Dutch grower thrives with tea plantation in Holland

Jansen has no doubts regarding the demand for this plant. "In general, there is an increasing demand for local produce and health and this also resulted in interest from Dutch broadcast media." The finished plants can be purchased in several garden centers and online. The first European growers have already showed their interest - two Dutch, an Irish and a Swiss grower. And Jansen sees much greater potential.

Jansen has been working on the project for eight years. This long start-up period is due to the propagation. "It was not easy to get the plant homogeneous across the board. Also, it is not easy to make cuttings, and in addition the plant had to be absolutely hardy. However, the cultivation itself is not more difficult than that of many other plants. Crucially important is a healthy, rich soil. It must contain many minerals. On clay, the plant grows better than on sand, but then again sand has the advantage that minerals can be added more easily. The richer the soil, the more flavorful the tea."

The amazing thing of the tea plant is that all flavors - green tea, black tea, earl gray, etc. - can be obtained from the same leaf. It only depends on the moment that it is picked, how long it is dried, whether it is heated or not, and if additives are used. "But it definitely cannot be compared with the tea from the supermarket. That tea is machine-picked and produced with all kinds of additives, which makes it a product of much lower quality. I do not see the tea in the supermarket as a competitor; we are aiming for a very different segment."

In addition to evoking enthusiasm from fellow growers, gardeners and garden centers, Special Plant Zundert is still looking for ways to turn the tea into a real brand. "'Tea by Me' is the chosen name, but it would be beautiful if its unique aspect, the fact that the tea is produced here and is good for making tasty, healthy tea from your own garden, would be known to the consumer. To this end we are looking for ways to build a real concept."