The Global Tea Championship's 2018 Fall Hot Loose Leaf Competition took place in Boulder, Colorado March 24. Entrants from 7 countries submitted 147 teas in 27 categories. Three judges—Scott Svihula, Suzette Hammond and Aaron Vick—tasted and evaluated all of the teas. Here are the results of the competition.
Assam
Bronze: Vahdam Teas Private Limited—Assam Gold Second Flush Black Tea
Black Tea (Machine, CTC)
Bronze: Kai Organic Tea—Texas Iced Tea
Black Tea (Orthodox)
Silver: Glenworth Tea Estate—Orange Twist
Bronze: Garden to Cup Organics—Anhui Imperial Private Reserve
Blended Black
Silver: The Milana Company—The Queen's Royal Blend
Blended Oolong
Bronze: Old Village Puer Pte. Ltd.—Woken Dragon
Blended Puerh/Dark
Bronze: Old Village Puer Pte. Ltd.—Imperial Treasure
Breakfast Blend
No winners
Chai (Masala Chai)
No winners
Darjeeling Second Flush
No winners
Darjeeling (Autumnal)
No winners
Dark Tea
Bronze: Garden to Cup Organics—Lu'an Private Reserve
Earl Grey Black
Gold: Florapharm Tea USA—Bergamot
Silver: Garden to Cup Organics—Majestic Earl Grey
Bronze: Firsd Tea North America—Earl Grey
Flavored Black
Silver: CitizenTea—Smores
Bronze: Florapharm Tea USA—Mango Moringa Natural
Flavored Decaf
Silver: Dethlefsen & Balk Inc.—Lemon/Pineapple
Bronze: Florapharm Tea USA—Decaffeinated Earl Grey Natural
Flavored Oolong
Bronze: Garden to Cup Organics—Spring Garden Oolong
Flavored Puerh/Dark
Bronze: Teas Etc. Inc.—Butter Pecan Pu-erh
Ginseng Oolong
Bronze: Dethlefsen & Balk Inc.—Lan Gui Ren – Ginseng Oolong
Gunpowder
No winners
Hojicha
No winners
Jasmine Green (Open Leaf)
Silver: Meimei Fine Teas—King Jasmine Green Tea
Bronze: Garden to Cup Organics—Moonlight Jasmine
Jasmine Green (Pearl)
No winners
Keemun
No winners
Lapsang Souchong
No winners
Moroccan Mint
Gold: Newby Teas—Moroccan Mint Heritage Collection
Puerh
Silver: Florapharm Tea USA—Organic Pu-Erh China “Palace Pu-Erh”
Bronze: Wild Yunnan Tea—Wild Ancient Shu Puerh
Unique Open Class
Gold: Garden to Cup Organics—Lapsang Souchong Bespoke
Gold: Glenburn Tea Direct—Khongea Assam Silver Needles
Silver: Newby Teas—White Jasmine Special
Silver: Lumbini Tea Valley—Manjary
Silver: Lumbini Tea Valley—Tipsy Eve
Silver: Florapharm Tea USA—Organic Black Japan Wakoucha
Silver: Lumbini Tea Valley—Sinharaja Wiry Tips
Silver: Garden to Cup Organics—Cameron Valley Private Reserve
Bronze: Lumbini Tea Valley—Silver Needles
Bronze: TEKO ehf—Birki Blend
Bronze: Bitaco Unique Colombian Tea—Colombian Black Tea
Bronze: Walters Bay—Golden Rings
Bronze: TeaGschwender—New Zealong Black Tea
Bronze: Old Village Puer Pte. Ltd.—Fresh Fusion
Bronze: Vahdam Teas Private Limited—Smoky Assam Souchong Black Tea
Yunnan
Silver: TeaVivre—Yu Nan Dian Hong Black Tea-Golden Tip
Bronze: Garden to Cup Organics—Yunnan Golden Monkey
Judge’s Choice
Vahdam Teas Private Limited—Earl Grey Masala Chai Tea
The Milana Company—The Royal Emperor’s Chai