The typical backyard food grower is familiar with planting greens, tomatoes, peppers, squash, herbs, berries and other staples, plus perhaps a few exotic crops that are difficult to find at the grocery store. Beverages, however, aren’t usually at the top of their lists.
I’ve written about growing coffee indoors, but that’s more for sport than supply, as an average houseplant can be expected to produce only enough beans for a single cup. Growing tea plants in the garden, however, can provide enough leaves to keep your kettle whistling year-round.
Camellia sinensis var. sinensis, a cold-hardy variety native to China, is a multi-branched shrub best for growing in U.S. hardiness zones 7 and 8, although it may survive winters in zone 6b with protection. Camelia sinensis var. assamica, which leans more tree than shrub, is native to India and only recommended for zones 8 and up. Some other cultivars may push those boundaries.
These evergreen plants are easy to grow in deep shade to full sun (although part sun or light shade are ideal), requiring only well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH.
Young plants will take roughly two years to produce enough leaves for a sufficient harvest. In five years, a single plant should provide enough to supply a moderate tea drinker. Need more? Plant more.
White, green, black and oolong teas all come from the same plant, but their differences are due to harvesting practices and post-harvest leaf-oxidation treatments.
For white tea, pluck the buds from each stem tip before they fully open. Heat in a pan over low heat, stirring constantly for about 10 minutes, then cool and store in an airtight container.
For green, black and oolong tea, pluck two or three of the youngest leaves from each stem, along with the leaf bud from each stem tip, every 10-12 days as new shoots develop. Then proceed as follows for the type of tea desired.
Briefly steam leaves over boiling water, then spread on a dish towel and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Roll the leaves up in the towel and squeeze very gently to absorb excess moisture. Remove from the towel, separate leaves and place on a cookie sheet. Heat in an oven or toaster oven set to 300 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until dehydrated. Brew immediately or cool and store in an airtight container for future use.
Spread leaves in a single layer on a cookie sheet or tray and allow to wilt in a sunny outdoor spot. After 30-60 minutes, move the tray into the shade and toss the leaves every hour for 8-10 hours. Next, place in a wide pan and cook over low heat for 15 minutes, tossing gently as needed to prevent scorching. Cool, then roll each leaf individually to preserve its oils and flavors. Allow to dry completely before storing in an airtight container.
Place leaves on a baking sheet set in the sun for 10-12 hours to remove only 50% to 75% of their moisture, then cut into strips and roll into small balls. Ferment by placing the balls in a humid, 78- to 80-degree room until they turn coppery-black, then dry in an oven set at 200°F for 5 minutes. Lower heat to 140°F and continue drying for an additional hour. Cool and store in an airtight container.
Jessica Damiano writes weekly gardening columns for the AP and publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter. You can sign up here for weekly gardening tips and advice.
For more AP gardening stories, go to https://apnews.com/hub/gardening.
This image provided by the Missouri Botanical Garden shows a hedge of Camellia sinensis plants. The plant's leaves are used to make white, green, black and oolong teas. (Missouri Botanical Garden via AP)
This image provided by the Missouri Botanical Garden shows a small Camellia sinensis plant. The plant's leaves are used to make white, green, black and oolong teas. (Missouri Botanical Garden)
This image provided by the Missouri Botanical Garden shows a Camellia sinensis flower blooming on a plant. The plant's leaves are used to make white, green, black and oolong teas. (Missouri Botanical Garden via AP)
CHICAGO (AP) — Edmundo Sosa broke a tie with a short sacrifice fly in the eighth, Whit Merrifield followed with an RBI single and the Philadelphia Phillies topped the struggling Chicago Cubs 5-3 on Wednesday night.
Trea Turner easily scored from third on Sosa's 261-foot fly to put the Phillies ahead when rookie center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong's throw was well up the first base line.
Crow-Armstrong's left and throwing hand had been cut on a slide when he stole third in the fourth inning and was spiked by Merrifield.
The Phillies and manager Rob Thomson knew it.
“How effective is he going to be on the throw?" Thomson said. “We don't know, but we're going to take a chance.”
Turner, who missed six weeks with a left hamstring strain, said he's feeling good after getting two hits and scoring two runs against Chicago.
“Today I felt like there were some plays when I needed to be, you know, quick and needed to have that next gear,” Turner said. “Went for it and everything's good.”
All-Star Alec Bohm hit his 11th home run, a two-run shot, and finished with two hits as the Phillies won their third straight.
“The cool part about it is being up 3-2,” Bohm said of his drive that put the Phillies ahead. "But any time you can hit a homer you're happy about it for sure."
Philadelphia backup catcher Rafael Marchán hit a homer and doubled in his 12th game since being recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on June 11 after three-time All-Star J.T. Realmuto was hurt.
The Phillies, who have the majors' best record at 57-29, improved to 4-1 playing without All-Star Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber.
Crow-Armstrong drove in two runs with a pair of doubles for the last-place Cubs, who dropped their third straight and eighth in 10. Cody Bellinger had two hits and an RBI.
Crow-Armstrong said he didn't expect to miss time with “a good slice." Manager Craig Counsell wasn't sure.
“He's got a pretty good cut on his thumb,” Counsell said.
Phillies starter Zack Wheeler allowed two runs on five hits in six innings, while striking out seven and walking two. Matt Strahm (4-1) pitched the seventh and got the win despite allowing a run on Bellinger's game-tying single.
José Alvarado worked around a single in the ninth for his 13th save. Center fielder Johan Rojas made a diving catch of Nico Hoerner’s liner for the second out.
Tyson Miller (2-1), who allowed Philadelphia's two runs in the eighth, took the loss.
Cubs starter Shota Imanaga yielded three runs on six hits, struck out eight and walked one in six innings. The left-hander delivered a second straight solid outing after being shelled for 11 runs by the Mets on June 21.
The Cubs took a 1-0 lead in the second on doubles down the right-field line by Happ and Crow-Armstrong.
Marchán’s solo shot to left-center tied it in the third.
Turner led off the sixth with a single. Bohm followed with a drive 415 feet to left center off low fastball to put Philadelphia ahead 3-2.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Phillies: Thomson said both Harper (strained left hamstring) and Schwarber (strained left groin) were “upping the intensity” of their rehabs. The two were placed on the 10-day injured list after getting hurt last Thursday in a 7-4 loss to Miami. … Realmuto (right knee pain), on the IL since June 10, has started receiving drills.
Cubs: RPH Yency Almonte got a second opinion on his strained right shoulder and has been shut down from throwing, manager Craig Counsell said. Almonte, on the 60-day IL dating to May 8, has to decide between a strength program or surgery.
UP NEXT
The Phillies send LHP Christopher Sanchez (6-3, 2.41) to the mound against Cubs RHP Jameson Taillon (4-4, 4.03) in the series finale on Thursday.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Chicago Cubs' Michael Busch slides into home to score on a single from Cody Bellinger during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Philadelphia Phillies Trea Turner scores on a sacrifice fly from Edmundo Sosa during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Chicago Cubs' pitcher Luke Little throws against the Philadelphia Phillies during the ninth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Chicago Cubs' pitcher Luke Little throws to first to force out Philadelphia Phillies' Bryson Stott during the ninth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Philadelphia Phillies' Alec Bohm runs the bases to score on a single from Whit Merrifield during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Philadelphia Phillies Trea Turner celebrates after scoring on a sacrifice fly from Edmundo Sosa during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Philadelphia Phillies' Whit Merrifield hits a single during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Philadelphia Phillies catcher Rafael Marchán, left, and pitcher José Alvarado celebrate their 5-3 win over the Chicago Cubs in a baseball game Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
