Gorreana Tea

The tea plant is believed to have been present in the Azores since the late 18th century. However, it wasn't until the 19th century, amid the decline of orange production, that tea cultivation began to take off.

The region's humid, rainy climate, mild temperatures, and acidic volcanic soil create the perfect conditions for producing high-quality green and black tea.

The first tea seeds were brought from Brazil in the early 1800s, and by 1848, tea was being grown on various estates across São Miguel. In 1883, Ermelinda Pacheco Gago da Câmara, owner of the Gorreana estate, produced her first kilogram of tea.

The estate's rich clayey, acidic soil, combined with high rainfall and a humid climate, provided the ideal environment for producing premium-quality tea. Today, Gorreana Tea Factory harvests approximately 40 tons of tea annually from its 37 hectares of plantations.

Gorreana is dedicated to producing exclusively premium-quality teas. Grown far from industrial pollution in the expansive, lush mountains of the estate, Gorreana tea is entirely free from chemicals, dyes, or preservatives.

Situated on the island of São Miguel in the Azores, the Gorreana Tea Factory holds the distinction of being the oldest operational tea factory in Europe.

The tea is harvested between April and October and is 100% organic, as the island's climate prevents the typical pests of Camellia sinensis from surviving. Therefore, no herbicides, fungicides, or pesticides are needed.

The primary machines used for tea production at Gorreana are of British origin, dating back to the 19th and early 20th centuries. Gorreana's teas are made using the orthodox method, which is highly sought after in the market for its distinctive flavor and better preservation of antioxidants.

Tea is made from the dried leaves of Camellia sinensis, a small tree from the Theaceae family. During harvesting, the plant's shoots are picked when they have three leaves, which are then processed into black, green, or oolong tea through various methods.

To produce black tea, the leaves are wilted, rolled, and partially crushed. They are then exposed to air, undergoing a natural oxidation process before being dried. For green tea, the leaves are sterilized with steam after wilting, which prevents oxidation and retains their green color.

This method, known as the Hysson method, results in a tea rich in tannins and antioxidants.

Sol Deli is proud to represent this historic family business, bringing our customers one of Europe's finest quality teas.

Back to the producers

Products from Gorreana Tea

Choose from the high quality products of Gorreana Tea straight from the beautiful lands of Portugal where small producers follow traditional craftsmanship.