Tea Plant | 5 Seeds

Classification: Camellia sinensis (Heirloom) Foliage: Glossy Evergreen | Serrated Role: The Source Harvest Timeline: 3 Years to Maturity

The industrial tea bag is a compromise. It is often filled with "dust"—the sweepings of the factory floor. The true connoisseur understands that to control the cup, one must own the plant.

This is the shrub responsible for global trade wars, empires, and civilized mornings. Whether you prefer Green, Black, Oolong, or White tea, they all originate from this single, glossy-leaved evergreen. The difference lies not in the seed, but in how you treat the leaf after harvest.

Growing your own tea is not a "hobby"; it is a declaration of independence from the supply chain. It is a beautiful, white-flowering Camellia that happens to produce the world’s most significant beverage.

_______________________

The Curator’s Notes:

• The Alchemist’s Choice: You determine the final product. Steam the fresh leaves for Green tea. Ferment and oxidize them for Black tea. You are no longer a consumer; you are a tea master.
• The Virtue of Patience: Critical. This is a long-term relationship. The plant requires roughly three years of growth before the first harvest. If you need instant gratification, buy a box of Earl Grey. If you want a legacy, plant this.
• Ornamental Value: Even if you never harvest a single leaf, the plant is objectively stunning. It features dark, glossy foliage and delicate white flowers with yellow stamens. It deserves a prominent spot in a large terracotta pot.
• The Barrier to Entry: The seeds possess a rock-hard coat designed to survive centuries. You must scarify (file) the shell and soak them for 24 hours to wake them up. Nature does not give away her secrets easily.