Dave MacDonald (admin)

This looks good - by cultivating #microbes that produce #theanine and mixing it into the soil, this boosts nitrogen uptake in the plants and theanine content in the leaves making green #tea more savoury and enjoyable - the same approach could help improve other crops as a natural alternative to #fertilizer

#theanine also offsets the jittery effect of #caffeine

#soil #health

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2417446-the-right-microbes-on-plant-roots-can-make-your-tea-taste-better/

The right microbes on plant roots can make your tea taste better

Changing the microbial community on the roots of tea plants can improve the flavour and nutritional content of the leaves, leading to a better-tasting cuppa

New Scientist
Feb 23, 2024 at 6:49pmWeb
Show threadAlex Bardsley Apr 8, 2024
@dave The root microbiome is an ecosystem and part of what wine folks call terroir. Support it and it will provide your target crop many nutrients, improve soil structure and so drainage and water retention, sequestering carbon in the process. But "tweak" it? "Change" it? What could go wrong? #tea #wine #microbiome #regenerative
Show threadDave MacDonald (admin)Apr 9, 2024

@AlexGBardsley the farmer's dilemma for sure - if you're into reading about this stuff, I highly recommend this book, it's written by a farmer-activist who lives in Tasmania:

https://www.amazon.ca/Soil-incredible-story-keeps-healthy/dp/1911668196

Amazon.ca