The search for the perfect tea was intensified when it was proven that high quality tea does well on the Estate in Cornwall.

From tea bush to tea cup: the first fresh leaves are plucked at dawn by hand. 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 be literally rolling the leaves between two surfaces, traditionally by hand.

Oxidation is then allowed by spreading 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.

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