Virtual Events: At Home Tastings

Virtual events offer education and entertainment, yes, but they offer so much more—safety, a great value, product sampling, expert instruction, and social interaction with like-minded enthusiasts.

Here are some upcoming can’t-be-missed virtual events that offer expert guidance, samples delivered to your home, and an interactive experience with fellow coffee and tea lovers.  Please keep in mind that due to their popularity, virtual events often sell out fast, so you’ll want to act quickly if you find one to your liking.  They also make a great gift!

	INTRO TO TEA MEDITATION—April 11, 2021—Let your stresses go. Remove distractions. Relax and find joy. Join this restorative 90-minute guided workshop exploring tea and meditation.  In this workshop, learn how meditating with tea calms the mind, grounds the body, and connects us to our senses. You’ll explore what a tea meditation practice looks like, discussing details like setting up a space at home, scheduling, items you may wish to use, and appropriate teas to consider.  This workshop includes lecture and guided exercises with tea, as well as an opportunity for group sharing and questions. You are welcome to bring your own teas to practice or you may opt to order this workshop + tea kit combo.
	TEA & WELLNESS—April 18, 2021—In this 90-minute virtual Tea & Wellness event, you’ll be led through a guided, tutored-tasting of four teas/tisanes while you learn about their amazing health benefits.  A tea tasting kit, including the four teas/tisanes to be brewed together as part of this seminar, is included and shipped to your home. Serves 4.  Limited tickets remain for this seminar.
	FLORAL TEAS—April 25, 2021—Join Michael Harney from Harney & Sons on a virtual tutored-tasting of the wonders and beauty of floral teas. Samples ship to home. Serves 4.  A joy for the eyes and the palate, floral teas impart their unique aroma and flavor into every sip. The four floral teas specially-selected for this virtual tasting event, are from the Harney & Sons collection and were chosen not only for their visual elegance, for their intoxicating scent and taste, and for their versatility, as they are tasty as a hot or cold drink.  The Harney & Sons sponsored events are always a hit, very popular among tea lovers!
	AFTERNOON TEA—May 16, 2021—Back by popular demand!  Educational, entertaining, and oh-so-delicious, this 90-minute virtual event will instruct you on how to enjoy and host a fabulous afternoon tea. Relax and learn about the history of afternoon tea, its various courses and how to enjoy them, plus tips on how to host your own afternoon tea. This event includes an afternoon tea tasting kit complete with tea, sweet treats, and jam delivered to your home. Serves 4.  Makes a great Mother’s Day gift.
	TEA WITH A PRINCESS—May 23, 2021—Join in on the fun—tea party with a princess is educational, entertaining, and oh-so-delicious.  This 30-minute virtual event will be fun for moms and kids—learn how to curtsy, how to hold a teacup, teatime manners, and more while you enjoy delicious tea and delectable sweet treats to be enjoyed during the event, all shipped to your home. Serves 4.  Makes a great Mother’s Day Gift! Two session times to pick from—select the one that is best for you!
	ETHOPIAN COFFEE TASTING WITH BUUNNI—June 6, 2021—Back by popular demand—this virtual event sold out earlier this year!  Elias and Sarina, Co-Founders of Buunni Coffee, will talk about Ethiopian coffee, coffee culture and the Ethiopian coffee ceremony.  All participants will receive fresh-roasted samples of three varieties of specialty Ethiopian coffee prior to the event. Please make sure to select your preference—beans or ground (for French press) during check out.
	CRAFT TEA TASTE TEST + UNIQUE WAYS TO BREW—June 13, 2021—Join fellow tea lovers and explore herbal craft teas. Join Michael O’Brien, owner of Philadelphia’s Craft Tea, for a virtual tasting event where he will take you on a guided tasting tour of four of his craft teas and a demonstration of different methods for brewing tea—including the Chemex, Espresso Shot, Kyoto slow-drip, Nitro Cold Brew, and Aeropress. This demo will show you how to use these brewing methods and provide you with an understanding of the benefits each provides for the tea brewing process. Tea samples included and ship to your home. Serves 4.

 

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Iconic illy Coffee Blend Now Available in Instant Coffee for U.S. Market

illycaffè, a global leader in high-quality coffee, just announced the introduction of illy Instant Coffee to the U.S., the first instant coffee made with illy's legendary blend of 100% Arabica beans that has been perfected over 85 years. Coffee lovers can choose from two roasts, Classico, with a smooth and mild taste, and Intenso, full bodied and intense with notes of deep cocoa, both delivering the distinctly illy taste and experience.

As retail sales for instant coffee rose by nearly $50 million in the U.S. in 2020,¹ its popularity is growing in a time when consumer consumption habits have drastically changed. More time at home doesn't necessarily equate to more time in daily routines as many look for a convenient and fast single-serve coffee option. Through a cold manufactured process that preserves essential aromas and flavors, plus the inclusion of finely ground coffee to enhance the taste, illy Instant Coffee delivers the richness, complexity, smoothness and balance of a traditionally prepared illy coffee.

