A History of Tea in the United States - Mr. Beat May 7th, 11:30~12:30
Why stop at the Boston Tea Party? Mr. Beat will tell you all about the role tea has played at both major and more obscure events throughout American history and look at the effect tea has had on American culture.
Matt Beat is a high school social studies teacher, video producer, podcaster, and musician based out of Kansas. He has taught various subjects in the classroom from grades 7-12. His YouTube channels, Mr. Beat and The Beat Goes On, have accumulated more than 430,000 subscribers and 80 million views, helping expand his "classroom" to around the world. Beat's speciality is American history, but he also has a big passion for geography, economics, and music. He has a band called Electric Needle Room, which is most known for original indie pop songs about all of the American Presidents. Matt co-hosts an iHeartMedia podcast called Jobsolete.
Tea 101: Nicole Burriss May 7th, 12:45~13:30
New to tea? Wondering what to do? Do you need that ultra-modern steeping system? Electric kettle? Bags? Loose leaf? Why is your green tea always so bitter and why don’t white teas taste like anything but water? Do tea leaves go bad? Join Nicole Burriss of Taste All The Tea for a primer on teas. Preparations, types, steeping equipment – we will discuss and taste some teas made badly and some teas made well and discover the difference.
Nicole Burriss, owner of Taste All The Tea, is a Kansas City native. She grew up with Lipton iced tea and didn’t really think much about tea until her eyes were opened at an afternoon tea party. Taking a deep and obsessive dive into teas of all kinds led her to found the Midwest Tea Festival and the Chicago International Tea Festival. After several years of calling tea lovers to Kansas City to celebrate tea and tea cultures, she passed both festivals on to other organizers and started a partnership with Australian Tea Masters. She is currently the US wholesale distributor of Australian Tea Masters line of Korean teas.
Nepal Tea- The Best Kept Secret in the Tea Industry!: Nischal Banskota May 7th, 13:45~14:30
Nepal has been growing teas for over an entire century; however, it has only gotten recognition for about a few decades. In quite a short period of time, Nepali teas have gained a worldwide reputation for its quality and unique flavors. It has also finally achieved its international geographic trademark as “Nepal Tea: Quality from the Himalayas” and some of the teas have won international awards including the Global Tea Championships. We will delve into a brief history of Nepal Tea and most importantly identify what is so unique about the origin that makes it the newfound secret in the global tea market.
Nishchal Banskota is a 2nd generation tea producer and the founder of Nepal Tea which directly brings certified organic teas from Nepal to the American market. His vision is to create a tech-enabled transparent tea trade that bridges the gap between the primary producers and consumers. He is an active member of the European Specialty Tea Association (ESTA) working to define, educate and execute direct trade through the International Development Committee. His innovative work has been featured in major publications the New York Times and Forbes and he has been a regular speaker at various tea festivals. He is a young leader for the European Union Development Days and an active advocate for the UN Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda.
Understanding the Health Benefits of Tea: Babette Donaldson May 7th, 14:45~15:30
Some claims for the health benefits of tea make it sound like a miracle drug. Understanding how tea interacts on a cellular level in our bodies explains the real magic of "true tea," Camellia sinensis. We will consider the general overview and touch on the most frequently asked questions.
Babette Donaldson, founder of the International Tea Sippers Society and author of The Everything Healthy Tea Book and The Emma Lea Books began her adventure with "real" tea as a graduate art student in San Francisco during the 70's with a focus on ceramic art. Studying the history and elegance of ancient teaware inspired curiosity for the beverage and worldwide cultures that celebrate it ceremonially. This inspired her most recent project, “Sip for Peace” for which she earned Best Consumer-Oriented Marketing Campaign at World Tea Expo.
An Introduction to Herbal Infusions: Rebecca Grzeskowiak May 7th, 15:45~16:30
Multiple Infusions: Unlocking the Subtle Layers of Flavor in the Tea Leaf: Babette Donaldson May 7th, 16:45~17:30
Simple brewing techniques can help you get more out of your tea. By controlling the amount of tea, the temperature of the water, and the brewing time, you enjoy more cups of tea with the same leaves.
Babette Donaldson, founder of the International Tea Sippers Society and author of The Everything Healthy Tea Book and The Emma Lea Books began her adventure with "real" tea as a graduate art student in San Francisco during the 70's with a focus on ceramic art. Studying the history and elegance of ancient teaware inspired curiosity for the beverage and worldwide cultures that celebrate it ceremonially. This inspired her most recent project, “Sip for Peace” for which she earned Best Consumer-Oriented Marketing Campaign at World Tea Expo.
Tea Stories that Shaped America - Sherman Tylawsky May 8th, 10:30~11:15
Tea has had a significant impact on American history and culture, but what about the stories of American tea drinkers and tea-related events that have helped shape America since its founding? Learn more about how some of these American tea stories have defined the history and identity of the United States for generations to come.
Sherman Tylawsky is the founder of The George Washington Institute (GWI), host of the Friends & Fellow Citizens podcast, and an aspiring statesman. He is a young professional working to build a career of public service in congressional politics and national security policymaking. With an early love for American history, Sherman founded GWI to bring historical lessons of leadership back to contemporary life in America. By sharing riveting stories of leadership in American history to countless audiences, he aims to galvanize current and future generations of citizens and inspire others to become effective leaders. In addition to his professional speaking for GWI, Sherman runs his podcast Friends & Fellow Citizens to moderate civil discussions about current events and connect American history with contemporary issues. He is currently writing a book and conducting research on some of America’s most historic episodes of presidential leadership. Sherman is also a prospective Political Science PhD student at the University of Alabama and will begin his research there in Fall 2022.
