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Re: Shade-Grown Tea??



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