Presenter Bios:

James Norwood Pratt

Brett Boynton

Michael J Coffey

Babette Donaldson

Isaac Dumiel

Donna Fellman

Suzette Hammond

Becky Li

Amy Lawrence

Bernadette Petrotta

Devan & Reena Shah

Lisa Boalt Richardson

Shiuwen Tai

Dr. Eric Yarnell

We are hard at work developing the program for the 2011 Tea Festival.

Check back here in early 2011 to view the program for the next festival as the schedule is developed.

You can see what happened at the 2010 festival by viewing the 2010 Festival's Event Programming below.

2010 Northwest Tea Festival
Event Programming

The venue will be open:

9 AM - 6 PM Saturday, October 2nd.
9 AM - 4 PM Sunday, October 3rd.

• Entry is FREE to the public, with a suggested donation of $5.
• The festival will provide a porcelain tasting cup as a gesture of thanks to those making a donation supporting the festival at a $5 level or more. Showing the tasting cup will allow you entry into the tea-tasting sessions, and you will be able to taste brewed tea samples at the vendor booths.
• All presentations at all festival stages, entry to the vendor area, and the art gallery are free and open to everyone. A few special classes may have some fees associated them. See the complete program for details.

We are looking for volunteers.

Would you like to be an active part of this year's festival?

We are looking for volunteers to work at the festival as well as volunteers that would be interested in being a part of the planning process for the festival. You will work with tea people (always a fun interesting group) and drink lots of fantastic tea (always a good thing to do).

All are welcome, if you are interested contact Julee Rosanoff.

2010 Northwest Tea Festival
Presentations & Training Workshops

We are excited to announce the following new event to the 2010 program:

Specialty Tea Institute workshops and tea certification-
The Specialty Tea Institute will provide professional tea training workshops and tea certification immediately prior to the Festival.

September 30th - Foundations of Tea: Level One
October 1st - Foundations of Tea: Level Two

For More information - Click Here

-- 2010 Festival Presentation Schedule --

This is a tentative schedule - dates, topics and speakers may change -

Keep checking this site for the latest information. 

Exact dates and times will be updated as the presentation schedule is finalized.

Click here for a printable PDF version of the program in the Festival Brochure

-- Saturday October 2nd. --

Tea.., So Much More Than Our Favorite Beverage! -
(Yoon Hee Kim) - 9:30am @ Barnes & Watson Stage
       You've seen commercials on green tea moisturizers or perhaps tasted a tea infused chocolate. Ever wonder what else can be incorporated with tea, other than steeping it as a delicious beverage? Reality is that in most countries of origin for teas, tea is so deeply infused into the daily life and culture that the many different usage of teas beyond consumption as beverage has long been enjoyed.
       This fun, interactive and at times eye-opening, workshop will begin with instructions on steeping that perfect cup of tea, always good to know for beginners and seasoned tea enthusiasts. Then, it's all about learning the various ways in which we can all easily incorporate teas into our daily lives, beyond that perfect drink, to soothe the soul, beautify the self and home.., as well as to help delight family & friends with simple yet delicious tea & culinary know-how. Some members of the audience will also get the chance to enjoy tea-infused footbath, pamper their skin with on-the-spot tea facial and learn to create helpful home-use items, all with tea. The World of Tea.., beyond beverage!.

Travels in Tea - China -
(Bill Waddington) - 10:00am @ Perennial Tea Room Stage
       This presentation will be a travelogue of one of Bill's recent buying trips to China. You will have a chance to experience Tea in China through Bill's stories and pictures. See what it's like to be a tea buyer. Hear an insider's view of the tea industry of China and gain insight on what a tea buyer experiences in his travels..

How To Make Moist And Delicious Scones -
(Amy Lawrence) - 11:00am @ Barnes & Watson Stage
       This class will focus on how to make my famous scones. Not only will she show you how, but she will also give you secret tips so yours turn out perfectly every time. Included will be free samples of scones and tea.
       Participants will learn the basic steps to making delicious scones, how to adapt the recipe to create their own unique varieties and learn the tips and tricks to preparing scones ahead of time if they need large quantities for a party.

America's Tea Renaissance - How It Happened -
(James Norwood Pratt) - 12:00pm@ Perennial Tea Room Stage
       For 30 years JNP has served as prophet, instigator and participant in the watershed cultural change which is America's Tea Renaissance. Here is his eye-witness account of the behind-the-scenes events and decisions since the 1980's which have produced this Renaissance with its potential for making America a tea-consuming society. This work-in-progress will constitute the last chapter of the author's forthcoming book, A Scandalously Short History of Tea.

Tea 101 -
(Ken Rudee) - 1:00pm@ Barnes & Watson Stage
       Tea 101 will take you through a fast paced photo journey of a tea leaf from soil to cup. You will learn about the five basic types of tea, where they come from and how they are processed. We will put to bed some myths about tea, discuss some tea controversies and learn different ways to steep the perfect cuppa.

