Judges evaluated 245 teas Feb. 25-26 during the Global Tea Championship meeting at Allegro Coffee in Thornton, Colorado. World Tea Media organized the event.
Scott Svihula, who participated as a judge said, “Since this is now opened to global entries, we had teas represented by 16 different countries. We tasted some single-origin teas in the open classes from countries that are relatively new to the US market. However, on the flavored categories, we are still getting entries that are artificial tasting or using a heavy hand in flavoring and not used to enhance the tea experience. There were even a few entries in which flavors were used that were obviously not created for tea beverage.”
Tea purveyors submitted a spectrum of tea varieties—from breakfast blends to flavored green teas and herbal infusions—for this round’s packaged single service and fall hot (loose leaf) classes. Each tea was given equal consideration as judges examined the leaves, liquor and taste.
To earn third place, teas had to earn a score of 60. Second place required a score of 70; and the threshold for first place was 80. Several categories did not have first place winners. All entrants receive constructive peer reviewed feedback.
Several purveyors entered teas in the flavored black category, while a handful of categories did not have many submissions. Some teas were entered in the wrong categories and had to be disqualified.
The Global Tea Championship judges highlighted:
The overall good quality of entered selections, but lack of exceptional teas.
The appearance of blending challenges, such as use of whole-sized ingredients with smaller tea leaf. Harmonizing on density of each ingredient is critical for consistent flavor profile.
The positive direction of higher-quality teas and ingredients being used in the single serve bagged category.
Kukicha (Loose):
Second: Teaja Organics Kukicha
Hojicha (Loose):
Second: Sugimoto America SA Hoji Cha
Third: TeaSource Hojicha
Gunpowder (Loose):
No winners
Jasmine Green (Open Leaf) (Loose):
Second: Garden to Cup Organics Moonlight Jasmine
Third: Teaja Organics Starlight Jasmine
Jasmine Green (Pearl) (Loose):
First: Teaja Organics Jasmine Pearls Private Reserve
Second: Garden to Cup Organics Jasmine Pearls Private Reserve
Third: Royal Tea NY Jasmine Pearls
Assam (Loose):
First: Florapharm Tea USA LP Assam GTGFOP1 Halmari (cl)
Second: Dinjoye Tea Estate Assam Golden Tips
Third: Chota Tingrai Tea Estate Chota Tingrai Assam Whole Leaf Black Tea (TGFOP1)
Darjeeling (2nd) (Loose):
No winners
Darjeeling (Autumnal) (Loose):
Third: Teaja Organics Darjeeling Autumn
Keemun (Loose):
Second: Garden to Cup Organics Imperial Keemun Private Reserve
Third: Meimei Fine Teas Imperial Gongfu Black Tea
Yunnan (Loose):
Second: Garden to Cup Organics Yunnan Golden Tip
Third: Teaja Organics Yunnan Golden Monkey
Black Tea (Orthodox) (Loose):
First: Lumbini Tea Factory (Pvt) Ltd Lumbini Sinharaja Wiry Tips (FBOPF Extra Special)
Second: Florapharm Tea USA LP NOP Organic Nepal Hand Rolled Floral Guranse
Third: Teaja Organics Wuyishan Golden Tips
Pu-erh Tea (Loose):
Second: International Tea Importers Pu-erh
Third: Garden to Cup Organics Pu'erh 1998 Private Reserve
Dark Tea (Loose):
Second: Garden to Cup Organics Lu’an Private Reserve
Black Tea ( Machine, CTC) (Loose):
Second: Amarawati Tea Company LTD Halmari Gold CTC
Third: Compañia Ecuatoriana del Té, C.A. Black CTC 2017
Breakfast Blend (Loose):
First: Lumbini Tea Factory (PVT) LTD Lumbini Breakfast Tea (FBOPF)
