Tag: Charleston Tea Plantation

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Charleston Tea

Today’s visit to the Charleston Tea Plantation for their First Flush festival turned out to be a lot of fun.

A field of tea bushes (Camellia sinensis) when you drive into the plantation

A field of tea bushes (Camellia sinensis) at the Charleston Tea Plantation

The factory tour is definitely very interesting and informative. One of the must-do’s while you’re there.

Machines that turn the cut leaves into tea

Plenty of people came to enjoy the great weather and live entertainment

People sitting on a sunny grassy field. Tents in the background are set up for performers people are listening to.

According to the Tea Trolley tour guide, the original plantation up in Summerville was abandoned after the original owner died. All of the plants at the Charleston Tea Plantation were propagated (cloned) from plants recovered from the original plantation. If you’re in Summerville, some of those unruly bushes on your property might just be tea bushes!

Green leaves on the tea bushes. The leaves are a pointed oval shape with serrated edges.
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First Flush

The tea variety, not toilets.

Tomorrow is the First Flush festival at Charleston’s very own tea plantation (and apparently the only one in the US too). Goes from 10-5 with music and other fun things to do.

This years’ First Flush Festival–to celebrate the arrival of our 2008 tea crop–will be held on Saturday May 17, 2008. Mark your calendar and come to Charleston Tea Plantation on Wadmalaw Island for a whole day of fun, games, food, some great live music and an opportunity to purchase your own supply of Charleston Tea Plantation’s 2008 First Flush Loose Tea. Last year’s Festival was a great day for all who attended and for the Charleston Tea Plantation Team!

The tea plantation’s been on my list of places to check out for a while now so I figured this would be a good opportunity to go see.

Feel free to join me if you’re not busy tomorrow.