In 1799, botanist Francois Andre Michaux planted tea at Middleton Place as an experiment. Today South Carolina is the only state that commercially grows tea and proudly boasts local tea as the Official Hospitality Beverage.
Tea lovers can make a pilgrimage to Charleston Tea Garden on glorious Wadmalaw Island. Take the trolly, check out the greenhouses, and then visit the gift shop to stock up on tea and tea-based body care products. And Charleston’s oldest working distillery, Firefly Distillery, is the home of Sweet Tea Vodka, made from local tea. Grownups can sign up for a tasting or enjoy a cocktail in a rocking chair on the front porch.
Tucked into the Cherokee Foothills in the Upstate, Table Rock Tea Company offers tours of their lovely grounds, and plenty of tea to take home. Once you’ve seen the farms, it’s time to enjoy a hot or icy brew with a fun (but proper) English tea service at River Oak Cottage Tea Room at Hopsewee Plantation in historic Georgetown.
As quaint as it sounds, The Cottage Café, Bakery & Tea Room in Bluffton offers a wide selection of local teas served with their famous freshly baked pies, scones, tarts and cookies. Enthusiasts also won’t want to miss Cornwallis House Tea Room in Winnsboro. Their custom-blended teas each have a fascinating backstory. Take a stash home or sample flavors over lunch.
In the fall, be sure to visit Summerville, the Birthplace of Sweet Tea, which celebrates the Sweet Tea Festival every September with a massive street fair.
Discover the history and craftsmanship behind South Carolina’s most iconic drinks on the Satisfy Your Thirst Tour.
