Tea is grown in a semi-tropical band around the world characterized by sufficient daytime heat, cool nights and intense periods of rainfall. Tea is thought to have originated in Yunnan, China, but has also been found to be indigenous to Northern India, and possibly Thailand and Burma. Major tea producing countries are: India, China, Sri Lanka, Japan, Argentina and Kenya. Other smaller producers include: Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam and Georgia (Russia), Australia, Turkey, Indonesia, Iran and several African countries. We often field the question: Can tea be grown in the United States? The answer is, yes, tea could be grown in Hawaii, and other similar climates, but not commercially, due to the high cost of land and labor to produce the tea. The camilla sinesis plant is available from a few plant nurseries in the US, and makes a nice ornamental plant which blooms with small flowers once or twice a year.

Tea is about 5,000 years old and has become deeply woven throughout cultures on all continents. It has played an important part in the history of commerce, ship-building, the formation of corporations and international conflict. Wars have been fought over tea. Marriages have been celebrated with tea. Tea is a part of the world’s culture from the Chinese tea house to the Japanese Tea Ceremony to British High Tea to people’s homes and kitchens around the globe.


By some accounts, India has more than 13,000 tea gardens, making it one of the largest tea-producing regions in the world. Strand Tea Company has relationships with estates in Assam, Darjeeling, Sikkim and Nilgiri, where some of the world’s finest black teas are grown.

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China. Where it all began some 5,000 years ago. China produces some unique and magnificent teas. Strand Tea Company offers both handcrafted tea from small family-owned tea gardens and larger, regional producers. We offer a great variety of premium high-grown teas from such well-established tea-growing areas as Anhui, Fujian, Hunan, Sichuan and Yunnan and the Wuyi Mountain region.

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The dry African climate doesn’t normally spring to mind when one thinks of tea. The Kenya Highlands, high above the warm, moist Lake Victoria breezes contain some of the most favorable growing conditions in the world. Most African tea is consumed domestically or is made for blending. Strand Tea Company feels that there are some outstanding Kenya teas with a unique, earthy flavor.
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Historically known as Formosa, today’s Taiwan is synonymous (in the tea world) with Oolong teas. Taiwan’s climate and steep mountain terrain have produced some of the world’s most sought after teas. At Strand Tea Company, we offer a range of Oolongs for every palette and price range.

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Formerly known as Ceylon, Sri Lanka, which sits just off the southern coast of India, is a region that propelled the fortunes of such well-known tea barons as Sir Thomas Lipton and others. Teas grown here have unique characteristics—from the low grown, bold brews of the Dimbula region, to the higher grown lighter “champagne” of teas from the Nuwara Eliya region. When Americans think of tea, they usually think of Ceylon tea.

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The climate in tea-growing areas of Japan varies. Generally warm and rainy, Japanese plantations are often in the hilly areas close to rivers and lakes. Japan is known for its green tea production, and Strand Tea offers many premium green teas from the region.

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Tibetan Green Teas are truly special. These Certified Organic Teas are grown at over 7000 feet at the Yigong Tea Plantation in Linzhi Perfecture. The tea gardens are at the base of mountain peaks providing crystal clear water, perfect mist and cloud conditions, and warm winds blowing northward through Himalayan mountain passes. The tea leaves are handled with exceeding care resulting in outstanding teas.
Tibetan Teas are imported exclusively by All The Tea Company of Portland Oregon and are available by mail order from Strand Tea Company or at selected natural food stores, tea and coffee houses nationwide.
All Tibetan teas and herbs are Certified Organic premium leaf grades.
Click here to find out more about our Tibetan Tea Project.