Fresh Cup Magazine, providing specialty coffee and tea professionals with unique insight into the trends, ideas, products and people that shape their world.
Issue link: http://freshcup.epubxp.com/i/178110
TEA MOVERS AND SHAKERS The North American Tea Championship named 17 first-place winners in categories including Dragonwell, Pan-Fired Green Tea, Matcha and Flavored Fruit Blends. First-place winners included Black Tusk Trading for its West Lake Dragonwell; DoMatcha for its Genmai Cha; First Tea for its Pu-erh; and La Crème Coffee & Tea for its White Peach Tea and others. See a complete list of winners at teachampionship.com. In related news, the World Tea Expo and Healthy Beverage Expo announced a change in venue for next year's show. In 2014 the co-located events will take place in Long Beach, Calif., instead of Las Vegas, with event organizers citing a desire to be closer to Southern California's healthminded beverage industry. The event takes place May 29-31. 702/253-1893. worldteaexpo.com and healthybeverageexpo.com HONEY, NATURALLY Unlike traditional honey, Nektar Honey Crystals—a granulated sweetener made from real honey—dissolve quickly into hot and cold beverages, offering an all-natural alternative to other sugars. The result is an innovative addition to coffee and tea, allowing drinkers to enjoy the benefits of a natural sweetener without the sticky mess, while single-serve packets offer hassle-free enjoyment. nektarnaturals.com FAIR TRADE ON THE RISE According to the 2012-13 annual report from global organization Fairtrade International, fair trade is the label of choice for consumers around the world. More than 1.3 million farmers and workers in 70 countries are part of 1,149 fair trade producer organizations, and consumer sales of fair trade products have increased significantly in key markets over the last year, though Fairtrade International CEO Harriet Lamb calls for further growth to break the "mold of unfairness that is so deeply embedded in trade." fairtrade.net A COFFEE LOVER'S TEA Having to decide between coffee and tea may become a thing of the past with Java Tea Company's launch of the first-ever line of coffee-inspired tea blends. The line's four blends are: The Diplomat (Caramel Macchiato); The Liberator (Dark Chocolate Mocha); The Revolutionary (Vanilla Latte); and The Activist (Espresso). Healthful yet flavorful, the brews offer antioxidants and bold flavors for tea and coffee drinkers alike. javateaco.com continued on page 76 freshcup.com October 2013 75