Research Progress on Tea Breeding

Originated in China around 2700 BC, tea has become a popular beverage worldwide over the years. The existing diverse varieties fueled by sophisticated clonal breeding and cultivation eventually turned the country into an unchallenged kingdom of tea. Countless exquisite premier cultivars were generated as a result. In recent decades, the rapidly advancing science and technology that provides information, tools, and opportunities unavailable previously further accelerated the pace and scope of development. By applying the modern biotechnological and genetic techniques, for instance, tea breeding employing genome sequencing, gene editing, and bioinformatics has made many recent advancements possible. This article comprehensively reviews the publications on research in the arena to highlight the accomplishments as well to hope for the birth of more innovative and functional products and ever-heightened tea appreciation by the global consumers.