Cha Gorreana hails from the Azores archipelago in Portugal - one of the few places in Europe where it is grown commercially, thanks to the climate and volcanic soil conditions. It's a flavourful tea with a rich history dating back to the 19th century, the oldest in the western hemisphere. Azores tea is produced from the Camellia sinensis plant and its varietals are grown on the islands, where they seed quite freely. Green tea from the Azores is known for its fresh and grassy notes, whereas black offers a bold flavour profile. I was surprised the tea was tinged by salt on seaward-facing flanks of the extinct volcano. Hopefully, future generations of bushes will find a home sheltered inside the crater.

How to serve

For black tea, boil the water and cool to 90°C. Steep the leaves for 3-5 minutes and serve hot or iced.

Where to buy

Buy direct at £7.50 for 100g, including UK delivery (00 351 29 644 2349; www.gorreana.pt

Jonathon Jones discovers teas from around the world, finds new flavours and cultivation techniques, and takes English tea to Asia.