Immerse yourself in the refreshing tale of sweet tea, a beloved Southern staple that not only quenches thirst but also holds a rich history rooted in South Carolina’s charming town of Summerville.
Sweet tea origins trace back to Summerville, famously named “The Birthplace of Sweet Tea”. In the late 1700s, French botanist Andre Michaux introduced the tea plant, Camellia sinensis to South Carolina. Despite initial failures in other regions, the US government established a tea farm in Summerville in 1884. Dr. Charles Shepard later founded the Pinehurst Tea Plantation, which thrived and gained international applause due to winning first prize at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Trade Fair.
The Chamber of Commerce commissioned a large mural of a tea glass and the town set a Guinness World Record for the largest iced tea twice, with a 15-foot container named Mason. The enthusiasm is rooted in Summerville’s historical connection to tea cultivation and the community’s collective memory.
Visitors to Summerville are encouraged to explore the Sweet Tea Trail, admire the tea mural, and experience the legacy of sweet tea. Summerville continues to celebrate and reclaim its sweet tea heritage and preserving this delicious piece of Southern culture.
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