"illy Instant Coffee has been loved throughout Europe and Asia for years, and we are now delighted to bring it to America as yet another convenient way to enjoy all that our legendary Arabica blend delivers to the cup," said Massimiliano Pogliani, CEO of illycaffè. "This is an instant coffee that stands apart in offering beautifully balanced taste and fragrant aromas, and the only instant coffee that meets the standards that we demand and our loyal customers expect and deserve."

illy Instant Coffee is packaged in a slim 95 gram soft can ideal for all coffee drinking experiences, from home to office or travel. It is available exclusively through illy's e-shop - www.illy.com and in illy Caffè locations and Shops for a retail price of $9.00 where those passionate about the distinct taste of illy coffee can earn rewards and exclusive benefits through the new illy Lovers loyalty program.

1 Mintel; Coffee and RTD Coffee: Incl Impact of COVID-19 - US - July 2020.

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World Brand Lab Releases Its ‘2021 Global Top 10 Luxury Tea Brands'

The "2021 Global Top 10 Luxury Tea Brands" analysis report was compiled exclusively by World Brand Lab and released last month, in New York, US. The report includes ten luxury tea brands from eight countries. The brands listed include Twinings (UK), Zhuyeqing (China), TWG (Singapore), Harney & Sons (US), and Mariage Frères (France), among others. Zhuyeqing is the only Chinese luxury tea brand on the list. Tea culture originated in China 4,700 years ago. Mount Emei in Sichuan Province, where Zhuyeqing comes from, is widely believed to be where the tea plant was first cultivated.

According to Superfinance, the number of tea lovers around the world has exceeded one billion. Global tea production is around 6.15 million tons, supplying more than 5,000 tea brands in the world. Seeking to set an impartial and reliable standard to help affluent consumers measure the quality of tea, World Brand Lab developed a global tea brand evaluation model with three core indicators—brand strength, consumer value-added index, and enterprise development index. Based on these three indicators, World Brand Lab exclusively offers its analysis report, "The Global Top 10 Luxury Tea Brands". The top 10 luxury tea brands in 2021 hail from eight countries, including the UK, the US, China, Singapore, France, Sri Lanka, India, and Japan.

World Brand Lab collected data of luxury tea brands all around the world to compile the "2021 Global Top 10 Luxury Tea Brands" report. World Brand Lab conducted an initial screening of more than 5,000 tea brands in the global market and selected 300 super brands. These brands are located in more than 20 countries with mature tea industries. The 300 super brands in the tea industry were then analyzed using big data tools, after which the ten most influential luxury tea brands were selected.

"The benefits of drinking tea have long been understood by the Chinese people and extend far beyond the effects of caffeine for which it is best known in the West," said Michael Rice, a member of the World Brand Lab expert panel based in New York. "From digestive health—including weight loss—to the enhancement of the circulatory system, the treatment of diabetes, and the improvement of memory, a daily tea-drinking regimen can improve your life and increase your enjoyment of it."

Haodong Yuan, president of World Executive Group and a member of expert panel, added that "from a historical perspective, China is the birthplace of many global brands. In contrary with today's China—a major luxury importer—China was a country of global luxury goods manufacturing and exporter 2,500 years ago. Ceramics, silk, and tea: these three ancient luxuries were almost monopolized by Chinese producers. Zhuyeqing is more than a business card of global luxury tea brands; it also carries the connotation and history of China's tea culture of over 4,700 years."

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Turn Wednesday to "Wednes-YAY": Dunkin' Launches Free Donut Wednesdays

Thanks to Dunkin', people may start thinking of Wednesday as the new Friday. The brand earlier this month announced the launch of Free Donut Wednesdays to help DD Perks® members sprinkle some sweetness into the middle of their week with a free donut.

Launched on Wednesday, March 24, and available each Wednesday through April 21, DD Perks members can enjoy one free classic donut with the purchase of any beverage at participating Dunkin' restaurants nationwide*. On Free Donut Wednesdays, members can enjoy favorite donut flavors like Strawberry Frosted with Sprinkles, Glazed, Boston Kreme, or Double Chocolate.

"We know people are craving some fun and excitement to break up the week. With Free Donut Wednesdays, we're excited to give our DD Perks members a free sweet treat to help beat the midweek slump and keep them running with a smile," said Joanna Bonder, Director, Loyalty Marketing and Strategy at Dunkin'.

For the perfect Free Donut Wednesday beverage purchase, Dunkin' has a new option that's sure to put a spring in your step. Why not try a new Blueberry Pomegranate flavored Dunkin' Refresher, a bright and brilliant combination of iced green tea, flavored fruit concentrate, and B vitamins** for those seeking a moment of refresh or the Blueberry Pomegranate flavored Dunkin' Refresher joins the brand's current Dunkin' Refreshers lineup, including Strawberry Dragonfruit flavored and Peach Passion Fruit flavored varieties.

Dunkin' guests who are not currently DD Perks members can take advantage of Free Donut Wednesdays by enrolling in DD Perks on the Dunkin' App or DDPerks.com. DD Perks members earn five points for every dollar they spend on qualifying purchases at Dunkin'. Once a member accrues 200 points, they receive a free beverage reward for any size, redeemable at participating Dunkin' restaurants.

