The Gorreana tea manufacturing unit and plantations are a not-to-miss factor to do on São Miguel Island within the Azores. Gorreana is at present the one tea plantation in Europe. São Miguel island is without doubt one of the few islands the place tea grows. Throughout your go to to Gorreana, you may study tea manufacturing, get pleasure from breathtaking views of the tea fields, strive totally different native teas, and go on a hike.
What’s the oldest tea plantation in Europe?
Chá Gorreana manufacturing unit (Gorreana Tea) on São Miguel Island within the Azores is the oldest tea plantation in Europe. Cha Gorreana is at present the one tea plantation in Europe. This household enterprise has an extended historical past. The continual tea manufacturing on Gorreana tea plantations began in 1883. The primary tea seeds had been delivered to the island from Brazil within the early 19th century. By the center of the 19th century, there have been a number of tea plantations on the island.
When was tea launched on São Miguel Island?
Tea was aimed to substitute orange manufacturing. Most of the orange plantations had been destroyed by the blight within the early 19th century. Until then oranges had been the principle Azorian export and the blight was threatening to set an financial disaster on the islands. It was determined to introduce various crops that might do properly within the humid local weather as a way to assist native farmers. Tea was one among them. Different crops included tobacco, candy potato, and pineapple.
The lack of information of Azorian farmers in rising tea brought on some struggles at first. The Sociedade Promotora da Agricultura Micaelense (SPAM) invited a tea grasp, Lau-a-Pan, to show native farmers the artwork of tea cultivation. And so the historical past of Azorean tea started.
By the top of the 19th century, as a result of main political and financial modifications in Portugal, the Gorreana tea manufacturing unit was the one one on the island that might keep steady manufacturing of tea.
The place is the Gorreana tea manufacturing unit?
Gorreana tea manufacturing unit and plantations are positioned on the north coast of Sao Miguel Island, within the parish of Maia, 30 km from the capital metropolis of Ponta Delgada. São Miguel is the principle island of the Azores, an autonomous area of Portugal, in the midst of the Atlantic Ocean.
The manufacturing unit is open to guests every day: Mon – Fri from eight am to six pm; Sat and Solar from 9 am to six pm.
How you can get to the Gorreana tea plantations?
Driving is one of the best and simplest way of attending to the Cha Gorreana tea plantation from wherever on the island. We rented a automobile at Ponta Delgada Airport on arrival and dropped it off on departure. It was simple and fast for us although it relies on the automobile supplier and your arrival time. On our departure day within the morning round eight am we noticed many individuals on the automobile rental stalls on the airport.
It’s attainable to go to the Gorreana tea manufacturing unit with an organized tour. There are a number of tour choices.
What sort of tea is Gorreana?
The manufacturing unit produces 40 tons of tea per yr. Since 1883 the Gorreana manufacturing unit has been producing natural inexperienced and black tea. The manufacturing unit produces several types of tea. The totally different sorts of black tea embody Moinha, Damaged Leaf, and Orange Pekoe. The primary inexperienced tea varieties produced at Gorreana are Hysson and Encosta de Bruma. I favor inexperienced tea and out of the totally different teas we tried Hysson was one of the best tea in my view.
What are the advantages of tea?
Black and inexperienced tea come from the identical plant referred to as Camellia Sinensis. The kind of tea relies on the best way leaves are processed. All teas include substances referred to as polyphenols that are wealthy in antioxidants. Out of all teas, inexperienced tea has essentially the most focus of antioxidants. Research present that average consumption of tea can have some well being advantages. Consumption of tea may assist to cut back the danger of some continual illnesses, may help to manage levels of cholesterol, and assist with weight administration.
Goreana manufacturing unit tour
You are able to do a free manufacturing unit tour on the Cha Gorreana to study tea cultivation and manufacturing. You may see the equipment that’s used to make tea on the Gorreana manufacturing unit and witness the method.
