Driving along the Black Sea coast to Chaqvi, a birthplace of Georgian tea. Visit the residence of Lao Zeng Zhao, the Chinese tea master who established Georgia's first tea plantations. Hear stories about the origins of tea plantations in Georgia and Continue driving to the tea region Guria.
Next, visit the Anaseuli Experimental Tea Factory, once the central hub of tea research and production in the Soviet Union. Covering over 130 hectares, the complex includes tea plantations, a recreation park, and various buildings.
First, we explore the tea plantation, delving into the development of Georgian tea, notably Kolkhida. Additionally, we examine Soviet-era pictures depicting people, machines, and the work processes on the plantation, offering insight into everyday life there in the 1960s.
Next, we walk to the Tea Factory, passing through a scenic park, admiring mosaics and various facilities. Along the way, you'll hear fascinating stories about Soviet students, researchers, and visitors to the complex.
In the tea factory, we observe machines processing various types of tea, including black, green, white, yellow, and red. We also visit the tea experimental laboratory, where tea qualities are tested.
At noon, we drive to the village of Nagomari, where we enjoy a picnic amidst the rejuvenated organic tea plantations. We indulge in delicious black and green teas, along with homemade jams, bread, cheese, and fresh vegetables.
Afterward, we take a leisurely stroll through the tea plantations, getting a closer look at the tea plants. Here, you'll learn about modern methods of tea cultivation and how to identify and pick tea leaves of premium quality.
In the evening, we visit a traditional Gurian farm in the village of Bakhvi. The farm boasts an organic tea garden, vegetable fields, and vineyards. After a guided walk through the farm, we participate in a tea tasting and workshop led by a local tea master. You'll learn how to brew perfect Georgian black, green, and white teas, and then savor the delightful flavors.
To conclude our memorable day, the family warmly welcomes us to dinner prepared in Gurian Grandma’s kitchen. The menu features: Shetutuli Qatami: Boiled chicken in Gurian walnut pesto; Kirkvali Lobio: Black bean soup with spiced hazel; Chakindzuli: Veal in a white spicy wine sauce; Gurian pkhali: Chopped and minced spicy vegetables, served with corn bread.
For optimal digestion, we enjoy freshly picked herbal tea before driving back to Batumi.