Tea from Sutherland goes on the market
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TEA is being produced commercially in Sutherland for the first time in the county's history.
Fledgling firm Tulloch Tea, based in Bonar Bridge, yesterday launched its first three premium blends containing a percentage of tea grown locally.
The date was significant in that it was the 10th wedding anniversary of the firm's founders, Chris and Lucy Williams.
Mrs Williams said: "We are thrilled to be launching these three blends onto the market and are looking forward to seeing how they sell and receiving feedback."
The couple planted 1500 tea bushes – Camellia Sinensis – last October on a one acre plot on their south facing, hillside croft at 225 Culnara, East Tulloch.
The plants weathered one of the worst winters in years and are now thriving in the heatwave of recent weeks.
A small quantity of tea leaves was recently harvested and is being blended with tea bought in from a Himalayan plantation – Glenburn Tea, set up by a Scottish family in 1859 but in Indian ownership since Partition.
Mrs Williams said: "At the moment we cannot produce anywhere near enough to sell a pure Scottish tea. We don't want to stress the plants. It is important that we give them a chance to bed down and that we have strong plants going into the winter.
"We won't be able to sell pure Tulloch Tea for at least another two years and at the moment it is about bridging that gap with the help of other products.
"We liked the story behind Glenburn Tea and feel that their teas blend well with ours."
She added: "Pure Scottish tea would command a premium price and we do not want our tea to be too exclusive."
In preparation for yesterday's release, the Williamses and volunteers were this week hand rolling the tea and filling specially designed and branded retail pouches.
Mrs Williams said: "There is no machine processing. Each leaf is twisted by hand – it is a labour of love."
The couple expect to have enough tea to make up around 200 loose-leaf packs which come in two sizes, 12.5g and 25g – enough for five or 10 servings.
They will be on sale through the Tulloch Tea website (www.tullochtea.co.uk). Purchasers can also buy tea infusers from the site.
"Once they are gone, they are gone," said Mrs Williams
However, the Falls of Shin restaurant is being supplied with enough of the Tulloch Tea blends to last it around a year.
