Why in the News?
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India clarified that a beverage can be legally called tea only if it is derived from the plant Camellia sinensis.
About Camellia sinensis
- Belongs to the family Theaceae
- Commonly known as the tea plant
- Primary source of green tea, black tea, oolong tea, and white tea
- Grows as a shrub or evergreen tree
- Can reach a height of up to 16 metres
- Widely cultivated on mountain slopes
- Thrives at altitudes up to 2200 metres
Required Climatic Conditions
- Temperature range of 15°C to 23°C
- Requires a warm and humid climate
- Needs at least 5 hours of sunlight daily
- Annual rainfall of 150 to 300 cm, evenly distributed
- Prefers slightly acidic, calcium free soil
- Requires porous sub soil
- Sloping terrain essential for proper drainage
Global Distribution
- Cultivated in subtropical and warm temperate regions
- Native to South east Asia
- Major tea producing countries include China, India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Japan, Korea and Malaysia
Prelims Pointers
- All true teas come from Camellia sinensis
- Herbal or flower infusions are not tea under FSSAI norms
- Tea prefers acidic soils and high rainfall
- Oxidation level differentiates green, oolong, black, and white teas
| Though coffee and tea both are cultivated on hill slopes, there is some difference between them regarding their cultivation. In this context, consider the following statements: (2010)
1. Coffee plant requires a hot and humid climate of tropical areas whereas tea can be cultivated in both tropical and subtropical areas. 2. Coffee is propagated by seeds but tea is propagated by stem cuttings only. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 |
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