Last weekend was the second occassion I had to attend The Tea and Coffee Show in Toronto and I can tell you its was a spectacular for me as the first time. In 2007, I was a plucky gal and registered for this trade show, saying that I was looking into a tea shop start-up. I registered for the tea cupping session and frozen desserts. At that time there were not that many distributors in the trade show and it was easy to walk around between the sessions to have a look at the trade booths. I was lucky to get some free samples of tea from the vendors and to meet vendors I might do business with. They were eager to share information.
My first cupping experience was with Brendon, the Tea Guy. I tasted a tea that was so full of energy and life, I knew that I wanted to search exactly for that energy, for that communication between self and tea. Even Brendon admitted years later that he'd not found a tea similar to the one we tasted that day in 2007.
Waiting for the next session, I heard there was going to be a tea steep-off, a contest involving some new machinery called a tea press, used in the same way as a coffee expresso machine but crushing the whole tea first. Seeing The Tea Guy, Brendon passing by, I asked for directions. However, he insisted that I attend as a guest judge at the steep-off of all things. Following his instructions, I went up to the judging panel and sat down next to a man. I asked who he was and I learned I was sitting next to Bill Kamula, one of the instructors at George Brown College in the Tea Sommellier course. He looked at me and asked, "Who are you?" and I replied. "I'm your next student!" and indeed I was. I registered in the Tea Sommellier program only a few weeks later.
The winning tea drink in 2007 was made by Margot who won with her Spice Pumpkin Chai Latte. Even Jennifer Bain, the Food Editor from the Toronto Star and fellow judge was overwhelmed with the deliciousness of this hot tea drink and devoted more than a full page to the Show in 2007. Margot B. not only won the competition that year, she also won the Tea Cocktails at the Show this year. She is a great competitor and has certainly established the bar (no pun intended) on drinks in the house with her Banana Creme.
There were many other highlights including the amazing Gyokuro tea prepared by three representatives of the Japanese Tea Exporters' Association. I sat with my Sommellier colleagues listening to Canada's best known tea sommellier, Karen Hartwick from Strattford's Tea Leaves speak about business start-up. I love her passion for tea. She has so much to offer and I am so eager to learn. In fact, I asked Karen for a photo. We both grinned and found out later that we were both Librans.
Once again I got free samples of tea and this time, I was able to introduce myself to the vendors as a Certified Tea Sommellier. On my way out from the trade show, I met Bill Kamula coming in. I am grateful for his teachings. See you next time everyone!
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