World Tea Expo 2014 Draws Thousands

Thousands of professionals celebrated tea and its evolution in the North American marketplace during the 12th annual World Tea Expo May 29-31 in Long Beach, Calif., at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center. 

The event was combined with Healthy Beverage Expo. The co-located business-to-business trade shows attracted more than 4,600 attendees and exhibitors from more than 50 countries.

World Tea Expo featured more than 200 exhibitors, highlighting the latest innovations, best new products and “what’s next” in tea. Delegates tasted new and award-winning teas and participated in three days of in-depth educational sessions and workshops, covering every aspect of the leaf as well as business development and retail.

At the Healthy Beverage Expo side of the event, forward-thinking beverage companies and professionals met face-to-face with key buyers, to create opportunities in the segment. Euromonitor International said health and wellness beverages – whether categorized as naturally healthy, fortified/functional, better for you or organic – continue to reach new heights in the U.S. market, eclipsing the $64 billion mark in 2013.

In addition to its new location, World Tea Expo launched the World Tea Awards, a dinner and ceremony held on the historic Queen Mary ship. The inaugural awards program recognized some of the best in the global tea industry, in a number of community-voted award categories, on May 30. 

Devan Shah, the creator and owner of International Tea Importers and Chado Tea Rooms, was presented the Cha Jing Lifetime Achievement Award during the World Tea Awards, for his significant contributions to the tea industry. The Cha Jing Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes and celebrates individuals who have made considerable contributions to the growth, innovation and education of the specialty tea industry throughout their lifetime.

World Tea Expo also reviewed and selected the very best new tea and tea-related products from among its many exhibitors, for its 2014 Best New Product Awards. 

Winners include:

•Best New Product – Tea as an Ingredient: Lumbini Ladalu Chakra, Lumbini Tea Factory, Sri Lanka – A handmade tea with a light and sweet taste, Lumbini Ladalu Chakra is part of the exclusive collection of Lumbini Tea Factory.

•Best New Product – Innovation: Biotre, Pacific Bag Inc. – Pacific Bag spent two years developing Biotre film, a biodegradable barrier material for packaging, which protects products and is ideal for the tea industry.

•Best New Product – Tea Ware: Deluxe Iced Tea Beverage System, Takeya USA – Create and enjoy handcrafted beverages in three simple steps with Takeya’s patented Flash Chill Iced Tea System.

•Best New Product – Open Class Finalists: Tea Pee – Prostate Support Tea, Nuwati Herbals – The herbs in Tea Pee have been traditionally used to assist with discomfort and frequent urination, and to support healthy bladders.