La Cumbre: Where British tea tradition thrives in Argentina

La Cumbre, a town nestled in Argentina's Sierras, preserves a distinct British heritage, most notably through its cherished tea ceremonies. This tradition was introduced by English immigrants, primarily workers and engineers, who arrived in the late 19th century during the construction of the railway and subsequently settled permanently. The article references writer George Orwell's assertion that "Tea is one of the pillars of civilization in this country and provokes violent disputes over how it should be prepared," underscoring the cultural significance of tea, particularly in relation to British identity.

Beyond the ritual of tea, the English immigrants imbued La Cumbre with a unique character that sets it apart from other towns in the Punilla Valley. This charm attracted wealthy families from Argentina's humid pampas region in the 1940s, who selected La Cumbre as their preferred mountain retreat. Their presence is still evident today in the numerous picturesque mansions that dot the landscape, testaments to that prosperous past. The town also holds literary significance as the final home of writer Manuel Mujica Lainez, whose house, "El Paraíso," is now a museum, adding another layer to its cultural richness.

The article delves into the history of tea cultivation in Argentina, noting that while tea originated in China and Southeast Asia, its introduction to Argentina was somewhat serendipitous. It arrived via a Ukrainian priest, Tijón Hnatiuk, who brought seeds from his homeland. His brother, Vladimiro, planted these seeds, yielding the first tea plants on Argentine soil. Subsequently, the Argentine government distributed seeds from Ceylon to farmers in various provinces, fostering the crop's expansion. Today, Misiones province leads in cultivated area, with Argentina recognized as the southernmost tea producer globally, holding an important international position in black tea production. The piece also highlights Casa de Té Folly, a charming tea house and shop in La Cumbre, run by sisters Magdalena and Florentina Ochoa Rolotti, who offer a variety of specialty teas and coffees.

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El Paraíso