A little Southern hospitality goes a long way in South Carolina’s Wadmalaw Island, home of America’s only tea garden, the Charleston Tea Plantation. Cindi Bigelow gives a fun and informative video tour of the idyllic plantation, purchased by the Bigelow family in 2003.
The plantation receives over 30,000 visitors each year, many of whom are curious to see a real, unique tea garden – in all its 127-acre splendor – and perhaps want to plan their weddings/special events on the grounds or to explore the rich history of Charleston or to simply just enjoy a lovely a cup of the plantation’s signature American Classic Tea.
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).
America’s Heartland, whose crew travels the country in search of stories celebrating our nation’s agriculture, recently featured The Charleston Tea Plantation, the heartland’s only tea plantation. The video tells a story of how the Bigelow family’s investment brought new life to a tea crop that dates back to Colonial times. It tells of the ups and downs of this plantation and portrays the vitality evidenced there today. Whether you are a tea lover or not, you will find this “All American” story heartwarming.
In 2003, the Bigelow family bought the historic Charleston Tea Plantation to preserve the heritage of tea in North America. Now just four years later, the plantation is thriving and producing tea. What’s more, with all the tender, loving care that the Bigelow family has poured into the facility, the plantation is now also well on its way to becoming a major destination for tourists and tea lovers!
Tourist-friendly improvements include a new on-site factory with a special layout that allows visitors to walk along a glass partition and watch tea being processed. A trolley and a bus have been added to take tourists back to the fields where they can view spectacular scenery and watch tea being picked and cared for. And, at the conclusion of the visit, guests can unwind on a rocking chair on the porch of the Gift Shoppe and sample iced American Classic Tea fresh from the fields.
“Over time,” says Mr. Bigelow, “we hope this will become a major destination for tea drinkers everywhere.”
Want to learn more about the Charleston Tea Plantation and its operation? Keep watching for our next featured post which presents a number of fascinating plantation facts.
Withering Bed – fresh cut tea leaves
Front of Charleston Tea Plantation Facility with banner for First Flush Festival 2008
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
News from the Charleston Tea Plantation: The first tea harvest for 2008 will take place this Wednesday May 7th. We will be building inventory for our First Flush Festival which takes place on May 17th. Go here for more information.
The weather continues to be dry here on Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina, therefore the leaves are a little behind their normal growth. However, there will be plenty of tea ready for the festival.
Put your order in soon for the First Flush Tea, call directly to place your order 843 559 0383. The quantity is limited!
Bigelow Teas Charleston Tea Plantation welcomes guests to celebrate the arrival of the spring season with their Annual First Flush event, a day dedicated to the entrance of the 2008 crop harvest. Taking place on May 17, 2008 on Wadmalaw Island, the 2nd annual First Flush Festival will offer a full day of excitement and revelry.
Throughout the day, the Tea Trolley will take visitors on a special route and provide an informative and enlightening First Flush Tour. Attendees can also observe the process of making tea in the on-site factory.
In addition to the plantation tours, food, live music and games, attendees will have the opportunity to purchase their very own supply of Charleston Tea Plantations 2008 First Flush Loose Tea. At an extremely limited availability, the First Flush Tea produced only with tea leaves from the very first spring growth on the tea plants has a unique taste of its own.
Tickets for the festival will be sold prior to the event at the Gift Shoppe for $8.00. On the day of the event, tickets will be $10.00 at the gate. For more details regarding the First Flush Festival, please call 1-843-559-0383 or visit www.bigelowtea.com.
With over forty years experience in every facet of the tea industry, William Barclay Hall knows everything there is to know about tea. Originally from Canada, Mr. Hall received his formal training in England in the late 1960s: first with Brooke Bond, LTD, then the largest tea packer in the world and later, with Van Rees, the largest tea trader in the world then and now. Interestingly, during his training, Mr. Hall would taste up to 800 cups of tea a day.
After mastering tea packaging and tea trading, Mr. Hall then went on to spend a number of years in the US food industry, buying and consulting about tea. He later became a highly sought after and respected tea broker, traveling extensively throughout the tea growing regions of the world in search of the perfect cup of tea.
Well, he found it – at the Charleston Tea Plantation – America’s only tea garden, located in Charleston, South Carolina. He purchased the plantation in 1987 and later partnered with Bigelow Tea, which has owned the plantation since 2003. Everyday Mr. Hall lends his forty year tea intelligence to all aspects of tea production at the Charleston Tea Plantation, ensuring production of the highest quality of tea. Together, William Barclay Hall and Bigelow Tea have transformed the Charleston Tea Plantation from a plantation into a beautiful and educational tourist destination as well. A “must see” for tea lovers and tourists alike.
The William Barclay Hall/Bigelow Tea duo gives new meaning to “Tea for Two.”
For more on Bill Hall and the Charleston Tea Plantation, go to www.bigelowtea.com.
After winning the R.C. Bigelow Incentive Program, territory rep., Aaron Lawrence was treated to a weekend at the Charleston Tea Plantation, which is the largest tea garden in the country. As you can tell from the photos, Aaron really enjoyed learning all there is to know about making tea. Aaron even made some new friends. According to Aaron, “The Charleston Tea Plantation is a great way to learn about tea and tea history. The staff is incredibly friendly and the site is magnificent. I would highly recommend making a visit whether you are a tea enthusiast or not!” There is more information on the Charleston Tea Plantation at www.bigelowtea.com.
