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[00:00.40] People who grow their own food are familiar with planting tomatoes, peppers, squash, herbs, berries and other common fruits and vegetables.

[00:16.07] However, they may not think of growing plants for drinks.

[00:18.99] Gardening expert Jessica Damiano recently wrote about plants you can grow to make tea.

[00:28.29] Damiano, who writes for the Associated Press, says that growing your own tea plants in the garden can provide enough leaves and flower buds to keep your tea pot filled year-round.

[00:45.82] And the plant to grow, she says, is camellia sinensis (var. sinensis), also known as the “tea plant.”

[00:57.24] These evergreen plants are easy to grow in any amount of sunlight, from deep shade to full sun.

[01:07.87] However, ideal growing conditions are part sun to light shade.

[01:15.30] They require well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH.

[01:22.48] Young plants will take about two years to produce enough leaves for tea. In five years, one plant should provide enough for an average tea drinker.

[01:35.76] If you need more tea, Damiano says to plant more camellia sinensis.

[01:43.99] Camellia sinensis is called the “tea plant” because white, green, black, and oolong teas all come from this plant.

[01:57.27] Their differences come from harvesting practices and after-harvest treatments.

[02:06.30] For white tea, pick the flower buds before they fully open.

[02:12.41] Heat the buds in a pan over low heat, moving them often for about 10 minutes.

[02:20.11] Cool them and store in an airtight container.

[02:25.70] For green, black and oolong tea, pick two or three of the youngest leaves from each stem, along with the leaf bud from each stem tip.

[02:40.30] Do this every 10 to 12 days as new growth develops.

[02:47.47] Preparing green, oolong, or black tea all have different processes.

[02:54.37] For making green tea, briefly steam leaves over boiling water.

[03:02.87] Then put the leaves on a clean towel and let them sit for five minutes.

[03:11.12] Roll up the leaves in the towel gently to remove extra water.

[03:18.02] Remove the leaves from the towel, separate them, and place them on a baking sheet.