Charleston Tea Plantation

Another dream for me, the tea drinker, was to come here for a cup of tea.

I found this frog was more than willing to sit with me and sip on a find sunny day at the Charleston Tea Gardens.

They said they were the only tea gardens in the US, but there are more and more small gardens popping up around the country. This garden is probably the oldest and largest. I found it fascinating in listening to their tour guide that it was originally a part of Lipton Tea, then they left it sit for quite a few years and eventually Bigelow bought it from a previous owner.

When I planned on visiting here I read on their website that the tour wasn't happening during the pandemic; so I was pleasantly surprised when we arrived to see the little red tram waiting to tour us through the gardens.

We were told that sometimes alligators live in the pond on the farm.

After the tram ride we walked through the factory where we saw tea being oxidized or withered.

Baby plants in the greenhouse under a veil of mist.

The harvester drives along the rows to trim the tea.

The trees on the plantation/garden were dripping with moss. Just my mental image of the south coming to life.

"Do not gulp the tea but sip it slowly allowing its fragrance to fill your mouth. There is no need to have any special attitude while drinking except one of thankfulness."

~Pojong Sunim, a Korean tea master, quotes by Stephen Batchelor

 

I am thankful for those slow sips of tea wherever I have traveled and with whomever I have sat with over a cup of tea. Sipping a cup of tea right here in the gardens was definitely a delight. 

 

Happy weekend, dear friends!