Saturday Lectures

From wellness trends to evolving consumer preferences, tea is quietly positioning itself for a major breakthrough with specialty tea as one of the fastest-growing segments within the global beverage market. Although specialty tea still lags behind coffee and craft beer in consumer appreciation and experience, this presentation explores why and more importantly what’s changing as specialty tea transitions to the forefront. Join the Communi-Tea Ambassador from Nepal Tea Collective at this educational presentation into the world of tea and craft beverages.

From dainty circlets to towering headpieces, bejewelled tiaras adorned with sapphires, rubies, and sparkling diamonds large and small make up the impressive collection of tiaras owned by the royal family. This presentation will feature over 25 of the most glorious of tiaras, touching on the origins, history, and value of these beautiful dazzling pieces. Learn about the rules for wearing a tiara, how they remain perched upon their heads, and who actually decides which tiara a royal will wear. From the oldest tiara to the most valuable, from where they are stored to actually who owns them, all this and more will be included in this glittery topic presented by Teresa Weddelman, our local anglophile and Certified Tea Sommelier from the World Tea Academy and Completed Tea Foundation Online, UK Tea Academy. 

Slow down and reconnect with yourself through the simple practice of tea. In this gentle lecture, we will explore how creating small, supportive routines throughout your day can become a powerful form of self-care and how tea can anchor those moments. Discover how to build a personalized tea ritual that brings comfort, clarity, and calm into your everyday life, whether it’s a quiet morning start, a midday reset, or an evening wind-down. No matter how busy life feels, this session offers a thoughtful approach to creating meaningful pauses that support your well-being. Misty Patterson, a mindfulness instructor and tea enthusiast, will take you on this personal journey of discovery, both with tea and with yourself. 

When we think of the four faces on Mount Rushmore, we think of grit, revolution, and the heavy weight of history. We rarely think of the porcelain cups or the campfire kettles that fueled their pivotal moments. This presentation pulls back the curtain on the private lives of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt to reveal a shared devotion to tea. We will track the evolution of the American spirit through their teacups—from the high-society imports of the founders to the simple, comforting brews of the Civil War and the rugged, bold infusions of the strenuous life. This isn't just a history of a monument; it is a look at the beverage that sustained the men who built it. Returning guest lecturer, Judi Slack is a passionate tea devotee from Cleveland with a lifelong interest in tea. She is a Certified Tea Specialist, Certified Tea Professional, Certified Tea Sommelier, and Certified Tea Health expert by the World Tea Academy.

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.