Camelliaceae

Jonathan H. Crane, Carlos F. Balerdi, andCarlos F. Balerdi

Camellia sinensis var. sinensis has been cultivated since ancient times in China and Japan and was first exported to Russia. Europeans first encountered tea when traders first reached China, and eventually tea became popular in Europe. The C. sinensis var. assamica tea was being used by indigenous people in India, and during the 1800s was grown along with imported C. sinensis var. sinensis. The hybrids from these are commonly used in tea-growing areas outside China and Japan. Today, tea production and drinking has spread throughout the world. Camellia sinensis var. sinensis is commonly called China type tea and C. sinensis var. assamica is commonly called Assam type tea.