Shabnam Weber
The brewing debate around defining specialty tea…
Who knew that specialty tea could be so heated? (Sorry, it’s a lame pun but I could not resist!) I should clarify — the brewing debate (and it’s certainly ‘brewing’) centres around the attempt to define specialty tea. There was no true or even “working” definition of “specialty tea” until last week when the European Speciality Tea Association (ESTA) offered one.
Celebrating the 2nd International Tea Day
It is hard to believe that a year has passed and tomorrow, we will be celebrating our second International Tea Day. The day itself is to “…promote and foster collective actions to implement activities in favour of the sustainable production and consumption of tea and raise awareness of its importance in fighting hunger and poverty.” (United Nations)
Was 2020 the year to be forgotten or not to be forgotten?
It is still a bit unfathomable, but we have now all been living in a Covid-19 world for a year! So, has it been a year to be forgotten or not to be forgotten? That is the question Shabnam Weber, president of the Tea & Herbal Association of Canada, asked at the opening of her state of the industry report during the World Tea Virtual Summit, ‘Strategies for Success,’ which took place 15-16 March.
21 May — An international day to celebrate tea
Celebrated for the first time this year, International Tea Day offers the opportunity to recognise the importance of the tea industry, from seed to cup, to raise public awareness of the importance of the tea industry and its workers, and to improve the tea value chain.
Tea and Herbal Association of Canada celebrates International Tea Day with “SofaSummit”
To celebrate International Tea Day on 21 May, Tea and Herbal Association of Canada (THAC) president, Shabnam Weber, will host a SofaSummit and visit 13 countries and 14 time zones between 9 EST and 7:30 EST.
Moving beyond tea’s wellness message
Tea culture is continually evolving, and in turn, so is the motivation for consuming this beverage. On a broad scale, there are several exciting parallels between consumer consumption trends and the tea industry, such as clean labels, plant-based, wellness and customisation. However, there are challenges, including a decline in black tea purchases, poor out-of-home experiences and limited awareness about the incredible stories and experiences that tea has to offer.
The great debate: black tea vs green tea
Black tea and green tea are the leading teas consumed around the world. Green tea has an advantage over black tea for its “perceived” health benefits, while black tea has the familiarity and versatility advantage. How can both teas aim to attract more consumers? By Anne-Marie Hardie
The need to bring both voices to the table
Although the situation is slowly improving, better engagement is still required to understand women’s needs and ensure they are being given the same opportunities as men and treated fairly within the tea industry. By Anne-Marie Hardie The story of women within the tea industry is a multifaceted one. Pockets of the industry continue to suffer […]