Saturday Tea Tasting and Creative Crafting

In this tasting we will compare tea plucked from the same hillside on the same day by different hands. Discover the processing techniques utilized for freshly plucked tea leaves. Withered at the same time, rolled by the respective plucker and then dried all at the same time. Will they taste the same? Come taste and discover factors that unify or differentiate specific nuances of tea! Having recently journeyed to the tea fields of India, tea specialists Deb and Mike Raab of Tea-for-All in Trenton, NJ will share their first hand knowledge on the tea processing techniques and guide you on your tea journey to discover the flavors found within the leaf.

 Attendees will be introduced to the ritual of mindfully brewing tea and sipping with meditative awareness. Participants will blend the art of mindful tea meditation with the creation of a personalized tea journal to enhance the mindfulness and personal reflection experience. A fall flavored tea will be provided by festival sponsor Tea by Two.  Following the mindful brewing experience, you will be encouraged to reflect on the sensory experiences, thoughts, and emotions of your personal experience. Your tea journal will serve as a lasting keepsake, offering the opportunity to continue to document your tea journey and continue mindfulness practice long after the event. Misty Patterson, a mindfulness instructor and tea enthusiast, will take you on this personal journey of discovery, both with tea and with yourself.   

Discover the flavorful world of Boba Tea during this fun tea tasting session. Boba Tea, affectionately called Bubble Tea, originated in Taiwan and has become increasingly popular over the years. Highlights of this session include an introduction into what makes Boba tea the fascinating and unique beverage it is. Discover the history of Bubble Tea, how it is made, and the variations you can create. Your Bubble Tea Baristas join us from Sristi's Boba Tea and Cafe in Mechanicsburg and promise to provide several samples of the key different subsets of boba beverages.

This tasting session provides the opportunity to sample and compare basic Earl Grey teas from three different international suppliers; Fortnum and Mason (England), Kusmi (France) and Harney and Sons (United States). Earl Grey is the most popular flavored tea in the world, and we'll take a deep dive into learning more about this famous tea. Was the tea really named for an Earl? What is used to flavor the tea? Are you familiar with Lady Earl Grey, Creamy Earl Grey, Smoky Earl Grey, Victoria Grey, and Winter White Earl Grey? We will sample all these variations as well. Teresa Weddelman, Certified Tea Sommelier from World Tea Academy and Certified Tea Specialist from the UK Tea Academy joins us from Ohio to guide this tea tasting agenda.

 Tea and chocolate pair with each other amazingly well! During this flavorful and informative session you will be encouraged to make a conscious effort and follow a deliberate process to distinguish unique taste sensations, knowing that there is no right or wrong answer. Pairing is an art and a science where you will discover what is tasteful and enjoyable to you, and perhaps what doesn’t quite meld. The key to a chocolate and tea pairing session is quality chocolate and equally good quality tea, both of which will be offered during this pairing. Local Chocolatier Diane Krulac of Brittle Bark will provide the white, milk, dark, and caramel chocolate. Tea and Instruction will be provided by Kathleen Hippeli, Certified Tea Sommelier, Tea Health Expert, and owner of One Steep at a Thyme and  Quilted to a Tea. Kathy has studied with the Specialty Tea Institute, World Tea Academy, World Tea Expo, and Elmwood Inn Fine Teas & Tea Etiquette and is currently studying with The Herbal Academy.

DIY Tea Themed Jewelry Class: Design and create your own tea themed beaded charm bracelet during this hands on session. Working with a 7.5 inch bracelet (with an optional 2 inch extension) in either gold plate or silver plate and incorporating high quality crystal glass beads from Czechoslovakia, attendees will be able to personalize the charm bracelet with a variety of tea themed charms such as a cup, saucer and spoon (different color available). Courtney Genise of Carlisle Bead Emporium will guide you on how to lay out the charms and the glass beads in a pleasing pattern, and how to attach and lock the rings to complete your bracelet. Class size is limited to 8 people, and will be held in the Authors Tent. Note: Class Fee is $45.00.  Two Saturday sessions available: 9:15 am or 2:30 pm. Tea tasting provided by Nepal Tea Collective.

 Create a beautiful piece of 8 x 8  art incorporating brewed tea as natural watercolor paint. The subtle earth tone hues using tea as the 'paint' easily inspire a pleasing piece of art. Release your artistic side, paint and sip with tea, and learn some tea related facts during this relaxing session.  Join tea enthusiast and wellness advocate Melissa Fitch Ciccotelli of Tea You There for this creative session. Melissa believes that 'teatime is a moment to set aside time for yourself, a time to truly relax and reconnect to your inner being. Take that time to reconnect and be inspired by tea'.  Held inside Sweet Remembrances Tea Room. Tea tasting provided by The Rosemary House.