Latest news with #DartmoorEstateTea
BBC News
18 hours ago
- Science
- BBC News
Scientists trying to grow Devon tea plants in space
Scientists are using plants from Devon to test whether it is possible to grow tea in space. Seedlings cultivated near Ashburton have been planted in soils which are similar to those found on the Moon and Mars as part of a research project at the University of Kent. The team said the aim was to be able to ultimately grow food in space for people who are based on space stations and the Moon in the future. Jo Harper, who owns Dartmoor Estate Tea which provided the plants, said it was a "mind-blowing" idea. 'New age of space' Prof Nigel Mason, who specialises in molecular physics at the University of Kent, said this could contribute to research into whether food can be grown in added: "We're moving into a new age of space, where we no longer just want to explore, but we want to settle space, we want to put people onto space stations and build bases on the Moon."As soon as you consider that, one of the first things you want to know is, 'what will people eat?'"The fun part of the project is to to see whether we could grow things on the Moon, but a lot of the basic work is also about how crops and plants survive harsh environments and poor soils, and poor soils are a big problem with climate change." Researcher Anna-Marie Wirth, 22, said she thought it was "really cool" tea plants were being tested. "Tea is a huge part of British culture and cultures around the world," she will monitor how the plants develop over the course of 30 days, with temperature, humidity and lighting controlled to mimic conditions in have been grown in space before after a small food-growing trial by Italian and American scientists. Kathryn Harper, from the Dartmoor Estate Tea, said people needed the drink, "even in space"."If they're growing it themselves, then those on the International Space Station would have access to their daily brew, their daily cup of tea," she results of the experiment are expected in summer 2025.
Pembrokeshire Herald
21-05-2025
- Science
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Time for more home grown tea cultivation?
ROWS of tea plants could become a more familiar sight on the hills of Wales and other parts of the UK in the future. Scientists at Aberystwyth University have been using machine-learning to analyse the chemical make-up of tea grown in non-traditional areas, including Powys in mid Wales and Dartmoor in south west England. They hope their findings will help emerging tea growers in the UK to develop breeding strategies, cultivation practices and processing methods which suit climate conditions in this part of the world. The research team are currently working with Dartmoor Estate Tea in Devon which is known for its unique microclimate and soil diversity. The study is focusing on six varieties of tea which have been selected by the estate for their adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and their potential for chemical diversity. Speaking on International Tea Day 2025, Dr Amanda J Lloyd, a senior researcher in food, diet and health at Aberystwyth University's Department of Life Sciences, said: 'This study is contributing to the growing field of metabolomics by providing a comprehensive chemical profile of tea grown in a non-traditional region. Our findings offer new insights into the adaptability of tea plants and their potential for cultivation in emerging regions, contributing to global food security and agricultural diversification. Further research will now need to be carried out and should include multi-seasonal sampling, comparisons with traditional tea-growing regions, and analysis of processed tea to provide a more comprehensive understanding of tea chemistry.' The study's findings have been shared in an academic paper published in Metabolites, an international, peer-reviewed open access journal. Dr Lloyd and her team have also been working with Buckhall Farm near Knighton in Powys which is pioneering tea cultivation in high-altitude Welsh conditions. The project was part of the first phase of the SBRI Agri-Food Technology Challenge, funded by the Welsh Government. The work builds on an innovative portfolio of research at Aberystwyth University focused on tea's health benefits, sustainable cultivation and consumer behaviour. Among other ongoing studies is the Better Brain project, which is funded by Innovate UK and which is currently recruiting for a trial investigating the effects of a supplement containing green tea extract, ginseng and omega-3s on cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults. The study is led by the Well-being and Health Assessment Research Unit (WARU) at the University, working with colleagues from the Department of Psychology and using advanced electroencephalogram (EEG) technology to assess cognition and wellbeing. Professor Nigel Holt from the Department of Psychology and the University's Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor, International, said: 'Tea is not only comforting but increasingly reveals itself to be a cognitive ally. Our research is helping us understand the deep biochemical relationships between tea's compounds and mental function. Better Brain is particularly exciting because it bridges nutrition, psychology and neurophysiology.' For more information on our tea research or to participate in current studies, take a look at the WARU website.
