What a treat to look out my window and see this camellia blooming today. I planted this and a small leaf variety three years ago and have just been in waiting for the time when I can start to harvest (each plant has it's own flavor I find) the leaves to make green and black tea in-house, it's going to be another couple years but it makes me feel a bit on the warm-fuzzy side to see how well they are doing.
I have other more mature tea plants (caffein producing) that I harvest from, including the Yupon of which I've talked about in another post, yet, every green friend in the garden contributes to the whole -- when they do well, I do well.
I have not been a coffee person for some time, so the teas are my jam, both herbal and caffeinated (leaded..lol), being able to supply my needs without having to import them from outside the property is such a powerful, radical thing that makes me smile and feel proud as this is a relationship with the earth that deepens my experience in life.
If you love green and black tea and can grow camellia sinensis, I highly suggest giving it a go.
