The World’s Largest Internationally Certified Organic Tea Farm

In the heart of New Zealand’s Waikato region, Zealong Tea Estate is attracting attention globally as the world’s largest internationally certified tea farm. From Organic Certification, its approach to sustainability, and no compromises focus on quality, Zealong is a producer that is truly unique in the world of tea.

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The Beginnings  

Tea is one of the world’s most ancient beverages. The flavour, aroma, and overall quality are influenced by its origin. New Zealand is known for its pristine environment so in 1996, Zealong imported 1500 tea cuttings from Asia. After a rigorous quarantine, only 130 survived. From those original plants, Zealong propagated over 1.2 million plants across 48 hectares to become the world’s largest Internationally Certified Organic tea farm.  

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Harnessing the Perfect Environment for Exceptional Tea

Zealong’s success is determined by its decades of hard work, overcoming unique challenges to create something truly special in the unique Waikato climate.

Establishing a tea plantation in an unconventional region meant culminating diverse expertise from across Europe and Asia together with New Zealand ingenuity to bring ancient tea production methods into the modern world.  

Zealong was the first to grow oolong tea outside of Asia, the first to develop new flavours using its single cultivar, and the first and only Certified Organic Tea plantation in New Zealand.  

For Zealong, Certified Organic means harnessing the region’s famous fog, ideal mix of rainfall, and sunshine, without the use of synthetic chemicals to develop tender, flavourful leaves sustainably for current and future generations to be proud of. ‍

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Blending Tradition with Artisan Craftsmanship in Every Cup

Tea has a rich history and is shared across cultures. At Zealong, the art of tea is protected through its blend of ancient traditions and innovation. Every tea leaf is fully traceable from soil to sip, ensuring the highest food safety standards in every cup.

Quality is paramount. Three times a year, skilled pickers select only the top three leaves from each plant for their tenderness, flavour, and rich nutrients.

Food safety is essential. Harvested leaves are sun-dried in an industry first purpose-built glasshouse before undergoing a carefully controlled withering process. The state-of-the-art tea factory uses advanced technology to monitor and adjust humidity, temperature, and airflow, ensuring precise oxidation and de-enzyming for each batch.  

Experience is everything. Tea masters control this meticulous process together with rolling and shaping techniques, refining and adjusting every second in a laborious non-stop thirty-six-hour process.  

Every cup of Zealong is the culmination of New Zealand’s pristine environment, time-honoured traditions, and decades of hard work and commitment. Zealong is more than just tea.

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The World is Watching

Establishing itself as a notable player in the global tea industry, Zealong has featured in media platforms across the world, including BBC Earth’s One Cup A Thousand Stories.

Creating a new precedent for tea cultivation in the Waikato region and a new industry for New Zealand, Zealong is a glimpse into the future of tea production with exports to Germany, the UK, the USA, and China.  

Rare, Certified Organic, and Sustainable, Zealong’s premium whole leaf tea delivers an exceptional brew that has won international awards year after year including a coveted Lifetime Achievement Award from global industry experts for Zealong’s contribution to the tea industry.

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Looking for quality in every leaf? We know a place.