-By Kristin V. Montalvo

Red Alert: Rooibos Tea
Also known as "Red Bush Tea" or simply "Red Tea," rooibos has become one of the hottest trends in the tea industry. This subtly sweet, vibrant red-colored tea is actually not even a real tea, but rather an herbal tea or tisane (a French word meaning "herbal infusion"). Rooibos is grown in the mountains and valleys of the Cedarberg region near Cape Town, South Africa, where, for centuries, it has been praised for its medicinal and relaxing properties. In Asia, it is known as "Long Life" tea, in that many believe that rooibos has anti-aging effects.

Similar to many other tea varieties, this South African herbal beverage has benefited from recent press coverage touting its healthful benefits, which include an antioxidant level comparable to green and white tea. Rooibos contains vitamins C and E as well iron, zinc, potassium, and calcium.

Helping further solidify consumer interest is the fact that rooibos has no caffeine, is low in tannins and rich in minerals, making it a suitable beverage for both pregnant women and nursing mothers, and those seeking a caffeine-free alternative.

Mighty Leaf Chocolate Mint Truffle
Mighty Leaf Chocolate Mint Truffle is an intoxicating blend of chocolate cacao nibs, mint and rooibos leaves. A wonderful dessert tea, it also pairs nicely alongside buttery pastries or rich, chocolatety desserts. MSRP is $8.95, 4 ounces loose; $32.22, 1 pound loose. For more information, visit www.mightyleaf.com.

Rishi Tea Jamaica Rooibos, Organic Botanical Blend
Rishi's master tea blenders unify the flavors of Organic Jamaica Flowers with Organic Rooibos and Organic Honey Bush to create this robust, fruity and deep red infusion. Jamaica flowers are hand-picked from a variety of hibiscus when the flowers become plump and juicy red. This original Rishi blend has a deep red infusion with a strong and fruity body that finishes with complex notes of mango, passion fruit and rare island spices. Eight additional flavors are included in the Rooibos line. MSRP ranges from $4.00 for 1 ounce to $32.00 for 1 pound. For more information, visit www.rishi-tea.com.

Adagio Rooibos Sampler
Adagio's Rooibos Sampler is a wonderful introduction to the wide range of rooibos teas including top-grade, organic Rooibos; Rooibos Berry (flavored with forest berries); Rooibos Earl Grey (flavored with oil of bergamot); Rooibos Mango (flavored with tropical mangos); Rooibos Tropics (flavored with pineapple and coconut — the tea of paradise); and Rooibos Vanilla (flavored with natural vanilla). MSRP is $11 for 6 sample tins. For more information, visit www.adagio.com.

Zhena's Gypsy Tea's Red Lavender & Precious Lemon Rooibos
For a taste of the exotic, try Zhena's Gypsy Tea's Red Lavender blend, containing Organic South African Red Bush and Organic French Lavender Blossoms. The Precious Lemon Rooibos blend features Organic South African Rooibos and Organic Honeybush, Organic Australian lemon myrtle, Organic Osmanthus flowers, and French lavender. Each cup provides aromatherapeutic benefits. Rooibos is antioxidant-rich and purifying, while lavender calms the spirit. All are certified GMO- and allergen-free, and are 100 percent natural. MSRP is $5.99 for 22 sachets. For more information, visit www.gypsytea.com.

ZredT ZT Rooibos Red Tea
ZT Rooibos Red Tea from ZredT offers the taste and wellness of brewed rooibos tea in a unique ready-to-drink bottle. Fresh brewed from only super-grade rooibos (top 8% of the harvest) and steeped for not less than 30 minutes to ensure the highest antioxidant activity in each bottle, it contains zero carbs, zero calories, and zero sugar. Flavors include Sweet, Lemon, Peach and Raspberry. MSRP is $16.76 for 12-pack. For more information, call 866-5REDTEA, or visit www.getredtea.com.

