Maui Tea Farm

Did you know there’s a tea farm in Upcountry Maui? Yes, and it was here that we had another Yelp Elite event, on the slopes of Haleakala at the 4,000 ft. elevation. A group of us got together to tour the farm and learn about how tea grows, how it’s harvested, and how it becomes the different types of tea that we drink.

Andrea, the owner, explained the history of the farm and how they got started from humble roots to the present day. With her husband and some helpers they manage a couple of properties, growing tea and other herbs, fruit trees and flowers. They have a cute little gift shop selling their products and items related to tea culture. It’s a great place to stop on your way down from visiting Haleakala Crater!

Yvonne walked us through much of the property and explained some of the history of tea, and showed us other aromatic plants and flowers like lavender. She then took us to their cute gazebo where we got to taste various teas and herbal brews like mamaki and chai. Each little cup was savored and we could compare the flavors. I learned that white tea has the highest level of caffeine, which is surprising since it makes such a pale brew.

At the end we wer invited to create our own beautiful flower bouquets with roses, carnations, and daisies. What a nice way to end a very pleasant afternoon.