Saturday Lectures

Informative programs 45 minutes on tea included in your ticket price.  

Seating hall limited to 50, First come, first served seating.

Please note: the program listed here were featured in 2023. New programs will be announced in July, 2024.


9:30 AM

Tea Tourism: What's your destination?

Travel along with Susanna Reppert and Angelica Brill for an adventure discovering the unique experiences to be had when you include tea rooms in your vacation plans, both here and abroad. Pick a destination! This session will include some previous tea time adventures and will include some resources to help you find tea rooms. What's on your bucket list? An adventure awaits!

10:30 AM

A Deep Dive into the World of African Tea

Your tea adventure begins with an introduction to African tea presented by Regina Brewton-Smith from Sibahle Teas (pronounced see-bah-clay). Regina offers a unique look at the world of African Tea beginning with a bit of history, and introducing the different types of tea found in Africa, including medicinal and herbal teas, and the countries in Africa that produce tea. Tea production in Africa occurs in 20 of the 54 African countries. Touching on the Mombasa Tea Auction, she brings Africa into the tea conversation including the world of smallholder farmers and women farmers. In addition, she will highlight tea ceremonies in Africa. Regina hails from New York where she started her company Sibahle Teas (a Zulu word meaning We are beautiful) which offers premium specialty teas sourced from Africa. She has received certification from the International Tea Academy in the Foundations of Chinese Tea.  She is currently working towards her tea specialist certification through the World Tea Academy.  

11:30 AM

Cuppa Fans Unite! 

Challenge yourself with the ultimate test to see if you really are on top of the tea bags! Are you a true tea lover? Find delight in its taste but know nothing about its story? Or can you easily answer questions like “When did tea drinking begin?” or “What are the ingredients for an Indian Chai?” or even “Which Portuguese queen introduced tea in England?” So, whether you're a true connoisseur or a newly-arrived enthusiast – join us for a lively game of Time 4 Tea Trivia! Test your knowledge, and learn some interesting tea facts along the way during this entertaining session. We are pleased to welcome returning tea devotee, Judi Slack from Cleveland, OH to the PA Tea Festival. Being fascinated with tea her whole life, she put this passion to work; studied hard, sampled lots of tea and received five certificates from the World Tea Academy. Ms. Slack also teaches various educational tea classes at her local community college and offers tea related presentations at area libraries. She says that the following ancient Chinese proverb best defines her relationship with the world of tea, “Better to be deprived of food for three days, than of tea for one.”

12:30 PM

How to Brew the Best Cup of Tea for You

Just water, tea, and a vessel - so simple and yet many of us worry about making tea "properly."  Through this Powerpoint presentation, you will learn about the different types of tea, and why temperature, measurements, steeping times, water, heating vessels and cups can make all the difference. Discover the variety of tea brewing vessels available, and their uses. Whether iced or hot, just for you or for a crowd, you will easily master making the best cup of tea. Karen Donnelly, Certified Tea Sommelier from the Tea & Herbal Assoc. of Canada and owner of Greenhalgh Tea and Orchard Tea Room.  

1:30 PM

Arabian Tea Culture       

There are 19 countries that are considered Arab nations. Make no mistake about it, tea is at the center of Arabian Culture. During this session, we will dive into the history and cultural practices of the various Arab countries and offer the opportunity to taste some of their specialties after the program. The flavor profiles are sweet, unique, and very interesting! Recipes will be provided to recreate these specialty drinks at home. Tea specialists Deb and Mike Raab of Tea-for-All in Trenton, NJ will provide insight into this cultural flavor profile based in tea.

2:30 PM

Japanese Tea Traditions. The Way of Tea

Sachiko Houck, born in Fukuoka, Japan but currently residing in Lancaster, PA will share her knowledge of the Japanese style of tea. With a strong background in the ‘way of tea’, learning from her mother during her early years, and continuing her studies with Chado Urasenke Tankokai in Philadelphia, (a kyokai or alumni association of the Urasenke international school of tea ceremony), Sachiko will offer a glimpse into Japanese tea traditions. This class will provide an introduction to the cultural aspects of the tea ceremony, which provides a once in a lifetime moment, never to be repeated. The Japanese Tea Ceremony is a lifelong learning process,  incorporating the four principals of the tea ceremony; harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility,  while essentially creating a moving meditation for the guests and host. Featured in the tea ceremony is Matcha tea, a powdered green tea. The ever growing popularity of Matcha tea has placed a spotlight on the early cultural use of this tea. The unique variety of equipage used in the preparation of ceremonial Matcha will also be discussed.