Irving, Texas-based La Crème Coffee & Tea’s Blueberry White Tea stood out in the recent Global Tea Championship’s Iced Tea Competition in Montebello, California. The tea was awarded a gold medal in the Flavored White Iced Tea category with a score of 90 on a 100-point scale.
Samantha Hamilton, director and sales manager at La Crème, and the owner’s daughter, said, “We were thrilled that it won. Personally it’s one of my favorites.”
Judges described the tea as “outstanding” and with a “really good taste.” When evaluating the teas, three judges considered the quality of the leaves, the color of the brewed tea’s liquor, as well as its aroma and flavor.
La Crème has earned several Global Tea Championship awards in the past and as with the company’s other notable teas, there is a story behind how the Blueberry White Tea came into existence.
Hamilton’s inspiration for creating the blend of white tea, blueberries and other flavors came from her mother, who was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. Hamilton, who had studied tea and herbs through the Specialty Tea Institute and the World Tea Academy, said, “I did some research because I didn’t want her drinking anything that could harm her or interfere with the chemotherapy or radiation.”
White tea’s antioxidants and other health benefits appealed to Hamilton who also wanted her mother to avoid beverages high in sugar or high fructose corn syrup.
