Tea in Ecuador

October 1, 2025

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Hello everyone,

When you think of the Amazon rainforest, what comes to mind? Lush biodiversity, winding rivers, maybe even coffee… but what about tea?

This week, we are taking a fascinating journey to a place you might not expect to find tea gardens: Ecuador. Tea Journey writer, John Smagula, explores how a unique tea is cultivated in the heart of the Amazon and the incredible story of its path from this rich, vital ecosystem to the rest of the world. It is a story of discovery, unusual terroir, and the surprising places tea can thrive.

I was so captivated by this story, and I have a feeling you will be too. It really makes you wonder what other hidden tea treasures the world has to offer.

Find out more in the full post!

Yours in tea,

By John Smagula

Tea in Ecuador: From the Amazon Rainforest to the World

Explore the unique tea in Ecuador from Hacienda Sangay, the only tea farm in the Amazon rainforest, producing premium black tea, rooted in culture and sustainability

Previously, John has taken us on some amazing journeys to different parts of the world, shedding light on their unique teas. I highly recommend checking these articles out as well.

Check them out here:

By John Smagula

Selling Tea in Italy: Forgetting the Noise of the World

Tea sommelier Daniela Ferraresi has spent over 20 years promoting tea culture through her Rome specialty store namasTèy, located behind the Pantheon in one of the world’s highest coffee-consuming nations. Her store serves as a calm refuge where customers discover quality loose teas and embrace tea as meditation

By John Smagula

Selling Tea in Ghana

Ghana’s tea culture is entwined with an older tradition of herbal blends that are used as infusions, in soups, stews, tinctures, tonics, and even steam inhalations for medicinal value. Moringa and lemon grass top the list, and tea, which until now was seen as similar yet different, is beginning to find its place thanks to people like Clarissa Akakpo, a specialty tea retailer.

Tea Journey TEAm – Dan Bolton and I attended the 8th India International Tea Convention in Kochi, India. We met some very amazing people from the tea community, friends old and new, and also attended some great panel discussions. We will share more about the event in the coming days, so stay tuned.

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Until next time.

Bhavi Patel, Editor, Tea Journey Magazine

Bhavi Patel, known as Banjaran Foodie, is the editor of the Tea Journey Magazine and a distinguished tea and coffee expert with a background in dairy technology and brand building. As a trusted writer for renowned publications including Perfect Daily Grind, Barista, and STiR Magazines, she combines scientific expertise with storytelling to explore specialty beverages.

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Bhavi Patel

Bhavi Patel, known as Banjaran Foodie, is a distinguished tea and coffee expert with a background in dairy technology and brand building. As a trusted writer for renowned publications including Perfect Daily Grind, Barista, and STiR Magazines, she combines scientific expertise with storytelling to explore specialty beverages.