Lexi Webster
Tea is grown and produced in northern Australia, with the largest supplier of Australian-grown tea being Nerada Tea. Australia's tea culture is similar to that of Britain, with tea often being offered to guests and small food portions served during morning tea and afternoon tea. The main evening meal is also sometimes referred to as tea. Australia's tea culture has also been influenced by the growing Asian population in the country, with elements of Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Taiwanese, Indian, and Sri Lankan tea cultures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History | Australia's first tea shop was opened in Queensland in 1883 by Alfred Bushell. The first commercial tea plantation was established in Bingil Bay, Queensland, in 1884 by the Cutten brothers. |
| Commercial Production | The Bushell Company, founded in 1899, was Australia's first commercial tea seller. Nerada Tea Estates (NTE), established in 1971, was the country's first commercial tea factory. |
| Regions | Tea is primarily grown in northern New South Wales and Queensland, particularly in the Cairns Region. |
| Tea Types | Black tea, green tea, Assam tea, and herbal infusions are among the teas produced in Australia. |
| Tea Culture | Australian tea culture is influenced by British and Asian traditions, with tea often served with "morning tea" and "afternoon tea." Tea is also a part of the iconic folk song "Waltzing Matilda." |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's tea-growing climate
Australia's climate allows tea to be grown and produced in the northern regions of the country, particularly in northern New South Wales and Queensland. The indigenous peoples of Australia are thought to have brewed their own infusions from plants such as tea tree, paperbark, and sweet sarsaparilla.
In 1884, the Cutten brothers established the first commercial tea plantation in Bingil Bay, northern Queensland. However, it wasn't until 1958 that Allan Maruff restarted commercial tea plantings in the Nerada valley, south of Cairns, Queensland, using seedlings from the former Cutten brothers' plantation.
Tea Estates of Australia (TEA) commenced tea planting adjacent to the Nerada plantation in 1969. In 1971, they opened Australia's first commercial tea factory, and in 1973, they purchased the Nerada Tea Estates (NTE), rebranding the tea under the Nerada name. Today, Nerada Tea is the largest supplier of Australian-grown tea, with over 400 hectares of tea planted in the Cairns Region, producing 1,500,000 kg of black tea annually.
In addition to black tea, Australian tea growers also produce green tea, Assam tea, and herbal infusions. Madura Tea Estates in Murwillumbah, New South Wales, for example, produces Assam and green tea, which is blended with tea from Sri Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon).
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Australian tea brands
Australia has a diverse range of tea brands catering to different tastes and preferences. Tea culture in Australia is similar to that in Britain, with tea often being offered to guests and served alongside small food portions during "morning tea" and "afternoon tea". The main evening meal is also sometimes referred to as "tea".
One of the most well-known tea brands in Australia is T2, which offers a wide range of teas, including black, green, herbal, and fruit teas, as well as limited-edition collections and seasonal blends. Their French Earl Grey, Melbourne Breakfast, and Sleep Tight blends are particularly popular. T2 also offers tea accessories and gift sets, both in-store and online.
Another popular Australian tea brand is Larsen & Thompson, which was founded in 1992 and specialises in high-quality single-origin teas from around the world. They offer a variety of black, green, white, and oolong teas, with their Darjeeling, Sencha, and Jasmine Pearls blends being among their most popular offerings. Larsen & Thompson is committed to environmental stewardship and sources its teas ethically and responsibly.
Madura Tea is another longstanding Australian tea brand, established in 1978 by tea planters from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). They offer a range of black, green, and herbal teas, as well as organic and decaffeinated options. Their Pure Assam blend, known for its rich and robust flavour, is particularly popular. Madura Tea is dedicated to environmental sustainability and sources its teas from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms.
Ovvio, a Sydney-based tea company, focuses on holistic wellbeing and natural remedies. They offer organic and biodynamic teas, as well as herbal blends designed to address specific health issues. Their Women's Balance, Immune Boost, and Digestive Ease blends are among their most popular offerings. Ovvio is also committed to sustainability and uses environmentally friendly packaging.
Other notable Australian tea brands include Nerada Tea, the largest supplier of Australian-grown tea, with over 400 hectares of tea planted in the Cairns Region; Tea Lovers, a family-owned business supplying specialty teas and tea wares to Australian cafes and retail businesses for over 20 years; and The Tea Centre and The Tea Crowd, which are also mentioned as must-try brands for tea lovers.
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Indigenous Australian teas
Australia's climate allows tea to be grown and produced in the northern regions of the country, particularly in Queensland and New South Wales. Australian tea culture is heavily influenced by British tea culture, as well as the tea traditions of Asian countries like Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, India, and Sri Lanka.
Jilungin Tea
Jilungin tea is made from the pure leaves and stems of the Jilungin plant (Terminalia canescens), traditionally harvested and consumed by the Nyul Nyul people of Western Australia. Jilungin tea is known for its calming and sleep-enhancing properties, making it a popular choice for improving sleep quality.
