World Tea Expo - New Product Exhibits

So, I’m sure you realize that I am bubbling over with excitement as the hubby and I prepare for our first World Tea Expo – May 2 through May 4, 2009. As the date approaches, I am so excited learn about the various activities that have been plan for the tea-filled weekend. In addition, it seems as though the list of tea companies that plan to be in attendance continues to grow by the minute. Not only will I have the opportunity to attend, what I hope to be, awesome classes I will also get the chance to check out new tea and tea-related products.

Here is a sampling of the new products that will be introduced at this year’s World Tea Expo:

• Double Wall Tea Cup by Northwest Glass Designs – Speaking of glass, this 16-ounce cup is designed to insulate the drinker’s delicate fingers from the hot tea inside. It’s so sexy and smart, maybe they should’ve called it The Julia Roberts. 
• Illuminated Tea Selection Chests by Tea Butler – Ever felt like tea is so magical it glows? Tea Butler makes it happen – literally – with these special presentation chests featuring descriptive plaques and jars that light up. 
• World Tea Championship Tea Sampler by PeLi Teas – Also taking presentation to new heights is PeLi Teas, which places a selection of its award-winning whole leaf Chinese teas in hand-folded pyramid sachets, and offers them in bamboo boxes. 
• Green Tea Gourmet Gift Tray by Torn Ranch – This boxed set presents Splendid Specialties’ gourmet chocolate bars, candies and cookies infused with Jasmine tea. If this doesn’t satisfy your green tea craving, you may need to seek help. 
• Morning Lychee Green Tea Bars and Mints by Sencha Naturals – Sencha continues to break new ground in tea’s uses as an ingredient. Not only has it added the tantalizing morning lychee flavor to its mints and bars, but it has also obtained certified vegan, kosher and fair trade status for both product lines. 
• Victorian House Scones by the Tea House Times – Here’s a tea side dish for the more traditional crowd. Unlike most packaged powders, these allow bakers to be creative and use high-quality ingredients – all with the convenience of a mix. 
• Wine Inspired Teas by International Tea Importers – With its subtleties of terroire and mouth-feel, tea has been drawing comparisons to wine for years. It was only a matter of time before someone brought the two together, as in these wine-flavored teas.
• Get Real, Get Loose by Teas Etc – You know a company that starts its product description with “Ditch the old bag” has a sense of humor. But this one’s got brains, too. Get Real, Get Loose solves for once and for all the annoying problem of having too much tea, not enough filters (or vice versa) by putting the two together! Duh.  

I look forward to not only seeing, but sampling some of these new products. Not only for my own pleasure, which is paramount, but also to write about here on Tea Escapade. To register for or find more information about the 2009 World Tea Expo, visit http://www.worldteaexpo.com.