After the tour, you may get pleasure from a cup of tea on the cafe. Tea tasting is free. You may praise your tea with one of many native sweets. We actually favored their tea cookies. Inexperienced tea cookies with white chocolate had been our favorites. You should buy Gorreana natural tea and different souvenirs on the manufacturing unit reward store. They promote tea luggage and tea leaves in packs of various sizes.
Gorreana tea plantations hikes
Climbing within the tea fields of Gorreana is an unbelievable experience. The spectacular views of rolling hills coated in tea plantations surrounded by the ocean. There are two climbing trails on the Cha Gorreana manufacturing unit: the Chá Gorreana round path (Pequenho rota round – PRC28) and the Caminho da Agua da Gorreana path (Trilho Municipal – TM05). Throughout your go to, you may stroll one among them or each in case you have sufficient time.
Chá Gorreana round path
- Distance – 3,6 km/2,2 mi
- Time – between 1 hour and 1h30min.
- Ascent – 164 m
- Descent – 169 m
- Sort – a round path that may be walked in both course
- Issue stage – simple
- Route marking – picket poles with yellow and purple stripes
Chá Gorreana Path is a wonderful route that goes by way of the Gorreana tea plantations providing beautiful views of the tea fields and the coast. It’s a simple hike appropriate for individuals with kids. We walked it with our 1.5-year-old daughter. She even walked a kilometer or so however many of the approach Campbell carried her in a backpack.
The Chá Gorreana Path begins throughout the highway from the Gorreana tea manufacturing unit. There is no such thing as a highway crossing so it’s a must to wait when there are not any automobiles. The route is totally on a large gravel highway with somewhat little bit of a footpath. The start and the top of the path are by way of tea plantations whereas the center part is thru a forest space.
Chá Gorreana Path GPX
Caminho da Agua da Gorreana path
- Distance – 2 km/1,2 mi, return
- Time – between 40 minutes and 1 hour
- Ascent – 58 m
- Descent – 58 m
- Sort – a linear path
- Issue stage – simple
- Route marking – picket poles with
This path is without doubt one of the hidden gems of the island. It’s a really quick route however you get to see the tea plantations, the indigenous forest of the Azores Islands, and a wonderful waterfall. The very best factor in regards to the path is that it’s very quiet. Most guests do the round route by way of the tea plantations and never many hike this path. This path could be very quick and straightforward and it goes by way of the Goreana tea plantations as properly. In the event you don’t have time to do the round hike you may simply shortly do that one.
Caminho da Agua da Gorreana path GPX
Are there different tea factories on the island of São Miguel?
There are two tea factories on São Miguel Island the Gorreana tea manufacturing unit and the Porto Formoso tea manufacturing unit. The second is lesser identified there for visited by fewer vacationers. The Porto Formoso manufacturing unit is located in the identical space within the north of São Miguel, simply 2 km away from the Gorreana manufacturing unit. Not like the Gorreana the Porot Formoso was closed between 1980 and 2001 when it was reopened as a tea manufacturing unit once more. They provide guided excursions and tea tastings. The manufacturing unit is open for guests Mon to Sat from 9 am to six pm (5 pm within the winter).
Greatest locations to remain close to the Gorreana tea plantations
We stayed for Three nights at Pedras do Mar Resort & Spa and actually loved the place. It’s 24 km/15 mi away from the Gorreana tea manufacturing unit. The lodge has good amenities, the rooms are spacious and the workers is useful. We (particularly our daughter) beloved the indoor heated pool the place we spent hours day by day. The surface infinity pool seems to be wonderful as properly nevertheless it was too chilly and windy to make use of it. The continental breakfast was nice. The meals on the lodge restaurant was superb stay music each second evening is a bonus. I’d suggest reserving a room with a sea view.
Test the charges and ebook your room at Pedras do Mar Resort & Spa
There are a lot of nice locations to remain in that a part of São Miguel
| Casa do Mar | Quinta de Santana | Resort Verde Mar & SPA |
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The gorgeous half of Stingy Nomads, chargeable for all our land adventures (climbing, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a baby, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack slightly than to do a 10 000 km highway journey (truly any highway journey). Alya is an enormous fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.
