Português
Español
Français
Deutsch
Italiano
Did you know that the oldest tea plantation in Europe, Chá Gorreana, is located on São Miguel Island, in the Azores Archipelago?
Since 1883, this delicious tea has been produced on this beautiful island, maintaining the original traditions of the East as well as the ancestral qualities of five generations of Azorean families.
All this dedication has brought Gorreana international recognition, so much so that in 2012, the matriarch of the tea-producing family, Bertha Meireles-Hintze, was awarded the Medal of Merit on São Miguel Island for her efforts in keeping Gorreana as a family business since the 18th century.
The Gorreana Tea plantation is located in Maia, in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, and today it covers an area of 32 hectares, producing approximately 33 tons of tea annually, both black and green varieties. The humid climate and clayey soil of the region favor the cultivation of the tea plant, Camellia Sinensis.
The main focus of Gorreana’s production is the international market, with tea exported to various countries that appreciate its quality, such as Germany, the USA, France, Italy, Brazil, Japan, and others. Additionally, the Azorean market is also a strong consumer of the tea, which is very traditional in the region.
When you visit São Miguel Island, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Gorreana Tea plantation and try this magnificent beverage.
Fotografia de Nuno Bicho
History of Gorreana Tea
There are several accounts of how Gorreana was introduced to the Azores. Many believe that Camellia Sinensis came from the East in the 18th century, having been discovered in China in 2737 BC. Others suggest that the plant arrived in São Miguel through the Azorean Jacinto Leite, who brought the seeds back from Brazil in 1820.
Gorreana Tea began being planted in 1874, with its commercial production starting in 1883 with the first kilo of dried tea. The great incentive for this plantation came due to the orange crisis in the 19th century, emerging as an alternative crop in the region, reaching around 250 tons of tea in an area of 300 hectares by the 1950s.
Fotografia de Magic Islands Rent Car
The Gorreana property is located in the beautiful mountains of the island, far from industrial pollution in urban centers. Thanks to the island’s climate, there is no need for herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, dyes, or preservatives in its production, making it a 100% organic product. The harvest occurs between April and September.