Republic of Tea Be Well Red Teas
The Be Well Red Tea line features ailment-specific functional herbs artfully combined with a base of red tea, including: Get Clean - Herb Tea for Detoxing; Get Some Zzz's - Herb Tea for Rest; Get Relief - Herb Tea for Digestion; Get Charged - Herb Tea for Energy; Get it Going - Herb Tea for Regularity; and Get Soothed - Herb Tea for Scratchy Throats. The tea giant also offers a whole line of good-for-you red teas like Capetown Harvest Red Tea (passion fruit, mango, sunflowers, rose petals, and strawberries, hibiscus and grapefruit for a tart-sweet finish) and Safari Sunset Red Tea (cinnamon, orange and cloves, finished with a hint of lemon). For more information, visit www.republicoftea.com.

Bean Stat
Organic Coffee Market Grows Dramatically in 2006
Sales of organic coffee are growing faster than one can say, "Espresso, please!" U.S. retail sales of organic coffee in 2006 increased 24 percent to $110.36 million, according to the Organic Trade Association's (OTA's) 2007 Organic Manufacturer Survey. There are some estimates that indicate actual sales could be even higher. "The dramatic increase in organic coffee sales mirrors the continuing growth in the overall organic sector and reflects consumers' increasing awareness of these products, their high quality, and the availability of these beverages in venues ranging from small coffee shops to 'Big Box' stores," said Caren Wilcox, OTA's executive director. Organic coffee is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Organic production systems replenish and maintain soil fertility, avoid the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and build biologically diverse agriculture. Third-party certification organizations verify that organic farmers use only methods and materials allowed in organic production. Organic coffee is grown in more than 30 countries, including the United States. For more information, visit www.ota.com.

The Pulse
World Tea Expo Bigger and Better in 2008
When the 2008 World Tea Expo opens in Las Vegas, Nev., May 30 – June 1, 350 exhibitors will host an anticipated 33 percent more attendees than previous shows. With a larger exhibit floor at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, buyers can expect to see a wider selection of tea and tea-related products in a broad range of categories, including: tea wholesalers and packers; bulk, bagged and ready-to-drink teas; tea bagging equipment and packaging suppliers; gourmet foods, giftware, tea jewelry, chocolate and other confectionary items.

As the category continues to explode, so does World Tea Expo. In 2008, the event will introduce a variety of new features designed to give participants an enhanced show experience that reflects their varying needs and interests.

Attendees will be able to take advantage of a core educational conference that is leaner and more robust, with targeted sessions to appeal to every kind of tea professional, from tearoom owners to scientists and R&D specialists. In addition, a "New Business Boot Camp" will be held two days prior to the show, for new business owners and those entering the tea market for the first time. The New Business Boot Camp will be an intensive 16 hours of education by expert instructors to catapult new and young tearooms to high levels of success almost immediately.

A first-rate Cupping Pavilion will be constructed on the show floor to allow buyers the professional resources to cup and compare samples from exhibitors on the spot and place orders at the show. And finding exceptional teas will be aided by the presentation of the first-ever World Tea Championship, a hot-tea competition featuring submissions by exhibitors from around the world, and judged by a panel of professional tea cuppers and experts.

More information about the World Tea Expo, including a full listing of events, seminars and new features, as well as a floor plan and interactive directory of exhibitors, is available online at www.worldteaexpo.com.

Ito En Tea Shop Ranked as NYC's Best Tea Emporium
For the fourth year in a row, Ito En Tea Shop in New York City was ranked as NYC's "best tea emporium" in Zagat's 2008 New York City Gourmet Shopping & Entertainment Guide. The shop has been rated as the top tea shop every year since 2005, according to Ito En (North America), Inc. Located on Madison Avenue, the Ito En Tea Shop is a haven for anyone interested in tea, whether they are looking for unique accessories or gift ideas, or want to experiment with new tea varieties, according to Rona Tison, senior vice president of corporate relations for Ito En (North America), Inc. Zagat's latest review of the tea shop illustrates why it is recognized again as the "best tea" in NYC: "Ranking as the best tea emporium in NYC, this Upper East Side sanctuary has no peers in its superb selection of authentic Japanese, Chinese and Indian leaves both traditional and exotic, packaged and treated as works of art in a so-civilized boutique space that's also stocked with one-of-a-kind accoutrements; run by one of Japan's premier producers and staffed by sophisticated sorts who can make neophytes experts, it's very expensive but worth it to steep in tea as spirituality."

