Gorreana, Tea factory in Ribeira Grande, Portugal
Gorreana is a tea factory in Ribeira Grande that contains processing rooms, machinery, and storage spaces where black and green teas are produced year-round. The facility shows how raw leaves move through different stages of preparation until they become finished tea ready for sale.
The facility was founded in 1883 as Europe's oldest working tea plantation and has operated without interruption since then. The same family has managed it through five generations, shaping its development over more than a century.
The tea production here follows methods passed down through generations, from picking leaves by hand to drying and sorting. These practices form an important part of how the Azorean community has shaped its landscape and economy over time.
Visitors can explore the facility on weekdays and weekends with guided tours available through the production areas. It is helpful to check the specific hours ahead of time, as these may change depending on the season or daily operations.
The plantation produces distinctive types including Orange Pekoe Ponta Branca and Hysson green tea, with leaves harvested mainly during the summer months. This seasonal rhythm shapes the production cycle and gives each year its own character.
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