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The site
benefits from an ideal PH of 4.5 and the tea tastes like a
“good Malawi”, not as good as Kenya or high Ceylon. US
tastes need “bright cream” not the Assam “cloudies” that the
UK prefers.
320 different varieties of tea are grown on site, planted at
5,000 per acre. The terrain is flat, sandy and well drained.
The owners believe that drainage is key to growing tea and
was the main reason why tea across the world used to be
planted on hillsides. This ideal growing ground does not
extend any further north but it is believed that there are
lots of areas in Georgia and the southern States that would
be suitable. This Charleston site is only 3 miles from the
sea and benefits from the gulf stream moderating
temperatures, yet there are no reported salt problems.
Harvesting takes place from May to October, every 10 days.
The total crop weight is 200,000 lbs. per year.
The big downside is the price obtained: only $3 per lb as
opposed to the $90 achieved by imported Japanese teas. The
owner has stopped supplying supermarkets in response to
their ever downward pressure on price. US territory could in
fact supply the entire American demand – but it would need
an act of Congress to force the market to buy the home
product!
Sales from the plantation have doubled every year. An
instant tea called Sam’s American Choice Iced Tea Mix has
been developed for Walmart (presumably before the decision
to stop supplying supermarkets!) Another brand called
American Classic is being sold in Japan, Spain, Bermuda and
England as well as all the American states. It has been
served at the White House during the last three
administrations.
The owner has stopped most feed for 3 years in order to
obtain organic status. This would lower yields but price
could go up 4-fold. Planting losses are minimised by trickle
irrigation and the crop takes 3 years to reach flat top
(plucking table) and then, in year 4, some crop is
harvested. The plants are clonally propagated for
uniformity. A mechanical harvester is used and this does the
work of 500 manual pickers. This air conveyance hydraulic
driven machine however is not as good for most applications
as that used in the Argentina. It is a cross between a
cotton and a tobacco harvester.
The plantation is only half an hour’s drive from Charleston
and attracts a lot of visitors. They peaked at 1,500 per
day. The proprietors, when questioned, thought they could
probably break even on visitors alone.
On the “visitor” theme, there is a nearby Magnolia
Plantation and Gardens. They have a Camellia Maze, modelled
on Hampton Court, England. It is not large but still
intriguing and a significant part of the marketing of the
enterprise. This is another (allied) business with a high
dependence on visitor revenue.
The Hawaiian Manaki herbal ‘Tea’ Plantation is growing the
genus Piturus albidus. It has been certified organic for 5
years now. Their market is small but with potential for
growth. This enterprise is an offshoot for an established
general plant grower for |
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