Any tea grown in the USA?

[Ric]

I was asked the other day if there were any place in the United States where tea is grown. Does anyone know if there are? And can you buy this American grown tea?

In God's Grace,
Ric

[spautz]

There's only one tea plantation in the US: Charleston Tea Gardens. They were purchased by Bigelow a few years back, and the tea is now sold as "American Classic Tea" -- bagged only, unfortunately. (They supposedly used to sell loose tea, but I don't think it was very successful.)

You can order it online, and it's available at various stores in Charleston and the surrounding area. I have friends who swear it's superior to other grocery store bagged teas, but to my tastebuds it's still noticeably inferior to loose tea.

[Ric]

There's only one tea plantation in the US: Charleston Tea Gardens. They were purchased by Bigelow a few years back, and the tea is now sold as "American Classic Tea" -- bagged only, unfortunately. (They supposedly used to sell loose tea, but I don't think it was very successful.)

You can order it online, and it's available at various stores in Charleston and the surrounding area. I have friends who swear it's superior to other grocery store bagged teas, but to my tastebuds it's still noticeably inferior to loose tea.

Hey spautz,

Thanks for the 411! I will check it out!

In God's Grace,
Ric

[tbride00]

Hey - the tea is currently being marketed in some markets but mostly available online. I'm hoping that Bigelow will open it up for tours in the Spring. I'll keep you posted...

Also, just FYI... American tea makes great sweet (iced) tea! Thanks for supporting the USA~

[Ric]

Hey - the tea is currently being marketed in some markets but mostly available online. I'm hoping that Bigelow will open it up for tours in the Spring. I'll keep you posted...

Also, just FYI... American tea makes great sweet (iced) tea! Thanks for supporting the USA~

Yes, I did find it online, but I don't want to buy it online and pay more for the shipping than the tea.

I'll keep my eyes open. Thanks!

[Tea Guy]

In addition to Charleston, tea is being grown - apparently on a very small scale - in Hawaii. Here's a little more background, as well as some info on the first successful attempt to grow tea in England:

http://wileng.blogspot.com/...

Thanks,
Bill

[Ric]

In addition to Charleston, tea is being grown - apparently on a very small scale - in Hawaii. Here's a little more background, as well as some info on the first successful attempt to grow tea in England:

http://wileng.blogspot.com/...

Thanks,
Bill

Great, thanks!

[snotbottom]

My neighbor used to grow what he called tea in his backyard.
The only thing was that he would roll it and smoke it.

Hmmm......

[RSKate]

I recently visited the Charleston Tea Plantation and learned the following:

They do have loose tea, which is excellant, besides their bag tea. It is marketed under the name of American Classic. Under this brand all the tea is grown and harvested at the Charleston Plantation. There are five types:

Green, black, their version of an Earl Grey, raspberry, and peach. It is carried by some grocery chains, but unfortunately I do not know which ones.

[JBaymore]

We used to buy it when they sold loose tea......YEARS ago. Liked the idea of an American tea.

best,

..............john

[teaisme]

heh honestly though...why would you want to do that? Patriotism?
I get my tea from countries that have the expertise in growing/processing tea, unfortunately USA just doesn't have this... yet

I have read in a couple business articles though that it is a growing idea in the works, and have read a couple pieces on teas from hawaii becoming more popular , I imagine hawaii would be a great place to grow tea though because of the volcanoes, mountain areas, and its isolation. I would like to try some tea grown in a macadamia nut field! Imagine it would be good.

[Victoria]

I have had Hawaiian tea, it's as you said - they need more expertise.
Even the grower admits that some of the Eastern processing secrets are very highly guarded. The black tea was decent, but they can't match high mountain oolong.