Please Note: The Tasting Sessions listed here are for 2025. Watch for an updated list in 2026.
Tastings are limited to 15 - 20 people.
Tea Tasting sessions are held in the Steeping Room.
(From the festival entrance, follow the walkway straight back to the cement building.)
All tastings are $20.00 each, unless noted otherwise.
Start your festival morning with a refreshing twist at this tasting session where tea meets creativity in a glass. Join Marnie and Neil D’Amato, from The Garden Tearoom, for a lively demonstration that combines the comforting flavors of premium teas with the brightness of fresh fruits, herbs, and natural mixers. You’ll learn to shake, stir, and garnish alcohol-free mocktails that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Whether you’re a tea enthusiast or a curious sipper, this session is the perfect way to awaken your senses and spark your imagination. Please inform us of any food allergies prior to the class.
In this guided tasting we will look for similarities and differences between Nepal teas and Darjeeling teas. Although close in region yet separated by political and slight geographic boundaries, how do these teas compare? Are there subtle nuances of each? With the popularity of Darjeeling tea and the increasing awareness of Nepalese teas, we will have some fun with a blind tasting. The competition is NOT which is better, but who can discern one from the other. Certified Tea Specialists and tea mentors Deb and Mike Raab of Tea-for-All in Trenton, NJ will be your guides for this discerning tea tasting session.
Follow the tea making process; from the plucking of the Camellia sinensis plant to drying, and crafting tea, discover the process unique to creating white teas. Proper brewing techniques for preparing delicate white teas coupled with sampling traditional Yin Zhen (Silver Needles) and Bai Mu Dan (White Peony) will be a highlight of this tasting session. In addition, taste some lesser known white teas from the growing regions outside of China. From the beauty of the leaf to the delicate flavor of white tea, you will savor this experience under the tutelage of Teresa Weddelman, Certified Tea Sommelier from World Tea Academy and Certified Tea Specialist from the UK Tea Academy.
Learn how to creatively and tastefully incorporate the flavors of tea as your secret ingredient when baking. Understand the basic flavor profiles of tea and how they can enhance your delectable culinary creations. This session offers various ways to elevate your culinary skills as you discover ways to incorporate tea in your baked goods; either as infused tea, ground leaves, or as whole leaf tea. Enjoy a double tasting of tea and treats as you sample a variety of teas brewed to complement the baked goods infused with tea. This informative class will be presented by Karen Donnelly, owner of Greenhalgh Tea and Certified Tea Sommelier from the Tea & Herbal Association of Canada.
This unique tea tasting session will explore the dynamic trio of vanilla, honey, and tea. Learn how to create delectable vanilla sugar and vanilla infused honey, sampling and tasting each as you discover how they enhance your tea. Tips on sourcing vanilla beans and their many uses will be discussed. Learn how to extract vanilla beans and the differences between single fold and double fold vanilla extract. Lori Stahl of BeeBees All Naturals will lead this tea tasting session as you discover the balance between vanilla, honey, and tea and ultimately find your personal favorite pairing that is meant to ‘bee’. You will be charmed with Lori's energy and enthusiasm for honey, tea, vanilla, and nature at this entertaining tasting session.
2:00 p.m.
Paint a charming and decorative 6-inch x 8-inch colorful flat wooden lightweight teacup to hang on your wall. Fine art artist and talented author Sarah Ickes will guide you during this creative crafting session. A base coat will be applied in advance, allowing you to add a variety of colors and shimmery paints to customize your teacup design. Class will be held in the Author's Tent area of the festival with all supplies included. All inclusive fee: $20.00.
3:00 p.m.
This beginner friendly embroidered jewelry workshop includes all the supplies and instruction necessary to create your own charming pendant or brooch. Choose from a selection of floral motifs, mushrooms, or tea cup designs to create a colorful wearable keepsake, crafted by your own hands. Instructor Demetra Luciano-Eve, owner of Horizons Creative Studio, will guide you through this easy to follow, creative, relaxing, and fun embroidery session. Demetra encourages everyone to explore their creativity with confidence. This craft session will be held at The Bewitching Moon, just down the street from the tea festival at 102 S. Market Street. Allow two hours for this project. Class size limited to 10 attendees. All inclusive fee: $40.00.
