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Exploring Wadmalaw Island: Charleston Tea Plantation

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Charleston Tea Plantation
Photos/Charleston Tea Plantation

The Charleston Tea Plantation is the only working tea farm in North America. The island is an ideal spot for growing tea because it provides just the right amount of warm temperatures, humidity and rain. The tea plants go dormant in the winter and, come spring, shoot up 3 to 5 inches of new growth. Those new shoots are removed for making tea and then more new shoots appear. In a season, one plant might produce seven to 10 cuttings.

The leaves are clipped and gathered with a harvester the plantation staff has dubbed the “Green Giant” before heading to the factory for the withering process. Through a process of oxidation, moisture is removed from the leaves. Whether you end up with black or green tea (the most popular varieties) depends on how long the leaves are exposed to oxygen. Black tea spends 50 minutes on the oxidation bed; green tea doesn’t spend any time there at all.

The tea leaves are finally placed into a dryer, having lost 97 percent of their moisture. The entire process from field to completion takes just 20 hours. But 5 pounds of leaves only creates 1 pound of finished tea. Guests can learn all the about the tea-making process as they walk through a complimentary video-guided factory tour where they can overlook the machinery and watch the oxidation and drying processes. A trolley tour of the 127-acre farm is available ($10 for adults; $5 children 12 and under). The tour guide offers fun facts on tea and the plantation, supplemented by a recorded narrative from William Barclay Hall, founder of American Classic Tea and professional tea taster.

William Hall
William Hall

Hall founded the plantation in 1987, establishing the American Classic Tea brand. In 2003, he partnered with the Bigelow Family but continues to oversee the daily operations at the plantation and the development of American Classic Tea – the only tea made from the Camellia Sinensis plants grown on the plantation. The recently expanded gift shop offers a variety of tea products and gifts, plus complimentary samples of tea from classic sweet tea to raspberry or mint teas. The Charleston Tea Plantation is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday (closed on major holidays).

Plan Your Visit:

Charleston Tea Plantation
6617 Maybank Highway
Wadmalaw Island, SC 29487
charlestonteaplantation.com
843-559-0383

 

Charleston Tea Plantation
Recently expanded gift shop
Charleston Tea Plantation
Tea fields

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There’s so many  things you could do in Charleston it can be overwhelming. We recommend that first time visitors, checkout the ultimate first-time visitor guide here: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-first-time-visitors-guide/

Spring in Charleston, SC is an amazing time of year to visit. The flowers are blooming and the weather is mild and sunny. For more info, check-out our spring guide to Charleston here: https://travelerofcharleston.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-springtime-in-charleston/

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Our 10 Favorite Summer Activities in Charleston

Fall is one of the best times to visit. The weather cools down a bit and the skies are typically blue and clear. In addition there are many great events, festivals and the large crowds of summer have gone back to school or work. For more info on visiting in the fall, checkout this article: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-12-things-to-do-fall/

There are so many great things to do that it’s difficult to narrow the list down. This article does a great job with figuring out the must do things to do in Charleston

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The consensus is a minimum of 3-days is needed to settle in and experience Charleston. For instance, many people take 2 days exploring downtown and another day visiting sites outside of downtown such as the plantations, Angel Oak Tree or beaches. Checkout this page for a list of tours and attractions: 

Charleston’s Top Tours & Attractions | Things to do

Downtown Charleston was made for walking and for sure one of the best way to soak up and experience the history first-hand. This article goes over getting around Charleston with and without a car as well: 

Getting Around Charleston, SC

We’re of course partial to Charleston, but here’s the truth. There are many similarities however there are some differences in our opinion: 

  • Both cities are historic and beautiful. 
  • Both cities are extremely walkable. Savannah, with it’s park-like squares maybe more walkable than Charleston. 
  • Charleston has a more established and food scene with many more options. 
  • Charleston has better hotels and shopping.
  • Both cities have equally good tours.
  • Charleston has better beach options. Savannah has Tybee which is great, however it’s 1 beach vibe versus Charleston which has 3 beaches with different vibes. Checkout this Charleston beach guide article: https://travelerofcharleston.com/guide-charlestons-beaches/
  • In Savannah you can walk with alcoholic beverages on the street. This is not allowed in Charleston. This can be good or bad depending on your stance. 
  • Savannah is more affordable.
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Charleston has some fantastic can’t miss tours such as Fort Sumter, carriage, ghost, harbor, historic and culinary tours. For a full list with more info visit: https://travelerofcharleston.com/attractions/

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