Second: Tapestry Tea Company Irish Breakfast
Third: Garden to Cup Organics Quatrain Breakfast
Blended Oolong (Loose):
First: Teaja Organics Lemongrass Mint Oolong
Second: Garden to Cup Organics Osmanthus Oolong
Blended Black (Loose):
Second: Agricola Himalaya High Grown Colombian Cacao Kisses
Third: De Koffieliefhebber Crispy Chocolate
Blended Pu-erh/Dark (Loose):
First: Tea Sip Black Walnut Brownie
Third: Carytown Teas Blood Orange Puerh
Ginseng Oolong (Loose):
First: Garden to Cup Organics Ginseng Oolong Supreme
Second: Sipping Streams Tea Company Ginseng Oolong
Third: Teaja Organics Ginseng Oolong
Moroccan Mint (Loose):
Second: Tea Forte Moroccan Mint
Third: Garden to Cup Organics Moroccan Mint
Flavored Oolong (Loose):
First: Citizentea.com Creamy Nut Oolong
Second: Teazen Angelic Aroma
Third: La Creme Coffee & Tea Pumpkin Spice Oolong Tea
Flavored Black (Loose):
First: Churchill's Fine Teas Lemon Drops Black Tea
Second: Garden to Cup Organics Citron Mint Black
Third: Tea Sip Lemon Lime
Earl Grey Black (Loose):
Second: Garden to Cup Organics Majestic Earl Grey
Third: Whispering Pines Tea Company Earl Gold Reserve
Flavored Pu-erh/Dark (Loose):
First: Teaja Organics Tangerine Basil Pu’erh
Second: Dethlefsen & Balk Pu-Erh Pistachio
Third: La Creme Coffee & Tea Diet Blend Tea
Chai (Masala Chai) (Loose):
First: Tea Sip Masala Chai
Third: Teaja Organics Mumbai Chai
Lapsang Souchong (Loose):
Third: Mark T. Wendell Tea Company HU-KWA
2017 Packaged Single Service
White Tea (Bagged):
Third: Silk Road Teas White Peony
Green Steamed (Bagged):
First: Shohokuenchaten Co., Ltd. Uji Gyokuro Tea Bag
Second: Ito En (North American) Inc. Matcha Green Traditional
Third: Newby Teas Green Sencha 25 Count Tea Bags
Green Pan Fired (Bagged):
Second: Zealong Tea Estate Zealong Green
Third: Shangri La Tea Co. Inc. Organic Green
Green Oolong (Bagged):
First: Zealong Tea Estate Zealong Oolong
Black (Single Origin)(Bagged):
First: Zealong Tea Estate Zealong Black
Second: Glenburn Tea Direct Pure Darjeeling Tea
Third: Newby Teas Darjeeling 25 Count Tea Bags
Breakfast (Bagged):
Third: Mighty Leaf Tea Organic Emperor's Breakfast
Pu-erh/Dark Tea(Bagged):
Second: Mighty Leaf Tea Organic Vintage Pu'er
Green Blended (Bagged):
Third: Ito En (North American) Inc. Matcha Green Ginger
Oolong Blended (Bagged):
No winners
Black Blended (Bagged):
Third: Farmer Brothers Artisan Collection Chai Spice Black Tea Sachet
Pu-erh/Dark Blended (Bagged):
No winners
Herbal Blended (Cup):
Third: Special Tea Company Detox Supreme with BC30 Probiotic
Herbal Blended(Bagged):
First: Numi Turmeric Three Roots
Second: Twigs Naturals Caribbean Christmas Tea
Third: Farmer Brothers Artisan Collection Organic Chamomile Lavender Mint Herbal Tea Sachet
Herbal(Bagged):
Third: Twigs Naturals Mint Tea
White Flavored(Bagged):
Third: Big T NYC Tell-Tale Glow
Green Flavored (Hot Soluble):
No winners
Green Flavored (Bagged):
Second: Mighty Leaf Tea Organic Royal Passion Fruit Green
Third: Newby Teas Oriental Sencha 25 Count Tea Bags
Oolong Flavored (Bagged):
No winners
Black Flavored (Hot Soluble):
No winners
Black Flavored (Bagged):
Second: Two Leaves and a Bud Tea Company Organic Earl Grey Black Tea
Third: Mighty Leaf Tea Earl Grey Crème
Rooibos Flavored (Cup):
No winners
Rooibos Flavored (Bagged):
Second: Mighty Leaf Tea Organic Blood Orange Rooibos
Third: Walters Bay Vanilla Rooibos
Herbal Flavored (Bagged):
Second: Two Leaves and a Bud Tea Company Organic Detox Herbal Tea for Recovery
Third: Celestial Seasonings Sangria Zinger