Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


A budding Canadian tea industry?

Monday, November 3, 2014

According to the Canadian Tea Industry page on Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's website, "Canada does not have the appropriate climate for growing tea." It seems someone forgot to tell that to Teafarm, a Cowichan Valley, B.C., company that has been growing tea since 2010 and expects its first harvest in the spring of next year, as reported in the Victoria Times Colonist.

Though an Internet search turned up a few foraged and wild tea companies, Louise Roberge, president of the Tea Association of Canada, is not aware of any other Canadian farms actually growing tea. She's visited Teafarm and says the 200 Camellia sinensis plants "are doing really well . . . it's very exciting for us."

Roberge cautions that, just because she hasn't heard of any other tea companies doesn't mean they don't exist. "It's no different than 40 years ago, when we never thought that we had so many wineries across this country. Now we have wineries everywhere. Who knows what can happen?"

Though Roberge points out that most tea is grown in equatorial regions, she does mention a U.K. company growing tea in a comparable climate to ours. Since flavour is determined by the soil, air and water where the tea plants are grown, Canadian tea will have its own distinct taste (which Roberge can't wait to try).

Will tea become Canada's new wine? The verdict may depend upon that long-awaited first sip of Teafarm tea. Until then, we'll just have to read it in the tea leaves. BF

Current Issue

September 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

Tips for first year university students

Friday, August 29, 2025

The final weekend of summer is here, and students across Ontario will be returning to class next week. That includes at the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus, where staff, faculty, and volunteers are preparing to welcome a new crop of first year students. “There’s definitely a... Read this article online

Sterling buckle marks 170 years at Spencerville Fair

Friday, August 29, 2025

For its 170th anniversary, the Spencerville Fair is presenting a distinctive piece of Canadian silverwork that reflects nearly two centuries of agricultural tradition. The 170th Anniversary Spencerville Fair Sterling Silver Buckle was designed and handcrafted by Alex Dordevic of TRIBE, a... Read this article online

Ontario Farmers Share Yield Strategies Amid Drought

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

The Great Ontario Yield Tour held an event at Petersen Custom Farming in Osgood, Ontario, on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The farmer panel during lunch was one of the highlights of the event. Farmers and industry experts gathered to discuss yield strategies and the realities of this season’s... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top