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Tea Plantation Facts & Worksheets

A tea plantation is a land dedicated to growing and cultivating tea, possibly in different varieties. Tea plants are also called tea trees or tea shrubs.

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A tea plantation is a land dedicated to growing and cultivating tea, possibly in different varieties. Tea plants are also called tea trees or tea shrubs. Tea is an aromatic beverage produced by steeping cured or fresh leaves of Camellia sinensis in hot or boiling water. Tea plantations are commonly found in Asia, South America, Africa, and around the Black and Caspian Seas.

See the fact file below for more information on Tea Plantations, or you can download our 30-page Tea Plantation worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

OVERVIEW

  • A tea plantation usually consists of small tea trees that are below a height of 1.5 meters, though naturally, these trees could reach up to 20 meters.
  • Tea trees are smaller in plantations because they are cultivated and regularly pruned and shaped to encourage bud growth.
  • They form what is called a “plucking table,” which is basically a large number of tea plants at various stages of growth.

HISTORY OF TEA IN INDIA

  • India is now one of the largest producers of tea in the world.
  • The tea industry in India emerged in early 1840.
  • It was under British rule when the first commercial tea plantations were set up.
  • At the time, China had a global monopoly over tea production.
  • The East India Company sought to break the Chinese monopoly through efforts to produce tea within the British colonies, such as India. 
  • As part of this initiative, Chinese tea samples were reportedly smuggled into India and Sri Lanka, then tested for commercial viability. 
  • However, the environment in India was not conducive to the growth of these Chinese seeds.
  • Breakthrough came when a Scottish trader named Robert Bruce, now known as the man behind Assam Tea, discovered a native variety of Camellia sinensis plant in 1823 in Assam. 
  • Robert was introduced to the Singpho people by a local merchant.
  • The Singpho people took leaves of a wild plant and dried them under the sun for three days before putting them in a bamboo tube for its flavors to develop.
  • Robert collected samples of this wild plant, then his brother Charles sent them to Calcutta for testing.
  • This tea became known as Assamica. 

TEA TREES

  • Tea trees, which are also called tea plants or tea shrubs, belong to the Camellia family. 
  • These trees evolve to become dwarf trees when they’ve been pruned and shaped for more than 50 years.
  • Tea plants are grouped together like bushes with evergreen leaves with a shiny surface and a matte underside.
  • The scientific name of a tea tree is Camellia sinensis or Thea sinensis.
  • Camelia sinensis has two main varieties: the Chinese variety called sinensis, which has small and olive green leaves, and the Assam variety called assamica, which has large and pale-colored leaves. 
  • Because of hybridization and propagation, more tea plant varieties have come about.

ECOLOGY

  • The growth and quality of tea plants rely heavily on climate, temperature, altitude, amount of sunlight, soil acidity, and terrain.
  • A dry climate brings a higher quality yield than a humid one.
  • The ideal average temperature ranges between 18 and 20° Celsius.
  • Tea plants can be cultivated at either low or high altitudes, but high altitude reportedly improves the quality of the harvest.
  • Tea plants require sufficient sunlight to stimulate the production of essential oils.
  • Permeable, deep, and acidic soil is ideal for growing these plants that can root down to 6 meters deep.
  • Because tea trees cannot grow in stagnant water, they are best planted on sloping ground which allows for natural drainage.

TEA CULTIVATION

  • In the past, it was more common to replant seeds as the primary way to grow tea plants.
  • However, nowadays, taking cuttings from existing plants is how tea plants are reproduced.
  • Once the cuttings are taken, they are replanted onto nursery beds and cultivated for 12 to 18 months. 
  • They are then replanted in the main plantation when they grow into young plants.
  • It is important to allot enough space between replanted trees so that when they reach full maturity, they will nicely populate the plantation area. 
  • Regular pruning and shaping will grow the plant to its preferred height of 1.2 meters.
  • It takes about four to five years before it reaches full growth, and the leaves can be plucked.
  • The plant is ready for harvest at the end of the fifth year.
  • From there, it will be pruned in intervals to maintain its height.
  • The average lifespan of a tea plant goes up to 40 or 50 years; some can last up to 100 years. 

