Growing tea at home is an invitation to cultivate something both ancient and alive. Camellia sinensis is surprisingly adaptable, yet it has specific needs. It’s not a plant you can neglect, but it’s not impossibly fussy either – especially once you understand its background. Species & Varieties All true tea comes from Camellia sinensis, but within that species are two main varieties: Camellia sinensis var. sinensis Origin:  China Leaf:  Small, narrow, light green Climate:  Cool to temperate;...

In the pre-dawn mist of the Ecuadorian Amazon, an ancient ritual still brews. Men, women and children circle a communal fire holding gourd cups of guayusa (Ilex guayusa), a native holly.

In this conversation, Don Mei talks about how tea slowly drew him away from a career in music, the ideas people still get wrong about tea, and why paying attention to your own taste matters more than following rules.