Business Central February 2021

58 | Zealong Tea Estate NZ tea gains international following Sue Russell After harvesting the tea is taken through a number of drying, tossing, and shaping processes, depending on the blend being produced. PRODUCTION PHONE 07 846 1294 EMAIL allensunited@xtra.co.nz www.al lensuni ted.co.nz Proud to support Zealong Estate ALLENS UNITED RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SOLUTIONS YOUR ONE-STOP SHOP FOR TRADE WASTE SERVICING & REMOVAL. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE & HYDROEXCAVATION, NON DIG TECHNOLOGY WHEN IT COMES TO CCTV AND SECURITY Experience the Difference Because the Difference is Experience Smartway are pleased to be of service to Zealong Estate, helping to protect their Staff and Property with state of the art CCTV Cameras and Wireless Data Network. Smartway Security Services Ltd www.smartway.co.nz info@smartway.co.nz Call 07 824 5566 Phone: 03 983 5500 waterfordpress.co.nz Your Business, Your Industry, Your News. DO OUR READERS KNOW YOU EXIST? J ust north of Hamilton, on the road to Gor- donton, is a tea estate that is gathering a world-class reputation for producing some outstanding tea varietals. Nestled on sloping hillsides extending over 48 hectares Zealong Tea Estate is home to 1.2million camelia tea plants, a processing plant, a visitor centre with shop, a tea-house and an event centre. General Manager Sen Kong says everyone associated with the founding and develop- ment of the estate is extremely proud of what has been achieved in a relatively short period of time. “Our founder began his journey for tea in 1996. He was, at that time, doing property development and one of his neighbours was growing camelias. He noticed how lush and healthy the specimen was and an idea ger- minated, that perhaps, the variety of camelia used overseas for tea production, could grow in our Waikato soil,” Sen explains. There’s a strong rhythm and flow to the year, guided by the camelia seasonal cycle. Harvesting of just the top three leaves from each stem takes place November, January and March, for a period of 20 days each month. “There’s a big lead-in to harvesting as we work hard to ensure the camelia’s are in the very best condition possible,” says Sen. One reason why Zealong Tea has taken off overseas, in markets as diverse as Asia to Europe, is that the New Zealand seasons run counter to those areas where most tea is grown. “The Waikato is known for its hot summer days and cooler nights which is perfect for the camelia to thrive. It creates the perfect level of stress to enable the nutrients to be directed to the leaves.” Another challenge is to maintain the Organ- ic certification the whole estate has. No chem- ical sprays are used at all, so the processes to care for the plants are very labour intensive. Once harvested the tea leaves are taken through a number of drying, tossing, and shaping processes, depending on the variety of tea being produced at any given time. Tea drinking world-wide seems to be having a resurgence, something Sen puts down to a more health conscious approach, intensified through the Covid experience. “The feedback we receive is that our teas are aromatically complex and provide drink- ers with a unique experience.” While the orchard was established in 1996, it wasn’t until 2010 that the Zealong brand was launched. “We had to feel confident that what we were producing was worthy of what New Zealand is known for; excellence in food pro- duction. We’re staunchly loyal to the Waikato and to all the people who contribute to our ongoing development.” Sen links with CEO Gigi Crawford, to ensure the strategic visions set by the board are ful- filled on a day to day management level. He enjoys the fact that every season is different. “It is unbelievable what we are capable of producing in terms of excellence in tea quality and the journey is on-going. We love being a part of the Waikato, a region known for its outstanding producers.” A trip to Zealong Tea Estate gives the visitor a real appreciation of all that goes into making their unique range of teas. “Our cafe/restaurant is very popular year in year out and its a lovely environment to be out in as you experience our teas.”