Tea is often seen as something medicinal and only to be taken during times of illness. This Western concept overlooks the importance of tea as a social libation. In many parts of Europe, Africa and Asia, tea is used as a way to commune with friends and neighbors, as well as healing. Charmaine Bee crafts a special brand of teas for both ceremonial and curative purposes. She incorporates her Gullah ancestry into her tea blends known as Gullah Girl Tea.
The Gullah are an African people that currently live along the lower coastal regions of South Carolina and Georgia, and also the outlying sea islands. Many Gullah are descendants of West Africans from the Rice Coast (present day Sierra Leone and surrounding nations) that were brought to the Americas through Bahia, Brazil and eventually sold to planters in the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida. The Gullah language (sometimes called GeeChee) is a mixture of English and African words. "The Gullah language is related to Jamaican Creole, Barbadian Dialect, and the Krio language of Sierra Leone in West Africa. Gullah storytelling, cuisine, music, folk beliefs, crafts, farming and fishing traditions, all exhibit strong influences from West and Central African cultures." (wiki)
In a recent interview I talked with Charmine about Gullah Girl Tea.
Buy Africa: What is Gullah Girl Tea and why did you come up with it?
Charmaine Bee: "Gullah Girl Tea is the name of the tea company I recently started. I remember visiting my Grandmother in South Carolina, before my mother and I re-located there. She had a huge yard, and people were always coming by for cookouts and to hear her words of wisdom. I later learned that my grandmother used many leaves in her yard to aid in healing and that all twelve of her births were natural. Whenever I go back home to South Carolina I observe the rapid changes that are taking place, as the Sea Islands are becoming rapidly over developed (gentrified).
Using teas for medicinal purposes as well as a central point for gatherings, collectivity and creative all seemed to be in line with the history of my ancestry. I named the company Gullah Girl Tea in order to honor that heritage. "
B A: Tell us the story of how you make Gullah Girl tea.
C B: Well, I’ve been learning about different health benefits of teas. This journey actually began when I went away to college and became vegetarian. I was so thirsty for knowledge about health, especially since the majority of my women family members are diabetic, including my 12 year old niece. I felt that it was my responsibility to my family and community to find ways for us to heal naturally. That is how it all began. Now, I research herbs, and tea leaves and incorporate fruits either to enhance medicinal benefits or just to create a tasty blend combination.
B A: What is your favorite flavor of Gullah Girl Tea?
C B: Hmmm, lol. Hard question. I love all of them for different reasons and when I’m in different moods. With the winter here, though, I’d have to say that I absolutely am in love with the coconut vanilla rooibos, it’s so warm and comforting! I also love the Jasmine Blueberry, it has a deliciously earthy flavor...
B A: How can people get Gullah Girl Tea?
C B: Well, I currently sell the tea on [my] blog. So orders can be made directly on the blog:gullahgirltea
I’m also starting a bike delivery service for people who live in New York City. Free delivery in Brooklyn and a small charge for other boroughs. Information about the service will be listed on the facebook page and blog. Also, I’m always looking for shops to sell the tea in!
B A: What are all the flavors of Gullah Girl tea?
C B:
The current flavors are:
Rosemary Sage Mint
Jasmine Blueberry
Coconut Vanilla Rooibois
Cocount Vanilla Rooibos Chai
Green Mint
Summer blends include:
White Nectarine Jasmine
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More about the Gullah
"The Gullah are a distinctive group of Black Americans from South Carolina and Georgia in the southeastern United States. They live in small farming and fishing communities along the Atlantic coastal plain and on the chain of Sea Islands which runs parallel to the coast. Because of their geographical isolation and strong community life, the Gullah have been able to preserve more of their African cultural heritage than any other group of Black Americans. They speak a creole language similar to Sierra Leone Krio, use African names, tell African folktales, make African-style handicrafts such as baskets and carved walking sticks, and enjoy a rich cuisine based primarily on rice...
The connection between the Gullah and the people of Sierra Leone is a very special one. Sierra Leone has always had a small population, and Sierra Leonean slaves were always greatly outnumbered on the plantations by slaves from more populous parts of Africa—except in South Carolina and Georgia. The rice plantation zone of coastal South Carolina and Georgia was the only place in the Americas where Sierra Leonean slaves came together in large enough numbers and over a long enough period of time to leave a significant linguistic and cultural impact. While Nigerians may point to Brazil, Cuba, and Haiti as places where Nigerian culture is still evident, Sierra Leoneans can look to the Gullah of South Carolina and Georgia as a kindred people sharing many common elements of speech, custom, culture, and cuisine."
