The leaves of this plant are used to make tea, the most popular caffinated drink in the world. A small evergreen tree, it is usually pruned to a 4ft bush size to facilitate harvest of the leaves. To harvest - pluck 2 leaves from the end of each growing tip at weekly intervals. For Green Tea: roast the leaves at a low heat for several hours to stop fermentation before storage or making into tea. For Black Tea: the leaves are wilted, crushed, fermented and then dried. Like other Camellia species, tea likes an acid soil and will grow in sun or part shade. Can also be grown indoors. Lightly scented white flowers with yellow centers, fall bloomer.