Cinnamon Myrtle Tea
Cinnamon myrtle tea, as the name suggests, has a pleasant cinnamon flavour. It contains elemicin, a natural component with antimicrobial, antiviral, and antioxidant properties. This tea is particularly beneficial for digestive health and can help calm an upset stomach.
Breakfast Tea
This breakfast tea blend combines high-quality Ceylon black tea with lemon myrtle, strawberry gum, and river mint. The result is a full-bodied, aromatic tea with a unique Australian flavour. Lemon myrtle aids digestion and has antibacterial properties, while ginger helps ease bloating and excessive gas. Beetroot and dandelion root are also included in this blend to support liver detoxification.
Lemon Tea
Lemon tea is a smooth and subtle blend traditionally used to treat flu and colds, as well as a skin wash. It combines organic peppermint, wild-harvested Australian native river mint, and lemon myrtle, creating a refreshing and uplifting drink that can be enjoyed hot or cold.
Sleep Tea
Native Sleep Tea is crafted with four indigenous ingredients, including Jilungin, to promote a calm and restful state. It has been used by the First Nations people to enhance sleep quality and improve overall relaxation.
These teas showcase the rich cultural heritage and diverse botanical offerings of Australia, providing a unique tea experience with potential health benefits.
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Australian tea culture
Australia has a rich tea culture that dates back centuries. The indigenous peoples of Australia brewed their own infusions from plants such as tea tree, paperbark, and sweet sarsaparilla. In the colonial period, boiling water for tea over a campfire and adding a gum leaf for flavouring was a staple drink. Today, Australian tea culture remains similar to British tea culture, with tea often being offered to guests, and "morning tea" and "afternoon tea" being common practices, sometimes accompanied by small food portions. The main evening meal can also be referred to as "tea".
Australia's climate allows tea to be grown and produced in the northern regions, particularly in northern New South Wales and Queensland. The first tea shop in Australia was opened by Alfred Bushell in present-day Queensland in 1883. The Cutten brothers established the first commercial tea plantation in Bingil Bay, Queensland, in 1884. In 1899, Bushell's sons moved to Sydney and founded Australia's first commercial tea-selling company, Bushell's Company. In 1901, James Griffiths advertised the sale of "Australian-grown tea" from his property outside Melbourne.
Nerada Tea, Australia's largest supplier of Australian-grown tea, was established in 1958 by Allan Maruff in the Nerada valley, south of Cairns, Queensland. They produce a range of black teas and herbal infusions and have been synonymous with quality and tradition. Madura Tea Estates, established in 1978 in Murwillumbah, New South Wales, produces Assam tea and green tea, which is often blended with Sri Lankan tea.
Due to the diverse cultural influences in Australia, Australian tea culture has been influenced by Asian tea cultures, including those from Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, India, and Sri Lanka. This has led to a variety of tea types and preparation methods being embraced in Australia, including green tea and herbal infusions.
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Australia's tea history
Australia has a long history of tea consumption, with Australian tea culture bearing similarities to British tea culture. Tea is often offered to guests, and it is common to serve small food portions during "morning tea" and "afternoon tea". The main evening meal is sometimes referred to as "tea".
The indigenous peoples of Australia are thought to have brewed their own infusions from plants such as tea tree, paperbark, and sweet sarsaparilla. During the colonial period, boiling water for tea over a campfire and adding a gum leaf for flavouring became an iconic traditional Australian method for preparing tea.
In 1883, Alfred Bushell opened the first tea shop in Queensland, and in 1884, the Cutten brothers established the first commercial tea plantation in Bingil Bay in northern Queensland. In 1899, Bushell's sons moved to Sydney and began selling tea commercially, founding Australia's first commercial tea seller, Bushell's Company. In 1901, tea merchant James Griffiths advertised the sale of "Australian-grown tea" from his property on the outskirts of Melbourne.
In 1958, Allan Maruff started the first commercial tea plantings in Australia since 1886 in the Nerada valley, south of Cairns, Queensland. In 1969, Tea Estates of Australia (TEA) commenced tea planting adjacent to the Nerada plantation, and in 1971, they opened Australia's first commercial tea factory. Nerada Tea, established in 1971, has become synonymous with quality, tradition, and a love for tea. Today, it is the largest supplier of Australian-grown tea, with over 400 hectares of tea planted in the Cairns Region, producing 1,500,000 kg of black tea annually.
In addition to black tea, Australian tea companies offer a range of herbal infusions, green teas, and bold black teas in loose-leaf and tea bag forms. Madura Tea Estates in Murwillumbah, New South Wales, produces Assam tea and green tea, which is often blended with Sri Lankan tea.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia produces a variety of teas, including black tea, green tea, and herbal infusions.
Some popular Australian tea brands include Nerada Tea, Madura Tea Estates, and Tea Lovers.
Tea is primarily grown in northern New South Wales and Queensland, with the Cairns Region being a significant tea-producing area.
