Scientists in the UK are exploring whether tea plants from Devon could survive in space-like conditions, and in particular, on the Moon. The experiment is part of a new research project by the University of Kent.
Twelve young tea plants, grown near Ashburton and supplied by Dartmoor Estate Tea, have been planted in soil designed to mimic that found on the Moon and Mars.
A Step Toward Growing Food in Space
The researchers hope this will help answer a key question for future space travel: can we grow food beyond Earth?
Prof Nigel Mason, a molecular physics expert at the University of Kent, explained the wider goal.
“We’re moving into a new age of space where we no longer just want to explore but we want to settle space,” he said. “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 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. Poor soils are a big problem with climate change.”
Tea Plants Under the Microscope
Over a 30-day period, researchers will monitor how the plants develop in lab conditions where temperature, humidity and lighting are tightly controlled to match space environments.
Anna-Marie Wirth, a 22-year-old researcher involved in the study, shared her enthusiasm.
“Tea is a huge part of British culture and cultures around the world,” she added.
From Dartmoor to Deep Space
The tea plants used in the experiment were provided by Jo Harper of Dartmoor Estate Tea. She called the idea “mind-blowing”.
Her colleague, Kathryn Harper, also stressed the cultural importance of the drink.
“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 added.
The results of the experiment are expected by summer 2025. Previous space farming trials have already shown that plants can grow in microgravity, and now scientists are keen to push the limits further, with a brew that’s out of this world.
