Soil, Elevation, Climate

Tea grows best in tropical and subtropical climates with sunny, warm days and moist, cool nights. The world’s finest teas are grown at altitudes between 3,000 and 6,000 feet. Cool temperatures at high elevations retard the growth of the leaves, in the process developing their distinctive quality. Generally speaking, the higher a tea is grown, the more delicate its body and the more concentrated its flavor.

In tropical regions, such as Sri Lanka, tea is harvested year round. At higher altitudes, for example in the region of Darjeeling, tea is picked only about 6 months a year.