LAS VEGAS, Nev. (March 8, 2011)—The North American Tea Championship named 19 first-place winners in its annual Hot Tea Class / Fall Tea evaluation, which took place Feb. 22 – 23 in Las Vegas, Nev. Rishi Tea led the group by winning a total of four first-place spots in the competition, and five first-time competitors came out on top in each of their categories...

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TEA CHAMPIONSHIP REVEALS BEST-OF-THE-BEST IN NORTH AMERICA

Rishi Tea Stands out at North American Tea Championship with the Most First-Place Wins; Five First-time Competitors Take the Top Prize in Their Categories

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (March 8, 2011)—The North American Tea Championship named 19 first-place winners in its annual Hot Tea Class / Fall Tea evaluation, which took place Feb. 22 – 23 in Las Vegas, Nev. Rishi Tea led the group by winning a total of four first-place spots in the competition, and five first-time competitors came out on top in each of their categories. Tea companies that took a prestigious first-place title include: Ajiri Tea Company; Barnes & Watson Fine Teas; China Mist Brands; Globex America dba Cavallini Coffee & Tea; Naivetea; Qtrade Teas & Herbs; Rare Tea Cellar Inc.; The Republic of Tea; TeaGschwendner; Teas Etc.; Tao Tea Leaf; and Yogic Chai – all of which offer tea products in the North American marketplace.

The first-time competitors who bested the competition include: Ajiri Tea Company, Globex America dba Cavallini Coffee & Tea, Rare Tea Cellar Inc., Tao Tea Leaf; and Yogic Chai.

Overall, competitors showcased an assortment of premium fall teas in 19 different categories – from Assam to Yunnan – and the renowned judges evaluated nearly 200 teas. The Championship is the only independent and professionally-judged tea competition in North America. Each year, the competition identifies the highest quality and best tasting teas that are commercially available in the marketplace.

First place “Signature Famous Teas” winners include:

• Assam – TeaGschwendner, Assam SFTGFOP Marangi Second Flush
• Bai Hao/Oriental Beauty – Barnes & Watson Fine Teas, Bai Hao - Exquisite
• Breakfast Blend – The Republic of Tea, Lucky Irish Breakfast Full-Leaf Loose Tea
• Chai – Yogic Chai, Original Masala Chai
• Darjeeling – Rishi Tea, Organic Fair Trade Darjeeling Estate Select
• Earl Grey – Rishi Tea, Organic Fair Trade Earl Grey
• Jasmine – The Republic of Tea, Imperial Republic Jasmine Pearls
• Keemun – Tao Tea Leaf Ltd., Keemun Kong Fu
• Yunnan – Rishi Tea, Organic Fair Trade Golden Needle

First place “General Category Teas” winners include:

• Aged/Baked Oolong Tea – Naivetea, Dong Ding Oolong
• Black Tea – Qtrade Teas & Herbs, Winter Frost
• Black Tea CTC (crush, tear, curl) – Ajiri Tea Company, Ajiri Tea
• Blended Black Tea – China Mist Brands, Organic Berry Black
• Blended Oolong Tea – Teas Etc., Ginseng Oolong
• Dark Oolong Tea – Qtrade Teas & Herbs, Red Robe Oolong
• Flavored Oolong Tea – Globex America dba Cavallini Coffee & Tea, Plum, Mango Sake
• Flavored Rooibos Blends – Rare Tea Cellar Inc., Gingerbread Dream Rooibos
• Green Oolong Tea – Rishi Tea, Bao Zhong
• Flavored Black Tea – The Republic of Tea, Fair Trade Cranberry Blood Orange Full-Leaf Loose Tea

Kim Jage, executive vice president of World Tea Media, producers of the North American Tea Championship and World Tea Expo, said, “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 North America.”

The tea submissions were evaluated blind and through organoleptic analysis of the following characteristics: dry leaf, brewed color, brewed aroma, brewed flavor, brewed mouth-feel, and brewed harmony. An overall numerical value on a 100-point scale was then calculated based on the ratings of each characteristic above. Winners were determined by rank.

A complete list of first, second and third-place winners of the North American Tea Champions is available at www.teachampionship.com.

A Winners’ Tasting Circle will be held at 2011 World Tea Expo June 24 -26 for all attendees. The next North American Tea Championship will be held in July in Las Vegas for an evaluation of spring teas. Entries will be accepted in June. To inquire about entering the competition, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Judges of the North American Tea Championship included:

• Eliot Jordan, Peet's Coffee & Tea
• Jane Pettigrew, internationally-renowned tea expert
• Mike Spillane, G.S. Haly Company
• David Walker, a prominent tea taster and tea expert
• Marty Kushner, past president of Southern Tea Company and the Tea Association of the USA and current co-chair of the Tea Association’s Tea and Health Committee

Cupping Coordinators included:

• Suzette Hammond, Peet's Coffee & Tea
• Aaron Vick, G.S. Haly Company

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About the North American Tea Championship

North American Tea Championship is produced by World Tea Media, which also produces World Tea Expo and World Tea News. Until 2010, the North American Tea Championship was called World Tea Championship and it was held in-conjunction with the Expo. Today, it is an independent event, judged by professional cuppers, that evaluates premium teas from around the world that are sold in North America. The annual Championship is made up of two classes: Hot Tea and Iced Tea. Each class consists of its own categories and judging panel. The Hot Tea Class is evaluated twice a year: February for fall teas and July for spring teas. The Iced Tea Class is evaluated once a year in May. Winners of the Tea Championship are announced after each respective evaluation. For more information, visit www.teachampionship.com.