The Major Tea Regions of Taiwanese Oolong -
(Shiuwen Tai & Jennifer Saurer) - 2:00pm@ Perennial Tea Room Stage
       Shiuwen and Jennifer will walk you through the major Oolong regions in Taiwan, including Baozhong Tea from Pinglin, Dong Ding from Dong Ding mountain, Oriental Beauty, and High Mountain Tea. Participants will be able to taste teas, listen to some fun stories about this pair's tea adventures in Taiwan, and view a slide show of the tea farms and farmers.

Tea Cupping Workshop - Professional Tea Tasting -
(Suzette Hammond) - 2:00pm@ Tea Tasting Booth 3
       How does one learn how to taste and talk about tea? What is the difference between 'tasting' and 'drinking'? Learn how to explore tea using professional cupping equipment, working with standards used by tea buyers and quality control experts the world over.
       You don't need professional credentials to attend, just a genuine love for tea and a desire to want to learn more. Intermediate tea experience encouraged: this is a truly hands-on brewing workshop, so you will be working with hot water and evaluating lots of tea! The workshop is limited to ten people, sign up for it at the PSTea information booth. A $10 materials fee applies to this class (for your very own cupping set that you get to keep). This workshop will be offered again on Sunday at 12:00 PM (see schedule below).

A Bit of Sensibility in a Time of Confusion-
(Earlene Grey) - 2:15pm@ Barnes & Watson Stage
       In this world of economic uncertainty and limited resources, more people are finding enjoyment not only in tea, but the more simple and classic forms of art and entertainment. In that vein we are rediscovering the joy and serenity of poetry, and poetry like tea is enjoying resurgence. This presentation will be a reading of tea poetry from Earlene Grey's collection, engaging the audience with humor and interest. The presentation will last approximately 30 minutes and there will be opportunity for discussion and questions.

Tea, The Drink That Changed The World (Cultural Impact Of Tea) -
(Judy Williams) - 3:00pm@ Barnes & Watson Stage
       For centuries, tea has played a major role in social customs, art, politics and more. In this talk the audience will get a history of tea from its discovery in ancient China to a product and drink that has had major impacts to political, social and economic customs around the world as well as an influence to art & architecture. The audience will hear how tea truly is - The Drink That Changed The World.

Debunking Tea Myths -
(Michael J Coffey) - 3:30pm@ Perennial Tea Room Stage
       You've read them in tea books and heard them from tea experts or in your local tea shop, but they're just not true. Learn the scientific research and historical evidence (or lack thereof) behind some of the most commonly repeated tea "facts." Monkeys, British nobles, caffeine, revolutionaries, weight loss, and more!

Tea Writing & Dictionary Making: The First Thousand Years -
(James Norwood Pratt) - 4:30pm@ Barnes & Watson Stage
       James Norwood Pratt's Tea Dictionary (World Tea Expo 2010's Best New Publication) is only the most recent milestone in a tradition of tea writing that's over a thousand year's old.
       JNP leads us on a whirlwind tour of amazing and amusing tea literature milestones from Lu Yu to his own epic struggles to create a tool for today's worldwide tea trade. What's the point of a Tea Dictionary and what is there to say about tea after all? Another not-to-be-missed JNP talk.

-- Sunday October 3rd --

Chinese Isn't Scary -
(Michael J Coffey) - 9:30am @ Perennial Tea Room Stage
       Some basic Mandarin Chinese pronunciation and vocabulary
is easy and can help both tea drinkers and tea merchants in the buying and describing of their favorite Chinese teas. We'll cover common mistakes or confusions in the tea industry caused by not knowing Chinese, and you'll learn how to say famous Chinese tea names and terms more accurately!

How To Start A Family Teatime -
(Babette Donaldson) - 10:00am @ Barnes & Watson Stage
       The tea lifestyle begins at home. One of the most memorable experiences we can offer our children is the relaxation and shared conversation at teatime. We show our family members how important they are to us when we turn off the electronics, phones and distractions of the world and focus on them.
       The presentation will include humorous and heartwarming real-life stories as well as tips for making teatime easy, fun, affordable and memorable. Learn how to make it easy, fun, affordable and especially how to make it memorable

Are There Tannins In My Tea? -
(Donna Fellman) - 11:00am @ Perennial Tea Room Stage
       Over the last 15 years of teaching tea, I’ve heard a lot of questions:
'Are there tannins in my tea? How much caffeine is in tea? What is milk oolong? Is this tea flavored? Which tea is the most healthful tea to drink?’
       Come join me as I answer all these questions and more. The chemistry of tea is fun, fascinating and easy to understand when we’re looking at what’s in the cup and exploring how it got there.

