Tea Growing in Phongsali

Found some interesting photos from a photographer named Alberto Buzzola documenting the tea harvest and processing in Phongsali, Laos.

Tea leaves are harvested from both 400 years old tall trees to low lying shrub varieties of the common camellia sinensis plant.  Much of this is exported to Yunnan, China for use in pu'erh tea

 Photo Credit:  Alberto Buzzola, 2013

  Photo Credit:  Alberto Buzzola, 2013

 

He specifically visited Ban Payasi, Ban Komen and at the Hat Sa Tea Factory.  Many people from this area of Laos are a part of the Akha ethnic tribe.  

Click link to see more photos from Alberto's portfolio on LightRocket.