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The Gullah are an African people that currently live along the lower coastal regions of South Carolina and Georgia, and also the outlying sea islands. Many Gullah are descendants of West Africans from the Rice Coast (present day Sierra Leone and surrounding nations) that were brought to the Americas through Bahia, Brazil and eventually sold to planters in the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida. The Gullah language (sometimes called GeeChee) is a mixture of English and African words. "The Gullah language is related to Jamaican Creole, Barbadian Dialect, and the Krio language of Sierra Leone in West Africa. Gullah storytelling, cuisine, music, folk beliefs, crafts, farming and fishing traditions, all exhibit strong influences from West and Central African cultures." (wiki)
In a recent interview I talked with Charmine about Gullah Girl Tea.
Buy Africa: What is Gullah Girl Tea and why did you come up with it?
Charmaine Bee: "Gullah Girl Tea is the name of the tea company I recently started. I remember visiting my Grandmother in South Carolina, before my mother and I re-located there. She had a huge yard, and people were always coming by for cookouts and to hear her words of wisdom. I later learned that my grandmother used many leaves in her yard to aid in healing and that all twelve of her births were natural. Whenever I go back home to South Carolina I observe the rapid changes that are taking place, as the Sea Islands are becoming rapidly over developed (gentrified).
Using teas for medicinal purposes as well as a central point for gatherings, collectivity and creative all seemed to be in line with the history of my ancestry. I named the company Gullah Girl Tea in order to honor that heritage. "
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Charmaine Bee |
C B: Well, I’ve been learning about different health benefits of teas. This journey actually began when I went away to college and became vegetarian. I was so thirsty for knowledge about health, especially since the majority of my women family members are diabetic, including my 12 year old niece. I felt that it was my responsibility to my family and community to find ways for us to heal naturally. That is how it all began. Now, I research herbs, and tea leaves and incorporate fruits either to enhance medicinal benefits or just to create a tasty blend combination.
B A: What is your favorite flavor of Gullah Girl Tea?
C B: Hmmm, lol. Hard question. I love all of them for different reasons and when I’m in different moods. With the winter here, though, I’d have to say that I absolutely am in love with the coconut vanilla rooibos, it’s so warm and comforting! I also love the Jasmine Blueberry, it has a deliciously earthy flavor...
B A: How can people get Gullah Girl Tea?
C B: Well, I currently sell the tea on [my] blog. So orders can be made directly on the blog:gullahgirltea
I’m also starting a bike delivery service for people who live in New York City. Free delivery in Brooklyn and a small charge for other boroughs. Information about the service will be listed on the facebook page and blog. Also, I’m always looking for shops to sell the tea in!
B A: What are all the flavors of Gullah Girl tea?
C B:
The current flavors are:
Rosemary Sage Mint
Jasmine Blueberry
Coconut Vanilla Rooibois
Cocount Vanilla Rooibos Chai
Green Mint
Summer blends include:
White Nectarine Jasmine
More about the Gullah
"The Gullah are a distinctive group of Black Americans from South Carolina and Georgia in the southeastern United States. They live in small farming and fishing communities along the Atlantic coastal plain and on the chain of Sea Islands which runs parallel to the coast. Because of their geographical isolation and strong community life, the Gullah have been able to preserve more of their African cultural heritage than any other group of Black Americans. They speak a creole language similar to Sierra Leone Krio, use African names, tell African folktales, make African-style handicrafts such as baskets and carved walking sticks, and enjoy a rich cuisine based primarily on rice...
The connection between the Gullah and the people of Sierra Leone is a very special one. Sierra Leone has always had a small population, and Sierra Leonean slaves were always greatly outnumbered on the plantations by slaves from more populous parts of Africa—except in South Carolina and Georgia. The rice plantation zone of coastal South Carolina and Georgia was the only place in the Americas where Sierra Leonean slaves came together in large enough numbers and over a long enough period of time to leave a significant linguistic and cultural impact. While Nigerians may point to Brazil, Cuba, and Haiti as places where Nigerian culture is still evident, Sierra Leoneans can look to the Gullah of South Carolina and Georgia as a kindred people sharing many common elements of speech, custom, culture, and cuisine."
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