What’s Brewing? – TEASPEC at the Mandrake Hotel London, Bama Tea, OK! Kombucha

“What’s Brewing?” is a World Tea News round-up of recent happenings, news and factoids from the global tea industry.

Here’s what’s notable:

TEASPEC Debuts at the Mandrake Hotel London
A pu'er tea company from Singapore, TEASPEC, was unveiled at the Mandrake Hotel during London’s inaugural Shamanic Tea Experience (STE) on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020. The event, which was hosted at the Mandrake's acclaimed YOPO restaurant, captured the imagination by displaying the most exotic teas from all over the world.

On display were TEASPEC’s collection of high-end pu'er teas of various vintages, as well as their LazyGo Travel Tumbler, exemplifying the contrast between the traditional and the modern in the world of tea. The STE menu was curated by Executive Chef George Scott-Toft, who sought to exhibit the rich history behind thousands of years of tea drinking.

“The demand for healthy, natural beverages and coffee substitutes has increased over time,” said TEASPEC Founder and Managing Director Carole Tan. “Consumers today don’t just want healthy tea. They are looking for a sustainable, superior, stimulant and that is what we aim to provide with pu'er tea.”

Offering dozens of colorful and innovative designs, TEASPEC products are sold all over Europe and Asia. “We are so excited to be at the Mandrake Hotel London, and we can’t wait to share this with the tea community in London,” Tan said. “Pu’er has been the most prized tea in East Asia for over two millenia. We love it, and that's why we want to introduce this to the many tea drinkers across the United Kingdom.”

To learn more, visit teaspec.com.

Bama Tea Holds a Tea Brand Summit
Chinese tea company, Bama Tea Co., Ltd., held a tea brand summit to showcase its offerings and Tieguanyin tea, a one-of-a-kind oolong tea, and to discuss the development of the industry. The event took place in Fujian on Oct. 10, 2020.

Tieguanyin tea products of Bama Tea have been leading sales in China for 11 consecutive years, according to the company.

During the event, the company also announced that the "Bama Tea Industry Research Institute" was established as an agricultural industrialization project, launched in partnership with the Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences. The plan is to build 10 research institutes in different industries this year, and the "Bama Tea Industry Research Institute" is the first for the tea industry. Bama Tea said it will work with the Research Institute to improve the standardization system of the tea industry around tea planting, processing, logistics, sales and management.

The factory and tea plantation of Bama Tea is located in Anxi County, a county of the municipal region of Quanzhou, in Fujian, China. Bama Tea now has more than 1,800 stores in China, and it is one of the largest chains selling tea in the region.

To learn more, visit bamatea.com.

OK! Kombucha Specializes in Home Delivery
Craft-beverage company OK! Kombucha, based in Toronto, Ontario – known for transcending traditional kombucha recipes into creative flavors – is staying ahead of the times by offering home delivery in local areas. In response to the current health epidemic, the company said the move to delivery allows customers to have access to their favorite kombucha without leaving the comfort and safety of their homes..

“The initial COVID-19 lockdowns saw the majority of our wholesale business disappear overnight. It was the perfect opportunity to launch a home delivery service,” said Erik Friedmann of OK! Kombucha. “Our customers are thrilled to easily order and enjoy their favorite kombucha flavor and not worry about running out.

The company is focused on customer satisfaction and safety, having instituted packing and delivery precautions that meet COVID-19 requirements. Delivery is available for single orders or on a subscription basis.

OK! Kombucha focuses on redefining the non-alcoholic beverage experience with unique, layered flavors that are crafted with fresh ingredients, ethically-sourced quality teas and cold-pressed juices. Popular beverages include: Mango Lemonade, Watermelon Mint, Orange Cardamom, Pear Rosewater, Peach Orange Blossom, and Ginger Jasmine. All flavors come in 12-ounce bottles.

For more information, visit okkombucha.ca.

- Aaron Kiel, World Tea News