Sipping history in the Lowcountry
There is often no better way to connect with a place than through the rituals it preserves. In Charleston, tea has long held a quiet, storied presence. From colonial-era ports to modern plantations, tea in the Lowcountry has been both a daily companion and a symbol of refinement. Today, a growing number of local shops, plantations and curated experiences invite residents and visitors alike to explore that history — one cup at a time.
Honoring Charleston’s tea legacy
For nearly two decades, Oliver Pluff and Company has quietly honored the city’s tea heritage. Tucked into the heart of Charleston at 49 John St., the shop specializes in colonial-era blends and recreations of teas once enjoyed by Charleston’s earliest residents.
“Tea was both part of daily life and a marker of refinement,” said Lori Fox, the shop manager. “In Charleston and the Lowcountry, tea would have been woven into domestic hospitality, social calls and genteel entertaining, especially among wealthier households. People think of tea as just a drink, but in the 18th century, it was a kind of social language. It carried meaning about taste, status, trade and increasingly, politics.”
In the 17th and 18th centuries, Charleston’s wealthy households drank imported teas like Bohea, Hyson and Souchong, symbols of refinement and status. Teawares from sites like Drayton Hall show the care in serving tea, while diaries reveal its role in daily life. Charleston also staged its own tea protests before the Boston Tea Party, showing how tea was tied to hospitality, commerce and civic identity.
At Oliver Pluff and Company, visitors can taste Charleston’s tea history in every cup. The shop offers everything from colonial-era blends to classics like Earl Grey and Darjeeling, along with seasonal iced teas and fruit-infused varieties. Tastings and classes guide guests through temperature, steeping and leaf selection, connecting a modern cup to centuries of Charleston tradition.
Guests can also browse curated tea accessories, from elegant teapots to colonial-inspired teawares, and attend themed tastings and seasonal events. These showcase rare blends while highlighting Charleston’s global trade, local history and social rituals.
“Tea continues to resonate because Charleston has always had room for both tradition and reinterpretation,” Fox said. “We’re proud to keep that history alive, showing how tea has been part of Charleston life for centuries. Whether someone is trying a historic Bohea blend, a delicate Earl Grey or a refreshing iced fruit tea, they’re tasting more than just tea, they’re tasting Charleston’s story.”
Experiencing tea firsthand
Nestled on Wadmalaw Island just a short drive from downtown Charleston, the Charleston Tea Garden is the only large-scale tea plantation in North America. Visitors to the farm can see the full journey of tea, from the lush rows of camellia sinensis plants to the processing equipment that transforms leaves into the signature American Classic Tea.
“People don’t realize how much goes into a single cup of tea,” said Bryn Riley, general manager. “Visitors are often surprised to learn that every step, from plucking to drying, requires careful attention. Seeing the process in person makes the tea in your cup feel much more connected to the land and the people who grow it.”
The garden offers daily tours, tastings and special events that highlight the history and cultivation of tea in the Lowcountry. Guests can walk among the rows of tea bushes, watch the production line and sample freshly brewed teas, all while learning how Charleston’s climate and soil make American-grown tea unique. The farm preserves plants that are direct descendants of those grown at Dr. Charles Shepherd’s Pinehurst plantation in the 1800s, tying the modern operation to centuries of regional tea history.
Visitors also gain insight into the farm’s story. It was founded as a research station in the 1960s and transformed into a commercial operation in 1987 by William Barclay Hall and horticultural professor Mack Fleming. It was then that the garden became home to the first 100% U.S.-grown tea. Today, in partnership with the family-owned Bigelow Tea Company, the Charleston Tea Garden has expanded both its production and its role as an agritourism destination.
“Without the farm, we wouldn’t have visitors, and without visitors, the farm couldn’t thrive,” Riley said. “It’s a balance — sharing our passion for tea while keeping the plants healthy and sustainable. Every time someone says, ‘I had no idea tea was made this way,’ it’s incredibly rewarding to us. We want people to come and learn.”
From educational tours to tastings that showcase both classic and seasonal blends, the Charleston Tea Garden allows visitors to connect deeply with the craft and history of tea. For anyone curious about where their cup comes from, it offers a hands-on, immersive experience unlike anywhere else in the country.
Afternoon tea reimagined
There are many high teas and afternoon teas offered in and around Charleston, but 26 Divine takes a different approach. It brings the tea directly to you. Tucked into Charleston’s vibrant culinary scene at 682 King St., the business began in 2010 as a storefront bakery, later evolving into a boutique café and a reservation-only tea room. Today, chef-owners Jenn and Enan Parezo focus on private events and at-home drop-off tea kits, offering guests a refined afternoon tea experience wherever they are.
“We’ve always loved the idea of afternoon tea, the chance to slow down and enjoy savory bites, desserts and a perfectly brewed cup of tea,” said Jenn Parezo. “It’s about making time feel special, whether for a bridal shower, birthday or just an intimate celebration at home.”
The tea service features locally sourced leaves from the Charleston Tea Garden, connecting guests to South Carolina-grown teas and the region’s heritage. Menus include four savory sandwiches, petite desserts, signature scones with curd and jam and berries with cream. All are carefully paired with a selection of hot teas. Each seasonal menu is designed to balance flavors, textures and presentation, creating a cohesive and elegant experience.
“Every element on the table is chosen to complement the teas,” Jenn explained. “We love seeing how the colors, flavors and textures come together to create a complete sensory experience.”
Jenn and Enan manage operations themselves. Enan serves as chef, handling food preparation, ordering, inventory and kitchen maintenance, while Jenn manages baking, event booking and planning, day-of coordination, rentals and invoicing. On-call staff members are brought in only as needed.
“Running the tea service ourselves allows us to maintain the level of care and attention we want for every event,” Jenn said. “Guests notice the small touches, from the tea steeping to how sandwiches are presented, and it makes all the difference.”
“Atmosphere and hospitality are just as important as the food itself,” she added. “We want our guests to feel pampered and relaxed. Afternoon tea gives them permission to slow down and enjoy a refined, unhurried experience. It’s about creating memories, not just serving food. People often tell us they leave feeling lighter, happier and more connected to the people they’re celebrating with — and that’s exactly what we hope for.”
From private tea rooms to at-home drop-off kits, 26 Divine reimagines Charleston’s afternoon tea tradition, blending the city’s love of ritual with modern culinary creativity. “We’ve learned that guests want quality and care above all else,” Jenn said. “Tea is a way to celebrate milestones, connect with friends, and create memorable moments and that’s what we aim to provide every time. Every cup we serve tells a story, and every event we help plan is an opportunity to make someone feel special.”
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