Monte Metilile Plantation - Mozambique

This month's tea is a black FBOP and comes from the Monte Metilile plantation in Mozambique. A land of untouched beauty with an economy based largely on agriculture, its fertile soil and temperate climate make it ideal for organic tea cultivation. Local farmers are restoring long-dormant tea gardens so this is a very rare tea indeed.

Portuguese colonial tea businesses first started planting tea on an experimental basis in 1920 in this area, but was abandoned in the late 1930s. The enthusiasm was such that by 1950 there was more land covered by tea plants in Mozambique than any other African country, an honor it retained unbroken until overtaken by Kenya in 1960. Local farmers are now working with esteemed plantations around the world to re-establish the dormant tea gardens and increase tea production in this part of Africa. 

The strongly seasonal production pattern of a long, cold, and dry season between May and September means that 75% of the tea is produced between October and April, placing considerable pressure upon the factories forced to manage the surplus and the field workers who have to hand pluck it.

Cha Metilile prides itself on sustainable agricultural practices include bio composting and fuel from renewable eucalyptus forests and hydroelectric plants. It is bringing specialty tea production to a part of the world traditionally known only for its commoditised tea.