Press Release – Tea Escapade Gets a Facelift

Tea Escapade Press Release>>

For more information about the launch of Tea Escapade’s new website, please contact us at  TeaEscapade@yahoo.com

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“TEA ESCAPADE GETS A FACELIFT”

http://TeaEscapade.com. 

Tea Escapade Tea Blog provides the tea community with exciting tea and product reviews, tea news, promotions and contests.

We are excited to share with you, our readers, product contributors, and fellow bloggers, that the new Tea Escapade – Tea Blog has been launched.  Look closely… not only does Tea Escapade have a new look we have a new URL. That means if you link to Tea Escapade using the original blog URL, you must change your links to reflect the new URL – http://TeaEscapade.com – otherwise your links will be broken, because the original blog site will only remain active for a limited time.

Now that we have launched, Tea Escapade will resume publishing new posts on a more frequent basis.  Be sure to visit the new site at http://TeaEscapade.com.  The face may have changed, but the content you’ve come to know and love will remain the same. Tea Escapade continues to seek contributing writers for either one article or a series of articles.  We strive to bring interesting and informative content to tea lovers world-wide.

Spread the word!

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National Hot Tea Month, Celestial Seasonings, & Facebook

You are probably wondering… why it is almost the end of January and Tea Escapade is just now sharing information about National Hot Tea Month.  Through inadvertence, I missed the press release in my email box and hope to rectify this mishap for such a great cause. Tea Escapade is always excited to share information about the tea industries efforts to improve the community, the environment, and the lives of people around the world.  Be on the look out for more…

Now that you know that January is National Hot Tea Month let me share with you how Celestial Seasonings put a new spin on the event.  As a leading tea retailer, Celestial Seasonings invites people to help preserve the earth’s tropical forests by participating in a new Facebook quiz, entitled PossibiliTEAS. Through the campaign, which kicked off National Hot Tea Month, Celestial Seasonings will donate one dollar on behalf of each participant, totaling up to $50,000, to Conservation International’s “Protect an Acre” program.

“At Celestial Seasonings we continue our 40-year commitment to social and environmental responsibility through our support of Conservation International’s ‘Protect an Acre’ program,” said Peter Burns, General Manager of Celestial Seasonings. “Our entertaining and insightful PossibiliTEAS Facebook quiz utilizes the inspiring art from our new, smoother-tasting green tea line to teach tea drinkers a little about themselves, while they support a great cause.”

The PossibiliTEAS Facebook application features thought-provoking questions, the answers of which align people with one of nine symbolic Asian characters found on boxes of Celestial Seasonings new green tea. Participants are provided with inspiration and guidance based on the given character and its associated meaning. For instance, the Dragon featured on Authentic Green Tea represents “awakening” while the Butterfly featured on Raspberry Gardens Green Tea symbolizes “joy.” The quiz is available at Celestial Seasonings Facebook fan page:  www.facebook.com/CelestialSeasonings where the first 15,000 participants will receive a sample of Celestial Seasonings Authentic Green Tea.

Celestial Seasonings donation of up to $50,000 will support Conservation International’s “Protect an Acre” program, which helps slow climate change and preserves tropical forests around the world. Just $15 protects one acre of tropical forest, so when participants enlist the support of 14 of their Facebook friends, together they will protect one acre of tropical forest. Building upon a strong foundation of science, partnership and field demonstration, Conservation International empowers societies to responsibly and sustainably care for nature for the well-being of humanity.

Even though National Hot Tea Month ends January 31st, the Conservation International’s “Protect an Acre” program doesn’t.  For more information about Celestial Seasonings commitment to the environment, visit: www.celestialseasonings.com.

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Spring Tea Festa Presented by Fang Gourmet Tea, cont.

Earlier this week, I posted about the Spring Tea Festa hosted by Fang Gourmet Tea in New York. Sad that I was unable to attend, the folks at Fang Gourmet Tea kindly provided some photos of the day’s festivities – May 16th. I cannot wait to get more details, however, in the meantime I wanted to share the pictures of the event. Perhaps next time, you’ll be able to attend.

Picture 1 – Fang Gourmet Tea Workers.

Picture 2 – One of the demonstrators serving up Honey Cottonrose TiKuanYin. 

Picture 3 – Another demonstrator serving up Classic TiKuanYin.

Picture 4 – Wouldn’t you love to be a demonstrator? Here’s another, serving 2009 Taiwan Premium White Mokey Green Tea.

Fang Gourmet Tea offers tea-lovers a wide selection of world-renowned tea and tea equipment. Combining tea and various styles of refined tea accessories, Fang Gourmet Tea is committed to the promotion of the spirit of teaism. Additional offerings include: Tea Ceremony Classes, a Tea Club, and Tea Music. Fang Gourmet Tea invites you to experience the unity of tea and Zen and to fulfill the unlimited sensation of tea. For more information…

Thank you Fang Gourmet Tea for sharing information about the Spring Tea Festa. I look forward to the day an event such as this is sponsored in my vicinity. Until then… Happy Tea Drinking!

