This tea farm in Alabama is the oldest in the nation

When you think of tea farming, Alabama probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind. However, one Fairhope resident has been on a mission to change that for over 40 years. Welcome to Fairhope Tea Plantation.

The story of Fairhope Tea Plantation

Donnie Barrett, the owner and founder of Fairhope Tea Plantation, claims that it’s the oldest tea farm in the US and the only one in Alabama. Here’s how it started.

In September 1979, Barrett was cleaning up a trail of debris that Hurricane Frederic had left behind on the Gulf Coast. He dumped the logs and stumps at Auburn University Research and Extension Center in Fairhope, which happened to be the site of a tea experiment that Lipton Tea Company was conducting at the time.

The experiment was a short-lived one, though. The rows of tea plants thrived for a few years, but were soon bulldozed and burned. Lipton left Fairhope without a trace—well, almost.

Donnie Barrett’s father, Bill Barrett, was the facility administrator at the center. When Donnie arrived to dump some stumps that Hurricane Frederic had left behind, Bill brought him out to the fields to see the remains of what had been a thriving little tea farm. They salvaged a few tea bulbs and planted them. And that’s how Fairhope Tea Plantation started.

Making tea in Fairhope

Donnie Barrett’s history with tea started way before 1979, though. He studied Wildlife Biology at Auburn University, taking several forestry classes along the way.

Before that, as just a teenager, Donnie successfully rooted camellia sasanqua cuttings and sold them. Growing up, he got to watch his father, an agricultural research scientist, collect camellia plants—which grow quite similarly to tea plants.

Thus, Donnie’s upbringing and education prepared him quite well for owning a tea plantation.

His tea plants started to flourish—however, there was one little problem. He didn’t know how to make tea with his green leaves, and no one wanted to share their industry secrets with him.

So, in 1984, Donnie trekked to China for the first time to explore several tea factories.

He soaked in all that he could on his travels. However, it would take him a decade to really get the hang of tea-making (no, you don’t just dry the leaves and boil them).

While the Fairhope Tea Plantation has had several names (including Hurricane Blend and Lytermanor Tea Farm), it’s been fascinating locals and tourists the same way for over 40 years.

How to visit the Fairhope Tea Plantation

Donnie Barrett himself created the art you find at the Fairhope Tea Plantation. (The Bama Buzz)

Today, the Fairhope Tea Plantation is home to over 61,000 tea bushes producing green and black teas. Visitors can experience the eccentric, historic farm on their daily 1PM tours, costing $10 each (cash only).

On the tour, you’ll have the chance to explore the fields, seeing how they make the tea along the way (yes, there are samples!). Visitors can also buy loose-leaf tea and individual bags, which you can’t get online or shipped. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind experience.

• Location: 12424 Lyter Ln, Fairhope, AL 36532
• Phone: (251)928-0919
• Website

NOTE: Drop-ins are also welcome, but Donnie and his wife Lottie recommend calling ahead.

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