Presentation & Workshop Details

This will be a hands-on workshop to experience tea made with a samovar in a variety of different ways, focusing on traditions of Russia and Eastern Europe. This is a class for those new to samovars and is appropriate for all ages and experience levels.

Both consumers and producers of tea fear uncertainty for the future of the industry and market. In this presentation a modern image of the current trends and obstacles in the trade of tea will be detailed. This image will be paralleled to the history of the tea trade, associated with imperial powers and corruption.

In this presentation learn:

• How the tea industry and market interact
• Impact of current geopolitics on the tea trade
• The connection between colonization and the modern economy of tea

This presentation explores the intricate and innovative process of Japanese green tea production, from the careful cultivation of tea leaves to the traditional and modern techniques used in processing. Together, we will delve into the various stages of production, including harvesting, steaming, rolling, and drying, highlighting how each step preserves the unique characteristics of Japanese green tea.

Tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world, yet it hasn’t seen the same specialty movement as coffee and craft beer. We will explore and uncover why—diving into history, culture, market dynamics, and consumer behavior. From the rise of third-wave coffee and microbreweries to the challenges of tea’s production and storytelling, the class unpacks why tea remains a niche rather than a mainstream movement. It also highlights emerging trends like matcha, chai, and wellness blends, offering insight into where the industry is headed.

Discover the elegance and depth of China’s finest organic teas with Royal Tea. In this session, you'll learn how to distinguish high-quality organic teas, understand the cultural heritage behind different tea varieties, and explore sustainable farming practices used in our USDA-certified partner tea gardens. We’ll share award-winning teas like Organic Mao Feng, Moonlight White, and Sticky Rice Pu-erh, and explain what makes them unique in flavor and process. Attendees will also gain insight into sourcing, health benefits, and trends in the global tea market. Come taste the tradition and innovation behind every cup.

Tea is more than a simple beverage, it can also be a practice that grounds, restores, and inspires. In this 45-minute session, tea ceremonialist Linh Le will share how to transform your tea practice into a personal ritual of mindfulness and meaning. You’ll walk away with practical tools for creating ritual in everyday life, inspiration for finding beauty in the simple, and new ways to let tea support your body, mind, and spirit beyond the cup.

Dian Cha (Tea Whisking) is an ancient Chinese tea preparation method that flourished during the Song dynasty over 1100 years ago. Unlike modern Chinese tea brewing, which focuses on steeping whole leaves, Dian Cha uses powdered tea and emphasizes a more artistic way of making and enjoying tea. In this workshop, we’ll introduce the history and culture behind Dian Cha, demonstrate the tools, techniques, and process — and you’ll get the chance to whisk and taste your own bowl of tea.

Join us for an immersive journey into the world of tea. Explore a variety of tea types, uncover their captivating origins, and enhance your palate with a guided tasting session led by expert tea sommelier.

Embark on a global tea adventure, discovering the rich cultural traditions and unique brewing methods that have shaped tea's history in diverse corners of the world.  From the serene tea ceremonies of Japan to the bustling tea houses of Morocco, we'll explore the fascinating stories behind this beloved beverage.

The Regency Period of England, generally considered 1810 to 1820, was the time period when Jane Austen published her most famous novels.  Having tea, whether prepared for the family or used to entertain friends and neighbors, was an important part of her own life as well as the characters in her novels.  It’s curious though: what teas were available then and how did people purchase tea? Were there choices like we have today? So much was happening then that affected trade and everyday life: the Napoleonic wars and ongoing battles across the Atlantic with the American colonies.

In this fun and engaging workshop we will taste teas that are similar to the teas Jane may have served, while learning about how tea was procured and imported to England.  We’ll talk about the contentious trade between the British East India Company and China and touch on the opium trade which ultimately helped finance British purchase of tea.  Social norms of the time are often romanticized, but what was day to day really like for families in Jane’s social class?

Enter the world of tea.  The what, where, when, and how to cultivate your relationship and understanding of tea and its benefits.  Join Holly Furen of My Necessitea and explore everything to know about tea in this informative presentation.

Step off the beaten path of Chinese tea and explore its hidden corners in this captivating presentation by Neldon Hamblin (“Tea With Neldon”). Outside of classics like tieguanyin, China is home to a vast array of unique teas with stories as rich as their flavors. From Chong Shi Cha to meicha and the mysterious “panda tea,” we’ll explore the cultural heritage, legends, and traditions behind these rare brews, learning about the unusual harvesting methods, processing techniques, and the unique ways these teas are enjoyed across China. Whether new to tea or a tea professional, this session promises to surprise, educate, and inspire you to explore the fascinating world of Chinese teas.

Once the crown jewel of the British Empire, Sri Lanka's mighty tea industry now faces several debilitating environmental and social issues. However, a group of artisanal tea producers has banded together to revolutionize how tea is grown, made, and consumed in Sri Lanka. The Ceylon Artisan Tea Association's collaborative social and sustainable enterprises and exceptional specialty teas are changing the world’s perception of Ceylon tea. Join CATA's tea tasting workshop to learn how CATA members uplift tea communities and rejuvenate the land. Taste a selection of CATA’s award-winning artisanal teas and experience the rebirth of Sri Lankan tea.

