World Tea Expo Update - June 2013

Update on tea trends

I recently returned from the annual World Tea Expo trade show held in Las Vegas.  Some of the new products that were showcased included:

• Novelty – with a view of appealing to a younger, broader audience more elements are being introduced into tea blends such as candy coated fennel seeds, marshmallows and coffee beans.
• Mobility – Tea to go - there are now newly designed commercial tea machines that can brew a cup of tea in 90 seconds, powdered instant tea lattes or matcha to go (add to your water bottle and shake) and an endless selection of individual tea traveller flasks.
• Variety – tea in partnership as an ingredient – while this is not a new concept it continues to evolve.  I tried aloe vera and tea combinations, lower sugar rtd iced tea ranges, extensive kombucha options, organic frozen tea treats, tea beauty lotions and potions.

Running parallel to Expo was a full education programme. It was a real joy to spend two mornings being hands on manufacturing fresh tea leaf sourced from Hawaii.  If you happen to be planning a trip to Hawaii in November join a tea tour - . 

Crafting the tea was a humbling reminder of the journey the leaf takes from tea garden to our cup and the heart and soul of every person who touches it along the way.

Here is a picture of my completed brewed black tea leaf, we also crafted oolong, yellow, green and white tea.

On another note – would you like a cup of tea with that cigar?  The pairing of cigars with tea is a new trend that was being talked about on the expo floor – according to the experts the lighter the tea, the lighter the cigar should be.