Saturday Tea Tasting and Creative Crafting

 Welcome to the world of Gaba tea. During this tasting session, participants will sample a selection of GABArich teas. GABA is a chemical in the brain that helps calm the nervous system and keep us balanced. We turn to GABA tea because it captures that same sense of quiet in a cup, offering a gentle pause in a world that rarely slows down. This session offers a structured opportunity to evaluate flavor, quality, and perceived effects, helping attendees form an informed perspective on GABA tea’s role in wellness and consumer trends. Certified Tea Specialist Debbie Raab of Tea-for-All in Trenton, NJ will guide you on this journey of discovery into Gaba Tea. Participants will also receive a packet of GABA Tea to continue to observe their own experiences with the tea at home since ongoing research indicates both short term and long term effects.  NOTE: $25.00 fee.

Looking to maintain balanced energy and support everyday wellness? We all know that protein is essential for strength, mobility, and functional wellness. This educational session introduces the current trend of pairing tea with protein. During this tea tasting session, discover how to increase your daily protein intake easily and incorporate it into your lifestyle by making a protein enhanced tea. Two simple tea-based protein drinks, specifically using matcha or chai, blended with protein powder, will be demonstrated in class and sampled by attendees. Melissa Fitch Ciccotelli of Tea You There will guide participants with a short educational introductory session coupled with a demonstration of preparing tea based protein drinks during this beginner friendly workshop. Melissa promises to provide a tea experience that both educates and entertains.

Step into a slower session where steam curls from your cup and each bite tells a story of Pennsylvania soil and cheesemaking. Join us for a guided Cheese & Tea Pairing Class, an experience that swaps the expected wine glass for a teacup and reveals a whole new world of flavor harmony. In this thoughtfully curated tasting, we’ll explore how the warmth, tannins, florals, and spice of different teas unlock hidden dimensions in locally made cheeses. You’ll be led through a series of pairings by Stephanie Beeman, owner of Central Wedge Cheese Shop in Carlisle, featuring three exceptional PA cheeses alongside three perfectly paired teas. Each pairing is designed to highlight the contrasting or complementary textures and flavors in a delightful ‘out of the box’ pairing experience. Stephanie started Central Wedge Cheese Shop in 2019 with the focus on selling PA made artisan, farmstead and specialty cheeses sourced from local cheesemakers. Cheese is her main love, however, she’s passionate about any food or beverage (like tea) that helps people slow down and enjoy the beauty of life! Expect a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere with plenty of time to sip, savor, and ask questions. Whether you’re a cheese enthusiast, a tea lover, or simply curious, this class offers a fresh and comforting take on tasting—like wrapping your palate in a warm, flavorful blanket.

Karen Donnelly returns to the PA Tea Festival to present a guided tea tasting exploring how terroir shapes flavor across borders. Attendees will compare similar production styles from different countries—such as Chinese and Ceylon Gunpowder, Japanese and Indian Sencha, Chinese Pu-erh and Nepal Pu-erh-Style Tea, and Kenyan White Tea alongside Chinese Pai Mu Tan—discovering how climate, soil, and tradition create distinct expressions of the same craft. This informative class will be presented by Karen Donnelly, owner of Greenhalgh Tea and Certified Tea Sommelier from the Tea & Herbal Association of Canada. 

Engage in a hands-on workshop creating a charming prick-and-stitch (card embroidery) greeting card with a cozy tea theme. Discover the easy sewing techniques, from piercing your design to stitching decorative patterns, and assembling your card from start to finish. This workshop is perfect for learners and craft lovers alike—come relax, get creative, sip some tea, and leave with a beautifully handmade card to keep, frame, or to share! Talented local Mechanicsburg artist Gail True will guide you through this relaxing class. This session will be held in Sweet Remembrances Tea Room. Class size limited to 10 crafters.

Add a personal touch to your tea ritual with this creative, hands-on activity. Whether your design is something playful, elegant, or deeply personal, you'll leave with a unique tea accessory. Participants will have the opportunity to decorate a tea infuser (approx 4", used for steeping loose leaf tea) or a tea bag weight (this prevents the tea bag string from falling into the mug), turning a simple tool into a meaningful and beautiful part of your daily teatime routine. This craft session is perfect for all skill levels. All supplies are included and a variety of beads and charms will be available to use including glass beads, metal charms, gemstones, or wooden beads. Misty Patterson, a mindfulness instructor and tea enthusiast, will gently guide you during this relaxed experience. Not artistic? No worries, no experience necessary.  Class size is limited to 10 crafters, and will be held in the Authors Tent. Class Fee: $20.00.   Two Saturday sessions available: 9:15 am or 2:30 pm. Tea tasting provided by Tea Festival Sponsor Tea By Two

Japan is well-known for their green tea, both as their daily drinking tea and as a ceremonial tea. In this tasting workshop you will discover that there is a wide difference in taste and appearance of Japanese green tea. From the processing, to the color and shape of the leaf, to the unique flavor profiles found in Japanese green teas, you will enhance your palate and understanding with this Japanese green tea session. We will taste the well known as well as the more obscure green teas of Japan. Certified Tea Specialists Mike and Debbie Raab of Tea-for-All in Trenton, NJ will guide you on this discovery into the world of Japanese green teas.