TEA PLUCKING AND HARVESTING

  • Plucking tea leaves can be classified into three types: imperial plucking, fine plucking, and average plucking.
  • Imperial plucking occurs when the bud and the singular leaf that directly follows below it are plucked.
  • Fine plucking refers to plucking the bud and the two leaves following it, which gives the highest quality of the harvest.
  • Fine plucking keeps the plant in early growth stages and fosters new shoots.
  • When three leaves are plucked together with the bud, that is called average plucking.
  • It is crucial to not pluck the leaves separately.
  • There are certain Chinese tea varieties that include the 4th and 5th leaves.
  • There comes a time called the resting period when the plant’s stems will have no young shoots and is allowed to recover.
  • Usually, harvest time for tea occurs twice in a year. 
  • The first harvest in the spring is called the first flush, while the second harvest in the summer is known as the second flush.
  • Tea harvesters pluck the leaves by hand and then put them in big wicker baskets, which are then taken to a tea processing site on the plantation.  
  • The tea processing site must be on the plantation grounds because the leaves start to oxidize once they are plucked. 

TEA PROCESSING

  • The leaves that are made into green tea are heated immediately after harvesting; then, they are rolled and dried. 
  • On the other hand, black tea undergoes a withering process, which is de-moisturizing by blowing air through them.
  • Withering includes setting leaves on a hessian mat and having large heater machines blow hot air through them to remove moisture.
  • Afterward, the tea is rolled, and fermentation begins.
  • Fermentation continues in a cool, moist room to accelerate oxidation after rolling.
  • The tea variety depends on how long the fermentation process is, which affects oxidation. 
  • The next step is to dry the tea, then sort and prepare it for shipment.

TEA TASTING

  • For quality control, tea tasters are hired to sample teas.
  • Based on their feedback, tea companies work on the blend of the teas and the pricing they will offer growers.
  • Tea tasters will describe the tea’s color, flavor, aroma, and texture.
  • Some descriptive words to describe teas include bright, dull, and coppery in terms of color. 
  • For taste, tasters can say the tea is strong, thick, pungent, meaty, flaky, chesty, or cheesy.

LOCATIONS

  • China, India, and Kenya are the world’s top producers of tea as of 2020.
  • Kenya and Sri Lanka are the leading tea exporters, while Pakistan, Russia, and the United Kingdom are the top importers.
  • The Assam and Darjeeling tea varieties are grown most popularly in India, while Sri Lanka is known for producing Ceylon tea.
  • China and Japan are known for cultivating green tea.
  • Chinese green teas have a smokier flavor and aroma because they are roasted, while Japanese green teas have a grassier flavor and aroma because they are steamed.

TEA VARIETIES

  • These teas are derived from the same leaves but have different production processes, causing them to have varying flavors and colors.
  • Tea is classified into two main categories: true teas, which are made using Camellia sinensis leaves, and herbal teas or tisanes, which are a composition of herbs, spices, and flowers.
  • True teas infused with tisanes result in flavored teas.
  • True teas include white, green, yellow, black, oolong, and pu-erh teas.

Tea Plantation Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Tea Plantations across 30 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Tea Plantations. A tea plantation is a land dedicated to growing and cultivating tea, possibly in different varieties. Tea plants are also called tea trees or tea shrubs.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Tea Plantation Facts
  2. What’s The Tea?
  3. Tea Terminology
  4. Tea For Truth
  5. From Start To Finish
  6. How To Cultivate
  7. Pluck and Process
  8. Quality Factors
  9. Varie-Teas!
  10. Top Locations
  11. Try and Taste!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are tea plantations?

Tea plantations are large agricultural areas where tea plants (Camellia sinensis) are cultivated for the production of tea leaves. These plantations consist of carefully managed rows of tea bushes, which are grown in specific regions known for favorable climate and soil conditions.

Where are some famous tea plantation regions in the world?

Some famous tea plantation regions include Darjeeling and Assam in India, Yunnan and Fujian in China, Uji in Japan, Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka, and the Nilgiris in India. These regions are renowned for producing high-quality teas with distinct flavors and characteristics.

How are tea plantations typically managed?

Tea plantations require careful management to ensure optimal growth and tea leaf production. This includes regular pruning, irrigation, pest control, and fertilization. The plants are often grown in terraced fields on slopes to allow for better drainage and sunlight exposure.

What are the different types of tea produced in tea plantations?

Tea plantations produce various types of tea, including black, green, oolong, and white tea. The processing methods and level of oxidation determine the type of tea produced. For example, black tea is fully oxidized, while green tea is minimally oxidized. Oolong tea falls between black and green tea in terms of oxidation.

What is the significance of tea plantations?

Tea plantations play a crucial role in the global tea industry, providing the raw material for tea production. They contribute to the local economy, providing employment opportunities in rural areas. Additionally, tea plantations often attract tourists who are interested in learning about the tea production process and experiencing the scenic beauty of these agricultural landscapes.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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