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Spring Tea Festa Presented by Fang Gourmet Tea

I’d like to think that you heard it first here at Tea Escapade. But if you didn’t, that’s okay, I’m going to pretend as though every reader who visits and reads about this upcoming event is seeing it for the first time. With that said, here’s the skinny on the Spring Tea Festa presented by Fang Gourmet Tea…

On Saturday, May 16th Fang Gourmet Tea will be hosting the Spring Tea Festa in the Garnet Room at the Sheraton La Guardia East Hotel in Flushing, New York. Community residents from all age groups and cultural backgrounds are invited to join in on the festivities. Visitors will be able to experience the wonderful art and culture of fine Asian tea from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

After the success of the Tea, Art and Culture Expo in February 2009, Fang Gourmet Tea is glad to bring another tea event to the city. At this exciting and elegant event, visitors will participate in tea sampling and workshops.  ( There will also be scheduled promotional events… but you didn’t hear that from me!) 

Just a few housekeeping rules:

• Tickets are $5.00 each or $3.00 for Tea Club members;
• Each ticket entitles the ticket holder to one tea table;
• If tea is purchased, the price of the ticket can be deducted plus you’ll receive 20% off your purchase!

Sadly, being that I am from the Midwest, I don’t live close enough to attend this promising event. But for more information, contact Fang Gourmet Tea at 1-888-888-0216 or visit online at Spring Tea Festa.

If you find yourself in the vicinity of the Spring Tea Festa, you must attend and take as many pictures as possible to share with those of us unable to attend. Until then… Happy Tea Drinking!

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World Tea Championships – And The Winner Is…

Just in case you don’t read the Tea Escapade monthly newsletter, I thought I would share the results of the World Tea Expo: World Tea Championship. There were three major categories: Cold Tea, Hot Tea, and RTDS as well as multiple subcategories.

This years entrants and supporters of the World Tea Championship are viewed as shaping the tea industry, according to World Tea Expo Vice President Kim Jage. Here is the list of winners, announced Saturday, May 2, 2009:

 

Hot Tea Category

Assam – Assam Ditchu, Teas Etc. Black – Zhenghe Golden Monkey (Special), PeLi Teas Black (Blended/Flavored) – Pineapple Mango, TeaGschwendner USA Breakfast Blend – Organic/Fair Trade Lemongrass Black, Rishi Tea Ceylon – Ceylon OP1, Teas Etc. Chai – Organic/Fair Trade Masala Chai, Rishi Tea Darjeeling – Jungpana Choice, QTrade Teas & Herbs Dragonwell – Dragon Well Qingming, Rishi Tea Earl Grey – Earl Grey No 69, Tea Gschwendner USA Green (Blended/Flavored) – Sencha Yuzu, Rishi Tea Green (Dry, Fired) – Wuyang Chanyu, QTrade Teas & Herbs Green (Steamed) – Yame Hon-Gyokuro, QTrade Teas & Herbs Herbal – Tartary Buckwheat, Puripan Inc. Herbal (Blended/Flavored) – Organic Cinnamon Plum, Rishi Tea Jasmine – Organic/Fair Trade Jasmine Green Tea, Rishi Tea Keemun – Sechrna, QTrade Teas & Herbs Matcha – Matcha Rishi, Rishi Tea Oolong (Blended/Flavored) – Lychee Green Oolong, Naivetea Oolong (Dark) – Fenghuang Dancong (super), PeLi Teas Oolong (Green) – Jade Oolong (Golden Leaf Selections), Barnes & Watson Fine Teas Puer – Puer Tea (Special), PeLi Teas Sencha – Sencha Spirit, QTrade Teas & Herbs Flowering – L.T. Grade A Collection, Tea Beyond Silver Needle – Organic Silver Needle, Rishi Tea White (Blended/Flavored) – Organic Silver Needle Jasmine, Rishi Tea Yunnan – Dian Hong (Special), PeLi Teas

Iced Tea Category

Black (Flavored) – Organic Fair/Trade Summer Lemon, Rishi Tea Green (Flavored) – TIE: Organic Ambrosia Green Iced Tea, Shangri La Tea Co. and Organic Serene Green Citrus Iced Tea, Sungarden Specialty Tea Herbal (Flavored) – Organic/Fair Trade Tropical Crimson, Rishi Tea Black (Unflavored) – Natural Organic Black Iced Tea, Shangri La Tea Co. Green (Unflavored) – Natural Organic Green Iced Tea, Shangri La Tea Co. Best Value – Walters Bay Black Iced Tea, Walters Bay Freestyle Herbal – Tea in a Jar, Puripan Freestyle Tea – Iron Buddha and the Flower, Barnes & Watson Fine Teas Freestyle Best Presentation –Tea in a Jar, Puripan

RTDS Category

Black (Flavored) – Signature Blend, MarketSpice Green (Flavored) – Jasmine Green Tea, ITO EN Green (Sweetened) – Organic Iced Green, Tazo Tea Black (Unflavored) – Anteadote Organic Black Tea, Adagio Tea Green (Unflavored) – Oi Ocha Dark, ITO EN Oolong (Unflavored) – Oolong Shot, ITO EN Best Packaging – Lemon-Raspberry Gourmet, KimBees

For more information you can check out the World Tea Expo website. Otherwise, if you have an opportunity to try one or more of these winning blends, please come back and share your experience – I certainly will!

