Tea Plantations in the Azores

Did you know they make #tea in the #Azores? São Miguel is the only place in all of Europe where you'll find tea plantations. There are actually two on the island, both within a 10-minute drive of each other. I visited Gorreana Tea, a family-operated business since 1883 that takes pride in growing organic, chemical-free tea leafs with lots of flavor. Here, visitors can wander the plantation and factory free of charge, learning how the machines work, sampling tea (the green has a floral, non-bitter flavor) and perusing a gift shop showcasing local products like homemade jams and fruit liqueurs. They make both green and black teas, which I learn are from the same plant -- a shrub called Camellia sinensis; however, while black tea goes through a fermentation process, green tea instead is steamed. At the moment, they're constructing a museum to house old machines and artifacts. An awesome #artisan #island experience!