Whether it's a mug with a teabag in it or an elaborate drain-table strewn with the many vessels of a gongfu session -- as long as it serves tea, it is teaware. Through a combination of slide images and hands-on handling, Jonathan Steele will introduce examples of the wide variety of teaware and discuss the various origins and contexts as well as peculiar usefulness of the many designs for delivering tea into your mouth. He will share his perspective as a maker focused carefully on graceful performance, offer some personal opinion, and spark discussion on favorite types and pieces belonging to you, his audience.

Discover the fascinating journey of Indian tea from its indigenous beginnings to its modern revival. We will explore the precolonial era, when migrating tribes from Yunnan brought tea to Northeast India, crafting wild teas like Khalap or Phalap, which were fermented in bamboo and smoked over hearth fires. With colonization came vast tea estates focused on producing black tea for British tastes, transforming the landscape and labor systems. Post independence, many estates shifted to absentee ownership, leading to mass produced low quality tea and ongoing labor exploitation. Today, a new wave of passionate small scale sustainable tea makers, many farming under five acres, are reclaiming tradition by crafting exquisite whole leaf teas and experimenting with oolongs, yellow teas, and more. Join us as we trace this vibrant evolution and celebrate the future of Indian tea.

Introduction to Zealond estate, tasting of 3 teas, cultivation, location.

Oolong tea is known for its rich aroma and complex processing. In this presentation, we’ll explore how Oolong is made and what makes it so unique. We’ll also dive into the four major production regions: Northern Fujian, Southern Fujian, Guangdong, and Taiwan. Each has its own signature styles and iconic teas, shaped by local climate, culture, and craft.

Mark Mohler will demonstrate how he shapes clay teawares live while explaining the effect of aesthetic nuances in teapot spouts and bodies. As a craftsman it’s important for him to understand why different forms lead to varied results in brewing quality, pour speed, and beauty of tea stream. You’ll get a better understanding of how forms evolve in the context of teawares from other cultures.

Discover how your daily habit of tea drinking can transform not just your body but also your mind and spirit. In "Unlocking Tea's Full Potential: Ritual, Science, and Renewal," Kiyomi guides you through the intersection of ancient Japanese tea ceremony and modern science. Learn why and how tea nurtures your strength and health—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

By attending, you will learn how to:

• Understand the science behind tea’s health benefits, including its effects on focus, mood, and resilience.
• Discover the science embedded in ancient Japanese tea rituals.
• Transform ordinary tea breaks into intentional practices that strengthen mental clarity, emotional balance, and renewal.

Northern Việt Nam's tea landscape is shaped by a convergence of climate, ethnic traditions, geopolitics, and trade—an interplay shared across other tea-producing regions, yet deeply rooted in its own local context. We'll explore how shifting climates continue to impact cultivation and processing methods, prompting both traditional adaptations and new, sustainability-driven approaches. From mist-covered heritage forests to rocky plateaus where tea is fired using corn stalks, terroir and microclimate profoundly influence what teas are made and how they're crafted.

We'll also explore the rise of on-site and local processing that shorten supply chains and retain more value at origin, and the cross-border dynamics that impact the visibility and branding of Vietnamese teas on the global stage. Through firsthand experiences and relationships, and personal stories from her journeys sourcing tea, Anna Ye will share her insight into how the land, people, and tea are deeply connected.

Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how micro-regional flavor profiles, ethnic minority knowledge, and shifting global markets all play a role in the future of Vietnam's specialty tea sector.

The Wu-Wo (San Self) tea ceremony allows an unlimited number of participants to brew and serve tea together. Rooted in Chinese Gong-Fu brewing, it is usually done outdoors in a circle with each participant serving the three people on their left. The spirit of the gathering embodies principles such as giving without expectation and cultivating thoughtfulness towards others. Come learn this simple yet profound ceremony and leave with enough knowledge to have a tea gathering with your friends. 

Discover the wisdom of Ayurveda and its connection to herbal tea selection with Khulan, a holistic nutritionist and founder of Amu Nutrition Functional Tea Company. In this engaging presentation, you'll learn to identify your Ayurvedic body type—Vata, Pitta, or Kapha—and understand which teas and herbs best support your unique constitution. Gain insights into balancing energy, digestion, and overall well-being through nature’s healing botanicals. Whether you're looking to soothe, energize, or restore harmony, this session will empower you to make mindful tea choices for optimal health. Join Khulan and unlock the art of personalized wellness!

Explore what makes white, dark, and oolong teas unique in this informative session. Learn what tea truly is, how these three types are processed, and the specific health benefits each offers. From the delicate antioxidants of white tea to the probiotic-rich qualities of dark teas and the metabolism-boosting power of oolongs, this class offers a flavorful journey into the world of wellness through tea.