The 2008 harvest at Bigelow’s Charleston Tea Plantation was one for the books, including the introduction of five brand new American Classic Tea varieties. As the only location in North America where tea is grown, the Charleston Plantation is located on Wadmalaw Island, just south of Charleston, South Carolina, and it holds a wealth of interest for any tea lover. The singular task of growing tea in America is just another step in the appeal of Bigelow and Bill Hall — our partner and world renowned third generation tea taster.

The number one question from public tours of the 127-acre Charleston Plantation site has always been: “Do you make green tea?” Bigelow Tea and Bill Hall were able to answer that question definitively in the spring of 2008, capitalizing on those unique conditions there that are amenable to growing tea. The introduction of the new American Classic Tea Island Green was a hit; after several growing seasons, Bill had found the green tea recipe that would pass his critical standards of quality at this one of a kind Tea Plantation.

The wait was finally over and the American Classic Green Tea went on sale in the plantation gift shop in July 2008 to incredible demand. It quickly became the #1 seller in the shop. Now we are able to offer this popular tea directly on the web! Also new in 2008 were four additional American Classic Tea Pyramid tea bag items. The large cut leaf teas, in a pyramid tea bag create a whole new experience for enjoying fresh tea from the Charleston Tea Plantation. American Classic Tea, Charleston Breakfast, Governor Gray, Plantation Peach and Rockville Raspberry pyramid tea bags are all for sale. See the new Buy 5 boxes, Get 1 Free web offer at the bottom of the page (Call 1-843-559-0383 to place your order).

New American Teas: Charleston Breakfast, Plantation Peach, Governor Grey and Rockville Raspberry

If you are a regular visitor to our blog, you might know that Bigelow is very proud to own the Charleston Tea Plantation. This historic site is the only place in North America where tea is grown today and it has quite a tale to tell! 
 
David Bigelow co-chairs the board at Bigelow and is the son of company founder Ruth Campbell Bigelow. As David tells the story, tea’s history here all began when a Chinese botanist brought the first tea plants to America in 1799. The climate of Charleston, South Carolina seemed to present the perfect conditions for growing tea. The area’s high heat, extreme humidity and ample rainfall combined to make it possible to cultivate tea in the “low country.” So, over the years, with varying amounts of success, tea was grown in Charleston.  
 
By 2003, however, the Charleston Tea Plantation was up for sale. Real estate developers were interested and the Bigelow’s ears perked up. “Our oldest daughter, Lori, was particularly concerned,” says David. Lori understood that the tea plantation was a one-of-a-kind gem and urged the family to do something. “We can’t let this place go away,” she said. The family agreed. As a result, the Bigelow family bought the plantation … and saved a piece of history. 
 
For continuing coverage of the historic Charleston Tea Plantation, stop back soon! Upcoming posts promise to reveal more details about the plantation and its operation. 

Fields of Tea Bushes

the growing of new tea bushes from clippings of existing bushes

Visitors on the Tea Trolley