The winners of the inaugural World Tea Championship were announced at the World Tea Expo, held May 30-June 1, 2008. The championship, touted as one of the decade’s most groundbreaking initiatives in the tea business, is expected to elevate the perception of tea, the independence of the category and increase consumer awareness -- much like the Parking Rating System did for the wine industry.

All participating teas in the competition were critically evaluated by the brewed color, brewed aroma, brewed flavor, brewed mouthfeel and brewed harmony. The winners will be able to use the results on packaging and promotions to further assist consumers in anticipating what to expect from their purchase.

“This competition was an undeniable success. The excitement and support from the industry was phenomenal, we had more than 200 teas submitted by 30 companies from around the world. It’s time the tea industry broke with its constant comparison with its distant cousin, coffee, and assumed its rightful place alongside its closer kindred, wine,” commented George Jage, World Tea Expo president.

The Hot Tea Class is divided into 22 different categories, plus three Super Categories, reflecting the most recognized and popular tea types, blends and herbals. The top five finalists in the Hot Tea Class were selected prior to the event and were evaluated again live on the show floor, Friday, May 30 to determine the “Best Tea” in each category. Judges included professional cuppers and industry recognized experts Charles Cain, TeaGschwendner; Joshua Kaiser, Rishi Tea; Jane Pettigrew; James Norwood Pratt, Tea Society; Thomas Schulze, Dethlefsen & Balk; Mike Spillane, G.S. Haly Company; Anthony Tellin, Tazo Tea and David Walker, Walker Tea. Judges whose teas made it to the finals were not allowed to judge that category.

Hot Tea Class winners are below:

Black
Blended/Flavored: Black Celebration, Qtrade Teas & Herbs
Breakfast Blend (tie): Organic China Breakfast, Rishi Tea; East Friesian Breakfast Tea, SpecialTeas
Darjeeling 2nd Flush: Darjeeling Jungpana 2nd Flush, Qtrade Teas & Herbs
Earl Grey: Organic Earl Grey, Rishi Tea
OP: Chamraj Orange Pekoe, The United Nilgiri Tea Estates Co.

Green
Blended/Flavored: Genmai Cha, Sugimoto USA
China Style: Zhejiang Green Tea, PeLi Teas, LLC
Hand-Tied Flowering: Jasmine Bloom, Adagio Teas
Japan Style: Organic Sencha, Rishi Tea
Jasmine Common: Jasmine Mao Feng, Qtrade Teas & Herbs
Jasmine Premium: Organic Jasmine Pearl, Rishi Tea

Herbal
Chamomile: Organic Chamomile Lavender, Teas Etc.
Hibiscus: Hibiscus Blossom, TeaGschwendner USA
Mint: Organic Peppermint Rooibos, Rishi Tea
Red Rooibos: Superior Cut, International Tea Importers
Herbal Rooibos Blend: Rooibos Lemon Chiffon, SpecialTeas

Oolong
Blended / Flavored: Mandarin Silk, Art of Tea
Dark: Formosa Superior Taifu, TeaGschwendner USA
Green: Ti Quan Yin (Autumn), PeLi Teas, LLC

Super
Black: Assam Marangi, TeaGschwendner USA
Green: Top Liu An Gua Pian (Melon Slice), PeLi Teas, LLC
Oolong: Phoobsering, Chamong

White
Bai Mu Dan: China Pai Mu Tan, TeaGschwendner USA
Blended/Flavored: Organic Osthmanthus Silver Needle, Rishi Tea
Silver Needle: Organic Silver Needle, Rishi Tea

The Iced Tea Class evaluation was done entirely at the Expo on Saturday, May 31 and is categorized by the three primary market applications and sales channels: ready-todrink, foodservice and freestyle.

The World Tea Championship Iced Tea Class winners are below:

Foodservice
Best Value: Walters Bay - Black Unflavored, Walters Bay Bogawantalawa Estates
Black Flavored: Gold Rush, International Tea Importers
Black Unflavored: Bl Blend, International Tea Importers
Green Flavored: Organic Pomegranate Melon Green Tea, Shangri La Tea Co.
Green Unflavored: Organic Green, Shangri La Tea Co.
Herbal Flavored: Natural Berry, Ceylon Teas/Silkenty

Freestyle
Best Presentation: Tea in a Jar – Citron, Puripan
Herbal: Citron Tea, Jayone Foods
Mar-Tea-Ni: Tipu's Tiger Chai, Tipu's Tiger Chai
Tea: Iced Capateano, dr. teas

RTD
Best Packaging: White Jasmine Sparkling Tea, Golden Star Tea Co.
Black Flavored: Cha Dao Black Tea & Coffee - Yin Yang, The Cha Dao Tea Company
Black Sweetened (tie): Tea Mango, Ito En; Tipu's Tiger Chai Concentrate, Tipu's Tiger Chai
Black Unflavored: Anteadote, Adagio Teas
Green Flavored: Teas' Tea Green Jasmine, Ito En
Green Sweetened: Vida Tea Desert Pear, Healthy Innovations
Green Unflavored: Oi Ocha, Ito En
Herbal Any: Cha Dao Chrysanthemum, The Cha Dao Tea Company
Oolong Unflavored: Teas' Tea Golden Oolong, Ito En
White Flavored: White Jasmine Sparkling Tea, Golden Star Tea Co.

The World Tea Expo will return to the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, May 2-4, 2009. For more information on the World Tea Expo, visit www.worldteaexpo.com.