To learn more about Dunkin', visit www.dunkindonuts.com or subscribe to the Dunkin' blog to receive notifications at https://news.dunkindonuts.com/blog.

*Excludes espresso shots, Fancies and Specialty Donuts. DD Perks members are eligible for one free classic donut with each drink purchased. Donut must be added to order when ordering in-store or in the mobile app.
**A good source of B3, B5, B6 and B12.

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White Claw® Hard Seltzer Iced Tea

This month, the hard seltzer leader introduced its latest innovation, White Claw® Hard Seltzer Iced Tea – a hard seltzer iced tea made with sustainably sourced brewed tea. White Claw® Hard Seltzer Iced Tea is crafted using a unique BrewPure® process, sustainably sourced brewed tea, and the finest flavors to deliver a wave of pure refreshment like no other.

Now available nationwide, White Claw® Hard Seltzer Iced Tea offers consumers a different way to enjoy the same gluten-free, 100 calories and 5% ABV White Claw® Hard Seltzer is beloved for. With the better-for-you tea category growing at a rapid pace and White Claw® Hard Seltzer's continued leadership in bringing innovation to the industry, the fusion of tea with the #1 hard seltzer is the perfect drink to satisfy tea lovers and hard seltzer drinkers alike.

"Since its inception in 2016, White Claw has seen incredible growth, and we don't plan to stop anytime soon. Our consumers crave more flavor and more variety, and that's just what we're delivering with White Claw® Hard Seltzer Iced Tea. You combine the leader in hard seltzer with the ever-growing tea trend, and you've got a winner," said John Shea, Chief Marketing Officer, White Claw Hard Seltzer, North America.

White Claw® Hard Seltzer Iced Tea comes in a 12-can variety pack with four popular tea flavors – Lemon, Raspberry, Mango and Peach – all blending the perfect flavor balance of sustainably sourced brewed tea and the finest fruit flavors.  

• White Claw® Hard Seltzer Iced Tea Lemon is crafted with cold pressed lemon zest, providing just the right balance of zesty and sweet, with that refreshing iced tea and lemon taste.
• White Claw® Hard Seltzer Iced Tea Raspberry is complete with a fruity berry flavor thoughtfully paired with a hint of tartness.
• White Claw® Hard Seltzer Iced Tea Mango has an unmistakable mango flavor that immediately transports you to the world of warm and tropical. Not overpowering, the flavor is crisp and refreshing.
• White Claw® Hard Seltzer Iced Tea Peach has a splash of refreshing ripe peach flavor that's a little more sweet than tart, embodying the delicate balance of biting into a ripe peach.

Visit the White Claw product locator today to discover the pure refreshment of White Claw® Hard Seltzer Iced Tea.

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Tea Forté Partners with The New York Botanical Garden for Soleil

The ritual of steeping and sitting down to a perfect cup of tea is as much about finding peace in the experience as it is about the taste. Impeccably sourced, handcrafted teas, signature pyramid infusers and design-driven accessories bring subtle flavors and simple refinement to every cup. With its understated luxuriousness, Tea Forté has become an everyday indulgence of tea connoisseurs in over 35 countries and is served at the world's leading hotels, restaurants, resorts and retailers.

Stimulate your senses with the Tea Forté Soleil Collection, aromatic and sumptuous tea blends packaged in a striking floral homage to spring's bounty. Tea Forté continues its partnership with The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG), with a third awe-inspiring collection featuring classic artwork from The Garden's archival prints that was inspired by the warmth of the spring sun that nurtures the fruits, flowers and tea leaves of Soleil. Sales of the Soleil Collection help support NYBG's work in plant research and conservation, horticulture and education.

"The Soleil Collection is a revitalizing assortment of delicious, abundant blends perfect to celebrate the advent of spring," says Jill Piscopo, Vice President of Product Development and Marketing for Tea Forté. "Soleil is designed to honor the awakening of nature, featuring five organic tea blends in a carefully curated collection which is as beautiful as it is delicious."
Savor the tea ritual with the alluring and modern blends packaged exquisitely in the Soleil Collection:

• DARJEELING QUINCE:   An organic black tea featuring a citrus, quince, and hibiscus blend balance.
• CHERRY BLOSSOM:  A joyous pairing of tart cherries, flowers and organic green tea.
• NEW - WILDFLOWER HONEY CITRUS:  A sweet and delicate organic green tea with notes of honeyed citrus and spring flowers.
• NEW - VANILLA ROSE:  A medium bodied organic white tea highlighted by sweet vanilla and complementary floral notes.
• WILD BERRY HIBISCUS:  An organic herbal berry tea blend brightened by hibiscus and rosehip.

Selections from the Soleil Collection include a Gift Set, featuring a Petite Presentation Box and limited-edition pale yellow Café cup and tea tray (MSRP $49); Presentation Box featuring 20 infusers (MSRP $34); Petite Presentation Box featuring 10 infusers (MSRP $22); 15-serving Single Steeps® Sampler (MSRP $20); and a KATI® Loose Tea Steeping Cup with Stainless Steel Infuser (MSRP $20).  Available this month in select stores and online.  www.teaforte.com

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