Movers&Shakers
Miguel A. Abisambra took over as the president and chief executive officer of First Colony Coffee & Tea on October 1, 2007. Abisambra plans to continue the steady growth of First Colony, and achieve even higher levels of success. He joins First Colony after working for 19 years as the chief operating officer for the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia (FNC). "Due to First Colony's long history and tradition in the coffee and tea business, the opportunity to work here was very enticing. I am excited to be a part of such a strong company," he stated.

The IMPRESSA J5, the most advanced compact model in Jura-Capresso's line of automatic coffee centers, has won the internationally recognized iF Red Dot Design Award 2007 for its outstanding design quality. The first J-series machine in the Jura-Capresso line, it features new technology for more crema and a stunning modern design with a convenient rotary dial reminiscent of popular portable media players. A red and white sticker announcing this honor will appear on each Jura-Capresso IMPRESSA J5 to merchandise the product at retail. For more information, call 201-767-3999, or visit www.capresso.com.

Saeco welcomes Nicole Miller as the new regional sales manager for the northwestern United States, reporting to Ted Richissin, vice president of sales. Miller joins Saeco USA after one year as the sourcing manager for retail brewing at Starbucks Coffee Company in Seattle. Before Starbucks, she served as senior buyer for Amazon.com.

After 16 years of bolstering the specialty coffee business throughout the United States, Coffee Fest will venture into uncharted territory when it hosts its first international coffee trade show in Hong Kong, November 7–9, 2008. AsiaWorld Expo Center will house 150 booths, and organizers expect between 5,000 and 50,000 attendees hailing from surrounding Asian countries and New Zealand and Australia. For more information, call 425-283-5058, ext. 113, or visit www.coffeefest.com.

If you would like to comment or send us your feedback, please send e-mail to kmontalvo@gourmetretailer.com.

Product Gallery
NEWMAN'S OWN ORGANICS
Nell and "Pa" Newman have turned in their American Gothic garb for regal robes and scepter for their new distinctive packages for Newman's Own Organics' Royal Tea line - available in Organic Black Tea, Organic Green Tea and Organic Family Size Black Tea Bags. Paul Newman gives away all his after-tax royalty payments from Newman's Own Organics to educational and charitable organizations. MSRP: $2.99–$3.99.
856-793-0290 x 912
www.newmansownorganics.com
CLICK VENDOR LINK NO. 426

ROUTIN 1883
adds Ginger and Lemongrass to its flavor lineup. Asian-inspired beverages, hand-made sodas and gourmet ginger ale in particular are very on-trend in the beverage world. These flavors are delicious mixed with ice and sparkling water, iced tea and lemonade. MSRP: $7.
800-367-1883
www.1883.com
CLICK VENDOR LINK NO. 429

NESPRESSO
The new Nespresso Lattissima machine features a one-touch fresh milk froth function that enables coffee aficionados to create cappuccino or latte coffees at the touch of a single button. The one-touch cappuccino system provides the optimal combination of steam, milk and air to create milk froth with perfect consistency. The one-touch option also features an auto-rinsing function, which enables users to easily clean the tubes used for milk foam preparation, thereby preventing milk particles from remaining inside the system. Other features include twin pump and heating systems, one for producing coffee and the other for frothing milk, which may be used at the same time. MSRP is $799.
800-562-1465
www.nespresso.com
CLICK VENDOR LINK NO. 432

MARIEBELLE NEW YORK
The famed chocolatier extraordinaire MarieBelle introduces Dattan Soba Cha Tea - a roasted Japanese buckwheat tea known to be high in B vitamins as well as a natural antioxidant, Rutin. Soba Cha has a rich golden brown color and superior nutty fragrance and flavor. MSRP: $16 for an 8-oz. tin.
866-925-8800
www.mariebelle.com
CLICK VENDOR LINK NO. 427