[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Re: Shade-Grown Tea??
- To: carolinabirds@duke.edu
- Subject: Re: Shade-Grown Tea??
- From: Burnetted@aol.com
- Date: Sat, 4 Jan 2003 16:34:21 EST
- Delivered-to: pardo@metalab.unc.edu
- Sender: carolinabirds-owner@acpub.duke.edu
Carolina Birders:
If you tea-drinking birders are in the Charleston area, you might want to
check out "the only tea plantation in America" by visiting the nearby
Charleston Tea Plantation to see how tea plants are grown.
American Classic Tea, which is produced by the Charleston Tea Plantation, is
available at many of the larger grocery stores. (We've been buying it at the
local Harris Teeter for several years.) The box says that they are
"environmentally responsible," and goes on to say that the tea bags do not
contain any insecticides, fungicides, paper overwraps, paper tags, strings,
or metal staples. I just did a quick search on the Internet and found the
article pasted below, if you're interested in knowing more about it.
Disclaimer: I am not connected in any way with the tea company (other than
using their product), grocery stores, etc., nor will I benefit in any way
from you trying their tea. I have never visited Charleston Tea Plantation,
myself, but understand that Eastern Towhees, which do occur in the Charleston
area and possibly are near the tea plantation, reportedly suggest that you
"drink your tea." (Sorry; I had to get this thread back on to birding.)
Dennis Burnette
Greensboro, NC
burnetted@aol.com
*****
http://coastal-sc.com/tea/
Let's Talk Tea! American Classic Tea
American Classic Tea, the only tea grown in America, is produced 20 miles
south of Charleston, South Carolina, deep in the South Carolina Lowcountry,
on the subtropical sea island of Wadmalaw. Just minutes from the majestic
homes along the Battery and other sights of Charleston, a unique heritage is
maintained that began in 1799 when a French botanist brought the first tea
plants to America.
Tea is the most-consumed beverage in the world after water; yet most of the
tea consumed in America is still imported from other countries.
American Classic Tea has been the official White House tea since 1987 and is
officially designated as the Hospitality Beverage of South Carolina, in
recognition of the proprietors unique and historical endeavor.
Owners Mack Fleming, the country's only horticulturist specializing in tea,
and Englishman William Barclay "Bill" Hall, one of only eight tea tasters in
the US, are quite proud of their non-flavored, traditional black tea. Hall is
a third-generation tea taster. His expertise comes by way of a rigorous
apprenticeship with Brooke Bond Ltd., the venerable English tea purveyors.
Both men have traveled the world learning about tea "from the bush to the
cup." In fact, the cover of their brochure says it all -- "The Charleston Tea
Plantation is proud to play a part in the continuation of Charleston's rich
heritage with the production of its American Classic Teas -- the only teas
grown in America."
Their company, Charleston Tea Plantation, has over 127 acres planted to tea.
The plants are home to descendants of bushes brought to the United States
over 100 years ago. The tea is harvested every 15-18 days from the first
flush (first tea of the year) in May through the month of October. No
insecticides or fungicides are used, thus producing a cleaner, purer tea than
the imports.
Tea is grown on green bushes that are about three and a half feet tall and
clipped perfectly flat on top like rows of neat English hedges. The whole
operation is lovely to see including the Spanish moss-laden century-old live
oak trees.
American Classic Tea is harvested by a one-of-a-kind large, green harvesting
machine that was designed by Mr. Fleming and performs equally as well as hand
labor. Having grown up on a South Carolina cotton and tobacco farm, Fleming
designed the diesel, four-wheel drive machine that is a cross between a
cotton picker and a tobacco harvester.
Only the new leaves are cut from the top of the bushes. The leaves are then
brought into the factory for withering, curing, manufacturing preparation and
packaging. Hence, the freshness of the tea cannot be equaled.
Visiting hours are 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday May thru October.
There is no charge and no reservations are necessary. Visitors will see the
only tea plants in America and listen to the staff tell about the exciting
world of tea production. After a stroll down the oak-lined drive, guests may
enjoy a complimentary glass of American Classic Tea in the gazebo. The
complete line of teas and related items are sold at the conclusion of the
tour.
And just what is in their line of products? If you live on the Eastern
seaboard, you've probably seen their tea in grocery stores as over 2,000
supermarkets in the Southeastern United States carry American Classic Tea
products. The tea is packaged in boxes of 20 and 70 count tea bags. There is
also a 16 oz. ready to drink sweetened tea found at many stores. The other
products can be purchased directly from the plantation such as loose tea, tea
samplers, orange tea jelly, mint tea jelly, tea honey and Charleston benne
wafers. Hand painted picnic hampers, gift boxes, tote bags, "tea" shirts and
notecards round out the selections. Tea plants chosen from prime ornamental
stock can are available at times.
Above exerpt from:
American Classic Tea: Deep in the Heart of Tea Country by Sally Bernstein
http://www.sallys-place.com/beverages/tea/american_classic.htm
Charleston Tea Plantation
6617 Maybank Highway
Wadamala Island, South Carolina 29487
(803) 559-0383 or 1-800-443-5987