Musicali-Tea : Dr. Sally Wei May 8th, 11:45~12:30
Guests participating in Musicali-TEA classes will learn fundamentals of choosing and brewing high quality teas. Patrons will also taste exclusive artisan-quality hand-picked teas – including premium Taiwanese Oolong and Black varieties, of which Dr. Wei is a recognized expert. A demonstration of the traditional Chinese Gong Fu Tea or popular Western style brewing will be presented. Attended guests will also be guided through the process of properly brewing and tasting the “tea of the day.” After learning about the tea, guests will then enjoy listening to the carefully chosen music, its musical stories, and historical background.
Sally Wei is an accomplished classical pianist and holds a Doctorate in Musical Arts. As musicians strive for perfection, Sally found equal passions in her enjoyment of tea and is a Certified Tea Sommelier. Trained in Taiwan and England, Sally embraces these two tea cultures through the philosophy of “Jing Si” (Still Thoughts) in the understanding, preparation and enjoyment of the blessings of Tea. Sally Wei is an acclaimed speaker and instructor at Tea Events and Festivals throughout N. America and Asia. Dr. Wei is the Founder of Sally’s Parlor in Santa Rosa, CA from which she hosts tea education events and offers some of the world’s best teas to clients around the USA.
Special Tea Experience - Chinese : Mimi Lee May 8th, 12:45~13:30
This class includes a brief overview of the Chinese tea history and its influence on the Chinese people. A pre-tasting meditation is guided by the instructor to experience the calmness of a Chinese tea ceremony. Participants will learn how to arrange for a tea table, how to perform a tea ceremony, how Chinese sip their teas and how to make a proper offering of tea to your guests. Participants will depart with a bag of tea samples and treats to practice at home for what they have learned in this class.
Mimi Lee was born in Taiwan where she adapted the tea culture at a very young age. A certified Jing Si Tea instructor, Ms. Lee has been sharing her passion for tea with many students since 2008. Her students include children from age 3 to seniors at 90 years old. She enjoys making tea daily for her family, which in her view, is the best way to bond. Ms. Lee lives in Austin, TX with her husband and their dog. Her sons and their families live nearby.
Special Tea Experience - French : Emilie Jackson May 8th, 13:45~14:30
The French Art of Tea: Tea is as Fascinating and as complex as wine Tea is the second beverage drank in the world after water. More than 120 countries have a culture and tradition around tea. France is not the exception. Tea arrived in France in the early 1600 a few decades before Great Britain. History and special events like the French Revolution are some of the few reasons why tearooms struggled to survive in France. Learn how tea nearly disappeared in the country of wine and how since the 1900 and even more so since the 80’ how tea is getting a comeback in French culture.
After working in International Business and Marketing for over 15 years, Emilie decided to pursue her dream of starting her own business. Always interested in natural healing and herbalism, Emilie first experienced Traditional Medicine when she moved to Mexico City in 2005. In 2010 she met her husband Alex in Guatemala and a year later moved to the United States. Emilie has a passion for cultures, traditions and rituals from around the world — especially tea rituals. She describes tea as being “as fascinating and complex as wine.” Visitors to the French Tea Room quickly find out that her enthusiasm for the Art of Tea is contagious. In a recent magazine article, Emilie talks about how her interest in tea began and describes the health benefits of tea rituals. Originally from France, Emilie speaks English, Spanish and French fluently. She has lived in five different countries, including Portugal, England, and Mexico, where ancient healing traditions are still alive. In addition to experience in healthcare and complementary and alternative medicine, she is also a Shamanic Ordained Minister.
Korean Teas: Nicole Burriss May 8th, 14:45~15:30
Korean teas have been fairly difficult to find, especially in the US, until the past few years. Come taste these unique teas and find out what makes them different than other teas. Nicole Burriss of Taste All The Tea will lead you through a quick history of Korean tea, share some tidbits about Korean tea culture, and give your tastebuds a tour.
Nicole Burriss, owner of Taste All The Tea, is a Kansas City native. She grew up with Lipton iced tea and didn’t really think much about tea until her eyes were opened at an afternoon tea party. Taking a deep and obsessive dive into teas of all kinds led her to found the Midwest Tea Festival and the Chicago International Tea Festival. After several years of calling tea lovers to Kansas City to celebrate tea and tea cultures, she passed both festivals on to other organizers and started a partnership with Australian Tea Masters. She is currently the US wholesale distributor of Australian Tea Masters line of Korean teas.
Special Tea Experience - English: The Daughters of the British Empire May 8th, 15:45~16:30
Tea isn’t just a drink. In Britain, it’s a way of life. Join us for a class, a cuppa, and a wee snack at the British (English) tea presentation. We’ll teach you etiquette, but we’re not stuffy. We’ll teach you history, but we’re not boring. Learn how tea was discovered, and the fascinating way it travelled, legally and illegally, to become the world’s most popular beverage. Learn how to make the perfect cup of tea and learn how to understand how tea—morning, afternoon, and evening —is a way of life.
Debbie Holladay has living in the USA for 37 years and has been a member of Daughters of the British Empire for 31 years. Born in Wiltshire, England to an English Mother and Scottish father. Debbie is Commissioner for England with the Ethnic Enrichment Commission and has worked with the Midwest Highland Arts Fund for 22 years, a Scottish Bagpipe and Drumming competition and Workshop held here in Kansas City. Debbie loves to share the Arts and Education of the United Kingdom.
Mary Hawks has been a member of Daughters of the British Empire for 35 years. A devoted Anglophile and Beatlephile, Mary loves to talk about all things British. Mary’s Welsh grandparents came to the US in 1900. She has Welsh, Irish and Scottish ancestry. A former English and Journalism teacher, Mary has given many presentations on tea and its history, and always likes to share her knowledge of Blighty and beyond.