Question of Age

I wanted to see in Yunnan ancient tea trees. The Tea farmer took us along narrow forest paths to the 300, 600 or even 1000 year old trees. In fact, no one really know so exactly how old the tea trees are. There will always only be estimated on the basis of trunk circumference.

There are the plants of the species Camellia sinensis var Assamica the tea trees to be.

There are two types of tea plants:

- Tea bush , Camellia sinensis var sinensis, is widespread in China, Taiwan and Japan . Leaves are small, round and gives it an aromatic, mild infusion. The plants can only be up to 100 years old.

50 years old tea plant Camellia sinensis var sinensis

- Tea tree , Camellia sinensis var Assamica, originally from Yunnan. The plant has a single stem can be very high. The leaves are very large and robust. The tea trees, in contrast to the tea bush are several hundred years old.

Tea tree, Camellia sinensis var Assamica