Well, one positive effect of #ClimateChange...
Can Britain be a nation of #tea growers? Scientists say yes – and it could even be good for your health
Published: June 17, 2025
by Nigel Holt, Professor of Psychology, Aberystwyth University
"It’s not every day you find yourself standing in a tea garden in Devon, surrounded by rows of #CamelliaSinensis – the same plant species used to make tea in India, China and Japan. But there we were, in the heart of Dartmoor, picking fresh tea leaves from plants that are thriving in the UK’s cool, damp climate.
"It’s a surprising sight, and one that could become more common. Britain may be known as a 'nation of tea drinkers', but might there be opportunities for it to increasingly be a nation of tea growers? Our research has involved working with growers in Devon and Wales to explore the chemistry of UK-grown tea.
"We’re using a technique called 'metabolomics' to understand what’s going on inside the leaves, and how different growing conditions, processing methods and even fermentation (like making kombucha) affect the final cup.
"Tea competes with coffee to be the UK’s favourite drink, but almost all tea leaves are imported. With concerns about climate change, #FoodSecurity and #sustainability increasing, there’s growing interest in whether more food, including tea, can be grown in the UK.
"We chose mid-Wales and south-west England for our project because of their mild, wet climates, which are surprisingly well-suited to tea cultivation. Dartmoor, in particular, has a unique #microclimate and varied soils that make it an ideal test site. There’s also a strong local appetite for sustainable farming and agricultural innovation.
"Wales already has a tea pioneer in Lucy George, a Nuffield farming scholar who began growing tea near Cardiff in 2014. Her brand, Peterston Tea, is now sold in Welsh shops and around the world. She believes that slower growth in Wales’ cooler climate may actually improve flavour, making Welsh-grown tea more than just a curiosity."
Awesome start of the field season surveying 
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