Tea Cupping Workshop - Professional Tea Tasting -
(Suzette Hammond) - 12:00pm@ Tea Tasting Booth 3
       How does one learn how to taste and talk about tea? What is the difference between 'tasting' and 'drinking'? Learn how to explore tea using professional cupping equipment, working with standards used by tea buyers and quality control experts the world over.
       You don't need professional credentials to attend, just a genuine love for tea and a desire to want to learn more. Intermediate tea experience encouraged: this is a truly hands-on brewing workshop, so you will be working with hot water and evaluating lots of tea! The workshop is limited to ten people, sign up for it at the PSTea information booth. A $10 materials fee applies to this class (for your very own cupping set that you get to keep).

Etiquette of Tea -
(Bernadette Petrotta) - 12:00pm@ Barnes & Watson Stage
       The 1800's gave birth to the quaint and charming ritual of "Afternoon Tea" in England. This ritual became an integral component of daily English life and acquired its own formal etiquette. Tea services were silver and china. Fine linens were used for tea cloths and serviettes, and tea gowns were loose and flowing with matching hats and gloves. Along with the tea came savories, scones with jams and clotted cream, toast with cinnamon, petit fours, and other delicacies that have come to be known as "tea food".
       In the "Etiquette of Tea," learn who is credited with the origination of this favorite pastime along with the essentials of tea etiquette and the history of tea dating back to the 28th Century BC. Other topics covered in the "Etiquette of Tea" include styles of tea service, the proper tea time, demonstration of an afternoon tea, setting up a buffet tea table, proper etiquette on enjoying tea and its accouterments, and much more useful information to heighten your knowledge of this great Victorian pastime.

"Cooking " with Tea -
(Robert Wemischner) - 1:00pm@ Perennial Tea Room Stage
       Pastry chef, food writer and culinary instructor Robert Wemischner will explore the culinary potential of the leaf in dishes both sweet and savory.....author of Cooking with Tea and the newly released The Dessert Architect, Chef Wemischner will prepare several tea-based dishes and share his experience of cooking with tea.

Discovering the character of tea: Sensation & Chemistry
(Isaac Dumiel & Becky Li) - 2:00pm@ Barnes & Watson Stage
       Becky Li will offer an introduction to Chinese tea tasting methods, terminology and philosophy, to enable audience members to develop a more sensitive, accurate and personal relationship with tea as both a product and a practice. This is a rare opportunity to learn from someone steeped since birth in the traditions of Chinese tea agriculture, presentation and philosophy.
       Isaac Dumiel will summarize the chemical profile of tea as it relates to our experience of it as drinkers, to describe the chemical components associated with aroma, taste, color, body and health benefits, how the chemistry of different types and grades of tea differs, how different growing conditions and processing affect tea chemistry, what factors affect phytochemical bioavailability and activity, and more! This section of the talk will reference the presenter's personal library of over 6,000 research articles, offering audience members rare access to the primary literature on the subject..

The Importance and Use of Herbal Teas -
(Crystal Stelzer) - 3:00pm@ Perennial Tea Room Stage
       The topic will cover how an herbal cup of tea differs from a cup of beverage tea and how to make an herbal cup of tea, and will then cover a number of herbs used to treat specific conditions- i.e. chamomile for its relaxing and digestive qualities, peppermint for its digestive and diaphoretic qualities, nettle for its antiallergenic, nutritive, and organ tonifying qualities... to name a few.
       You will learn how herbal teas differ from beverage teas, How to properly make an herbal cup of tea learn about the use and relevance of a handful of herbs.

2010 Northwest Tea Festival
Tea Tasting Sessions

Expand your experience with tea. 
This is a unique opportunity for you to learn about and sample some to the best teas from all over the world. 
Tea tasting leaders will demonstrate a variety of tea preparation and presentation styles.  There will be tasting experiences geared for both beginner and experienced tea drinkers.  Participants will have ample opportunity to ask questions about tea. At last year’s festival, the tea tasting sessions were a highlight of the festival for all who participated.

The tasting sessions are free (execpt for a few noted workshops that have a materials fee).
Attendees just need a tasting cup which can be obtained at festival registration.
Seating is limited and you can reserve a seat for a specific session of your choice by signing up at the festival tasting booth sign-up area.
 
Tea tasting leaders will guide tasting sessions with up to 10 participants lasting approximately 20 minutes. Some more in-depth tasting sessions may last longer. Refer to the below schedule for the lengths of specific sessions.
 
Tasting sessions will be ongoing during both days of the festival.  There will be signs listing the specific times and subjects of each session on display at the festival tasting booth sign-up area. The current schedule is shown below.

Tea Tasting Sessions:

---Saturday October 1st. ---

--- Sunday October 2nd ---

Are You Interested In Being A Tea Tasting Leader?

If you would like to participate as a tea tasting leader, please download the following:
Tea Tasting Leader information packet.

All are welcome, if you are interested contact Doug Livingston.