1. Buy or get some cuttings from a green tree plant from your local greenhouse.
2. Plant your green tea plant in sandy soil. Water frequently and add occasional fertilizer.
3. Place mulch around your green tea plant to reduce weeds and maintain soil moisture.

Notes

If you follow the steps above and grow green tea from cuttings, it can take up to three years to get a viable green tea plant for harvesting. If you want to grow a green tea plant from seeds, it will take longer to get a viable plant to harvest.

Ready to harvest?

1. Harvest only the youngest tea leaves and buds by plucking the terminal three leaves along with the terminal bud.
2. Allow the plucked green tea leaves to dry away from direct contact with the sun for several hours.
3. Once the leaves are dry, steam the leaves in a pan on the stove to a temperature of 500 degrees Fahrenheit for 14 minutes. Move the pan continuously to keep the leaves from burning.
4. To dry the leaves, place them in an oven at a temperature of around 225 degrees Fahrenheit for ten minutes.
5. Store the green tea leaves in a cool, dark place until you’re ready to use them.
6. Brew and drink as any other tea.

Voila! Enjoy that healthy-smelling green tea aroma.

Josh Burnstein