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What is the real name of tea?

Published in Tea Botany 1 min read

The "real name" of tea, in a botanical sense, is Camellia sinensis.

Understanding the Botanical Name of Tea

The question "What is the real name of tea?" can be interpreted in a few ways. We can understand it as the scientific or botanical name of the plant from which tea is derived.

Here's a breakdown of what that means:

  • Botanical Name: This is the scientific name given to a plant, following a specific naming system. It's usually in Latin and consists of two parts: the genus and the species.

  • Camellia sinensis: According to the provided reference, this is the botanical name of the tea plant.

Details about Camellia sinensis

  • It's an evergreen shrub.
  • It belongs to the genus Camellia.
  • It belongs to the family Theaceae.
  • It is native to:
    • The Indian subcontinent
    • South East Asia
    • East Asia

Therefore, when someone asks for the "real name" of tea, and they are referring to the plant itself, the correct answer is Camellia sinensis.

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