Exciting news indeed for tea-lovers in the United States: The Chicago Tea Garden, co-owned by tea blogger Tony Gebley, is the first to import and sell Zealong, the only teas grown in New Zealand!
These fresh, flavorful oolongs can be purchased through The Chicago Tea Garden’s website, and wholesale opportunities are available. I wrote more about this at the Examiner, and encourage you to read more about Zealong’s exciting story. As Tony himself says:
“Just as the wine industry has expanded into many new areas around the world, the same is happening with tea. New regions for tea-growing, such as New Zealand, bring new flavors to tea lovers, and we are proud to be a part of this growing trend.”
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I was excited to learn about Zealong. From what I know of climate and the tea plant, New Zealand has a great climate for growing tea–very humid and moderate. New Zealand as a country is also a leader in sustainability in many respects, and they have an active tea culture, so it seems like a great idea to me.
I was happy to make up a page on New Zealand as a tea growing region. Perhaps it won’t be long before I’m adding more teas to this list!
Alex,
I’ve tried the Zealong Pure (I am pretty sure it was the Pure) and it is really awesome!
.-= Lainie Petersen´s last blog ..Christopher Bourgea on LainieSips Podcast =-.
That’s awesome, I can’t wait to read some reviews of this and hopefully try some myself. I’m curious if it’s going to come out similar to Taiwanese or Chinese oolongs, or, if, like Darjeeling oolong, it’s going to have a radically different character, more of its own thing.
How exciting! It never occurred to me that tea might be grown in New Zealand. I must try some Zealong. Is it, by any chance, organic and fair trade?
Jean,
The tea is grown without chemicals, and using organic techniques. I believe that one plantation has been certified organic, and the other is in the process of getting certified. As for fair trade, that is really not an issue, as the plantations are in New Zealand and the workers must be treated and compensated in line with NZ labor laws.
It is delicious tea, and I encourage you to try it!