World Tea Media’s virtual event was the platform for their announcement of this year’s winners in 10 different categories. The T Ching team, as a finalist for the third time, listened excitedly to hear the results. Just being one of the top three in the Best Tea Publication category is still a reason for joy! We congratulate the Tea & Coffee Trade Journal for taking home the trophy this year. We celebrate all finalists and winners who are dedicated to specialty tea.

Best Tea Publication

Honors the best tea publication, blog, or other media outlet that covers tea.

Finalists:
– T Ching, Babette Donaldson
– Tea & Coffee Trade Journal, Bell Publishing (Winner)
– TeaTime, Hoffman Media

Best Tea Video Content

Distinguishes the best use of video to enhance tea promotion or to promote tea products.

Finalists:
– “Sherpa Chai Story” by Pemba Sherpa
– “Matcha Art” by ITO EN (Winner) – See it here
– “The Untold Story of Tea” by Rui Liu, Grass People Tree (Videographer: Adrian Esterhuizen, Grain Films and Stills)

Best Tea Industry Innovation

Honors a new innovation that impacts the business of tea, moves tea forward in a positive way, or increases tea’s visibility in the beverage industry.

Finalists:
– Eloments Organic Vitamin Tea – Julie Hirsch and Nicole Lamond
– The Great Mississippi Tea Company – Jason McDonald and Timothy Gipson (Winner)
– NitroTea by SouthmaTea

Best Global Tea Excellence

Recognizes sustainability and social programs, processing innovations, labor condition improvements, etc.

Finalists:
– ITO EN
– Elephant Origins (Winner)
– Jeni Dodd, Jeni Dodd Tea (for awareness of tea growers in Nepal)

Best Tea Product

Honors eco-friendly or creative products, including tea blend development, teapots, tea infusers, design, etc.

Finalists:
– Silverback Sparkling Tea by 3 Mountains
– The Scents of Tea (Winner)
– BRU by BRU TEA

Best Service Excellence Award

Commends tea presentation and customer service that promotes growth in consumer awareness and tea appreciation.

Finalists:
– The G.S. Haly Company (Winner)
– Té Tea
– The Art of Tea

Best Tea Startup

Recognizes a new tea business that’s a shining example of how to do things right.

Finalists:
– Asheville Tea (United States)
– Fusspot Collagen Beauty Tea (Australia) (Winner)
– Teko | Traditional Icelandic Tea Blends (Iceland)

Best Tea Advocate

Honors a person or company that represents tea in a positive light by using a new approach, or by lecturing about tea or using tea in a meaningful way.

Finalists:
– Nicole Burriss, Owner, Taste All the Teas Special Events
– Ramaz Chanturiya, Chairman, Tea Masters Cup (Winner)
– Sharyn Johnston, Founder & CEO, Australian Tea Masters

Best Tea Campaign

Recognizes the best tea campaign, which includes new branding ideas, marketing efforts, ad campaigns, events, product promotion and other fresh ideas.

Finalists:
– Northwest Tea Festival – Julee Rosanoff and Doug Livingston
– Flying Tea Kits by Café Barnabas (Winner)
– Rose Glow Tearoom – Fallon Keplinger

Best Tea Culinary / Craft Application

Highlights the best in craft and culinary tea applications in food and beverage.

Finalists:
– TeaClassics – Yoon Hee Kim
– Eat More Tea – Lisa McDonald, Owner, TeaHaus (Winner)
– Hoplark Hop Tea – Dean Eberhardt and Andrew Markley