.

We hope you enjoy the results of our passionate work with tea,try some today.