12 km away from Kobuleti, on the bank of river Chakvistskali is situated seaside climatic resort of Chakvi. It differs from other seaside strip resorts of Adjara by its private and secluded nature: hotels and dacha cottages here are located in a calm coastline gulf near the beach which is divided from the settlement only by a narrow strip of fruit and citrus tree grove and a rail track. In Soviet period several rest-houses were operated in Chakvi while at the Scientific and Research Institute of Tea and Subtropical Cultures located here intensive research was conducted for selection of Georgian varieties of tea. Today more than twenty famous varieties of Georgian tea, namely, Green tea #95 and Bouquet of Georgia, as well as Georgian I, Georgian II and others, were nurtured by scientists working in this Institute.

Tea culture first appeared in Georgia presumably in the second half of XVIII century when the Russian Empress, Catherine II, sent to the king of Kartli, Erekle II, Chinese tea set and tea bush leaves as a gift. Distribution of tea culture is tied with the name of Mikhail Kaikhosro Eristavi. In the end of XIX century, this noble from Guria travelled in China, tasted tea brewing and liked it so much that he decided to cultivate it in Georgia. Since taking seeds or saplings out of China was strictly banned, Mikhail Eristavi put seeds in the tip of a

walking stick and crossed the border with tea seeds this way. Nobody knows weather this is a true story or a legend but the fact is that this gentleman started cultivation of tea bush in his estate in Ozurgeti and took care of its accommodation with the Georgian environment.

After establishment of a Soviet rule, in 20s of the XX century, aiming at development and facilitation of tea culture in the country a government program was worked out under the leading role of Chakvi-based Institute of Tea and Subtropical Cultures. Within the frames of Georgia tens of tea processing factories were built. Tea harvest became a leading agricultural activity in Western Georgian regions of Samegrelo, Guria, Adjara and Imereti. It is well-known that in the 70s and 80s of the XX century Georgia manufactured 95 thousand tons of tea per year.

 

1. Hotel Oasis in Chakvi.

2. In the end of XIX century tea plantation in Chakvi near the railway station was inaugurated on several ha (photos are housed at the Library of US Congress in Washington).

 

Location: Black Sea coastline, gorge of river Chakvistskali

Distance: 15 km away from downtown Batumi, 350 km away from Tbilisi

Sea level: 5-30 m

Landscape: mountainous

Climate: maritime, humid, subtropical climate; winter mild, without snow; mean temperature in January 5 degrees; summer hot, mean temperature in August 23 degrees

Natural treatment factors: maritime, humid, subtropical climate and sea water

Types of therapy: air and sun exposure, sea baths

Diseases for treatment: nervous and cardiovascular system, respiratory tract non-TB diseases, blood deficiency