For two days in February, five judges renowned for their tea-tasting skills assessed nearly 200 premium loose-leaf teas for the North American Tea Championship/Hot Tea Class-fall harvested teas.The teas were divided into two main groups, Signature Famous Teas and General Categories. Each group contained nine categories. Judges chose a first, second and third place winner in each category.
The results were both interesting and encouraging. Rishi Tea won four of the 18 available first place positions. They also won four second place honors and one third, making them the tea company with the best overall result in the competition.
Rishi was not the only company to have multiple first place teas.Republic of Tea had three. Qtrade, the wholesalers, had two.
Several returning competitors: Naivetea, TeaGschwendner, Barnes and Watson Fine Teas, China Mist Brands, and Teas Etc. had one first place each.
Five newcomers to the NATC also scored first place wins. Yogic Chai won first place in the chai category for their Organic Masala Chai. Ajiri won for Black Tea CTC (crush, tear, curl). Tao Tea Leaf Ltd. won for best Keemun. Globex America, dba (doing business as) Cavallini Coffee and Tea won for Flavored Oolong. Last, Rare Tea Cellar won for Flavored Rooibos Blend.
The introduction of these lesser known teas is good news tea consumers. According to Kim Jage, executive vice president of World Tea Media, “This North American Tea Championship was eye-opening as it allowed several first-time competitors, who are all offering high quality tea, the chance to be recognized. This event continues to confirm the significant number of premium loose-leaf teas from companies in America.“__World Tea Media press release.
All tea submissions were subjected to blind evaluation through organoleptic (sensory organ-related) analysis based the characteristics of dry leaf, brewed color, brewed aroma, brewed flavor, brewed mouth-feel and brewed harmony. Judges rated each characteristic then calculated the total to give each tea a numerical value on a 100-point scale.
The winning teas all scored in the 80-89 range as “very good teas with superior characteristics.” In most categories, there was no more than one point difference between the first place tea and the second or even third place tea. Consumers, therefore, could choose either a first, second, or third place winning tea and still have a very good tea. For a complete list of first, second and third place winners, readers can go to www.teachampionship.com
NATC judges included world-famous tea expert Jane Pettigrew, prominent tea expert and tea taster David Walker, Mike Spillane of G.S. Haly Company, Eliot Jordon of Peet’s Coffee and Tea, and Marty Kushner. Kushner is the co-chair of the Tea Association’s Tea and Health Committee and the past president of Southern Tea Company.
Suzette Hammond of Peet’s Coffee and Tea and Aaron Vick of G.S. Haly Company served as cupping coordinators.
Attendees at the 2011 World Tea Expo in Las Vegas this June will be able to experience the teas at the Winners' Tasting Circle.
The next NATC will be Iced Tea Class, held in May. Winners will be announced at the World Tea Expo.
The Hot Tea Class/Spring Teas will be held in Las Vegas in July. Entries will be accepted until June. Those interested should contact liz@teachampionship.com.
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