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World Tea Expo Update – Day 2

I am so excited to continue writing about The World Tea Expo!  On Sunday, I eagerly returned to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center for day two of the World Tea Expo. How could I share my Saturday adventures, without sharing Sunday’s? Before I begin, I must give kudos to my husband for walking the exhibit floor for over three hours with me. The World Tea Expo fueled my passion for tea – unfortunately, I fear he experienced subtle agony!

Thus the day began with another Skill Building Workshop – Blending Level 1, taught by Steve Schwartz, CEO/Founder of Art of Tea. The first half of the class began with awesome instruction about tea types, natural vs. artificial flavors, and organic vs. kosher certifications. The workshop culminated with actual hands-on blending. Yes, I returned home with an abundance of tea blended by me with my classmates. If my family and friends are reading this post – Merry Christmas in advance – I’ll be giving you tea.

After the Blending Level 1 workshop – I had an opportunity to interview two more exhibitors. Mary Greengo, the proprietor of Queen Mary Tea and Michael Harney from the renowned Harney and Sons Fine Teas. Both interviews will be forthcoming. The day ended, for me at least, with a final walk around of the exhibit floor. Of course, I chatted with many great vendors and sampled more tea and tea related products, which was awesome.

So a quick re-cap of another amazing day:

• Skill Building Workshop: Tea Blending 1;
• Interview with Mary GreenGo – from Queen Mary Teas;
• Interview with Michael Harney – from Harney and Sons Fine Teas;
• Wonderful conversations with Adagio Teas, Art of Tea, Botanical Bakery Tea Cookies, FORLIFE, Harvest House Publishers, PeLi Teas, Rooibos Ltd., TeaGschwendner USA, and many more.

I truly look forward to sharing Monday’s adventures! Additionally, I will follow this post with the list of winners from the World Tea Championship.

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World Tea Expo – Update

Reporting live from The World Tea Expo… I have always wanted to say that! Even better than wanting to say those words is the fact that Tea Escapade’s attendance at The World Tea Expo is reality. For the last few months, I have waited eagerly for this infamous tea event that began on Saturday, May 2nd.

We arrived late Friday night and I anticpated walking on the exhibit floor the moment I stepped off the plane. Saturday morning, bright and early, I attended my first class – Comparative Origin Cupping taught by David De Candia. This skill building workshop lived up to my high expectations and then some. Don’t worry… there are definitely more details to come, as well as pictures.

The rest of the day was spent walking the exhibit floor. Pacing myself was critical as each tea vendor freely shared samples of both hot and cold brewed tea. After cupping numerous teas during the workshop, becoming tea logged, was eminent.

To quickly recap my World Tea Expo adventure for the day…

• Attendance at one of the skill building workshops.
• Visiting and chatting up numerous vendors, including, but not limited to, Teas Etc., Harney and Sons, Rishi Teas, Aiya, Kim Bees, and Hunan Tea Co., LTD.
• A delightful interview with Beth Johnston from Teas Etc. – coming soon.
• Unexpected meeting with one of our favorite bloggers – Tea Guy.

The World Tea Expo ended with the World Tea Championship, which I regrettably missed.  I admit, we attended Cirque de Soliel. The winners, however, will be published shortly.

That’s all for now!

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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.

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World Tea Expo – Special Events

 

If you don’t already know… shame on you! The World Tea Expo begins, Saturday, May 2nd through Monday, May 4th in Las Vegas, Nevada.  I am truly excited to be a part of the festivities. This year there is a wonderful line-up of special events scheduled. As I am sure you have already guessed, my favorites were decided upon months ago. Yet, to my chagrin, more events have been added since then, thus tossing me back into the world of indecision. Not a bad thing, when all the decisions are things you love to do.  Okay, enough rambling…

Check out the list of special events scheduled for the 2009 World Tea Expo:

• Saturday, May 2, 11: 30 a.m., Opening Tea Ceremony, Modern Teaism 

• Saturday, May 2, 1:00 p.m., Authentic Chinese Tea Ceremony 

• Saturday, May 2, 3:00 p.m., Oolong Rolling Demonstration 

• Sunday, May 3, 1:00 p.m., How Matcha is Made 

• Sunday, May 3, 3:00 p.m., Top Tea Cocktail 

Each year, World Tea Expo attracts thousands of retailers, tea room owners, spa managers, specialty grocery store owners and other business professionals to view more than 300 specialty tea wholesale suppliers and related vendors exhibiting new products and innovations. The Expo has increased in size and scope for the last six years consecutively, earning it and its organizers multiple awards for growth and vision. 

If you haven’t done so already, find out more information or register for the 2009 World Tea Expo at http://www.worldteaexpo.com.

See you there!

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