T Ching Contributing Writer
Maria Uspenski‘s love of tea was fostered at an early age by her Russian family. Later, as an undergraduate student in Paris, France, she was introduced to many more varieties than the traditional black teas of her childhood. During stints as a ballet dancer and athlete, Maria began to discover the health benefits of tea. Fast forward to 2010. Maria is now the Founder and CEO of The Tea Spot, educating the public as well as her two daughters on ways to enjoy tea to enhance a healthy lifestyle. Her message is simple and powerful – tea in its freshest form renders exceptional flavor, unmatched health benefits, and is eco-friendly.
A certified woman-owned and operated business, The Tea Spot produces innovative and patented products to modernize the loose-leaf tea experience. The award-winning Steepware® line promotes the ease of loose tea preparation. The Tea Spot’s line of microblended loose teas includes organic and Fair-Trade Certified™ estate teas as well as handcrafted signature blends. The company is committed to clean, sustainable, and fair manufacturing standards.
Maria’s inspiration to start The Tea Spot grew out of her passion to foster wellness for cancer survivors through full-leaf tea. She had the entrepreneurial skills necessary to put her plans into action. Her 20 years in management, marketing, and product research and design came from her work with IBM, Control Data Corporation, and EcoSoftware, a computer systems engineering firm that she founded and operated. Under Maria’s leadership, EcoSoftware sustained a consistent 30 percent annual growth rate during its eight-year existence. Lockheed Martin named it their “Supplier of the Year” in 1999. Maria sold the firm in 2000. An MIT mechanical engineer, she is listed on three U.S. patents – one for her work with IBM and two for The Tea Spot’s line of Steepware™. Her engineering and business expertise now make it easier for us all to steep up the perfect cup of loose-leaf tea.
Based in Boulder, Colorado, The Tea Spot’s culture of social entrepreneurship incorporates a culture of giving as it grows – ten percent of every sale is donated in-kind to cancer and community wellness programs.
Websites
Posts by Maria Uspenski
- Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony (7/11/2023)
- Rooibos; Herbal with Power and Pizazz, but no Caffeine! (2/3/2023)
- Tea and Food Pairing; What Goes With Tea? (10/20/2022)
- My Affair With Puerh Tea; Love at First Sip (9/19/2022)
- Tea in Literature: Polly put the kettle on, We’ll all have tea. (7/18/2022)
- You Don’t Have to Break the Piggy Bank to Drink Great Tea; Health and Affordable (6/22/2022)
- Tea for Romance (6/3/2022)
- What’s Your Rocky Mountain High? (1/21/2022)
- Tea and Spice Rub Blend for Turkey (11/17/2021)
- Herb and Tea Pairing; Fantastic Blends With Your Favorite Foods (10/28/2021)
- Boost Productivity With Tea (9/2/2021)
- How To Make Tea Gelato (7/14/2021)
- Om, My-My Matcha (6/30/2021)
- Tea and Food Pairing: Breakfast (7/10/2015)
- Flashback Friday: tea and breakfast! (5/29/2015)
- Should Russians stick to vodka? (6/13/2014)
- Would you like some tea with that beer? (8/26/2013)
- The story behind our smoky tea blends at The Tea Spot (2/27/2013)
- How to keep calm and carry on in New York’s West Village (1/29/2013)
- We steep it pink for breast cancer awareness (10/8/2012)
- Do you cold brew? (9/14/2012)
- Tea in Ireland was a Corker (8/9/2012)
- Tea wedding favors (7/11/2012)
- World Tea Expo – A view from inside (6/15/2012)
- If strength is your weakness, Assam is your tea (5/17/2012)
- Tea is always in season at the Boulder Farmers’ Market (4/19/2012)
- Hotel Boulderado – History, luxury, and good tea (3/20/2012)
- A sporting life fueled by tea (7/1/2010)
- Get the skinny on white tea (2/11/2010)
- Holiday tea pairings (AKA visions of sugarplums) (12/17/2009)
- More on tea – a drink with jam and bread (11/19/2009)
- Tea – a drink with jam and bread (10/22/2009)
- Some less-than-savory tea-herb pairings (8/27/2009)
- Subtlety in tea tasting – or how to fall in love with white tea (5/7/2009)
- Holiday gifting – make your own tea-infused vodkas (12/24/2008)
