When you would usually attend conferences in person, we are now exploring alternative ways to stay connected. Recently I had the pleasure of attending a virtual tea festival! That’s right…the International Virtual Tea Festival delivered on some great tea time activities.
Just like when you attend a conference in person, there was a vendor floor complete with demonstrations and swag bags. Keynote speakers and main events were available for those attending as well as breakout sessions and classes. The whole function ran on one platform and used Zoom meetings to connect. Once you registered, you received your link and you were off and running. It was very well organized. My sisters and I donned our tea time hats and got ready to attend our first ever virtual tea festival.
I want to share some of the classes I attended but first let’s hit the vendor floor!
VENDOR FLOOR
The vendor floor was open from 9AM to 5PM, so you had plenty of time to “walk the aisles” and see what was happening in the tea world. With over 40 vendors your schedule was full just checking out all the sites!
Each vendor told their own story and displayed their products. As well, many had videos on teas and live sessions to interact with the vendor and other attendees. Contests were held for merchandise and downloads of all sorts. From recipes to educational as well as coloring pages for the young tea drinkers, there was an abundance of resources. And of course, you could just shop if you wanted. Just enter the booth and browse or connect through a group. Many of the vendors followed up with an email to say thanks and just check in for any questions. Just like a live conference, you could spend hours there.
ABOUT THE CLASSES
Just a little about the classes. There were multiple classes available. Some live…some recorded…and some a combination or hybrid. You could easily have filled your day with online classes to participate in. I chose ones that I had an interest in. Though the subject matter was all about tea, the rest was anywhere from travels, cooking, history, or health benefits. It seemed like an endless catalog of options. Each instructor contacted you ahead of time to let you know what you needed for the class and posted any downloads you would need. A couple even had shopping lists for the class. When it came time to go to class, you simply went to your agenda and got started. Here’s a sample of the classes I attended.
COOKING WITH TEA: How To Infuse Your Recipes
COOKING WITH TEA: How To Infuse Your Recipes was taught by Marlys and Alan Arnold, owners of Adventures with Tea. These two have a wealth of knowledge and experience between the two of them and presented 9 techniques for cooking with tea. The class was presented in a hybrid model, meaning one portion was recorded and the second, a Q&A, was live. Chat comments and questions were going on all the time. I came away with recipes and techniques to continue my journey of cooking and baking with tea.
This dynamic couple have been cooking with tea for years. Their presentation was packed full of techniques and ideas. Here’s the list of techniques:
- Substituting tea for water in recipes
- Poaching
- Flavor pairings (see chart)
- Marinades and Brines
- Stock or Soup Bases
- Cold Infusions
- Blended
- Ground as a spice
- Sauces and Syrups
From drinks to desserts, vegetables and meats, the opportunities to cook and bake with tea is only limited by your imagination. Encouraged to experiment with teas that you enjoy as a drink, this class opened up a world of possibilities. It was pretty amazing to see all the beautiful dishes that could be made with tea!
COCKTAILS WITH TEA
Well I have baked and cooked with tea, but I haven’t made cocktails with tea. Yes, cocktails with tea. This class showed you how to make cocktails that had a base of tea! I was intrigued. Agnieszka (Agnes) Rapacz, a Certified Tea Sommelier (German School) from Tea Gschwendner, taught Cocktails with Tea and went through 4 cocktails using 4 different teas –
- Earl Grey MarTEAni
- Proseco with White Tea Elderflower
- Bergamot and Blossoms (using Hibiscus tea)
- Hazelnut Moments (using Hazelnut Chocolate tea)
The Ear Grey MarTEAni uses Vodka that has been infused with Earl Grey tea. Add the vodka, Cointreau, shake and serve in a martini glass with a lemon twist. That easy and that delicious.
This class was live and we could make the cocktails along with our presenter. From infusing a tea in vodka to mixing steeped tea with a simple syrup, these cocktails presented a delicious taste adventure for tea drinkers.
With the winter season coming soon, the class finished with t amazing drink!
Hazelnut Moments
Hazelnut Chocolate tea brewed in hot water for 2 minutes. Add 4 oz of Appleton Estate Jamaican Rum and 1.5oz of condensed milk. Mix and enjoy! Give me a blanket and a nice fire….a Hazelnut Moment would be perfect.
As you can imagine, sometimes the technical aspect of things can be a challenge. This was the case for our speaker but she graciously connected with each of us, sent us a sample of the teas that were used in the drinks along with a teelamaas (German for measuring spoon). I am excited to give these all a try with my new teelamaas.
ESSENTIALS OF TEA TASTING
This was another great class and the last of the live sessions that I attended. It was Essentials of Tea Tasting by Suzette Hammond, an award winning teacher from being tea. This class was a live meeting where we went through the process tasting 4 different teas.
Suzette expertly guided us through the process of tasting teas, explaining about the equipment, each tea, temperatures, and most fun – the tasting process. She shared a tool that helped outline how to describe what you would taste and smell. The class focused on 4 teas with a broad range of tastes. We practiced looking at the leaf, examining the color when steeped to learning the art of slurping and sipping – this was a great class. Though a very preliminary step into the whole tea tasting journey, it equipped us daily enthusiasts with the tools to taste teas and began our understanding of the distinctions between different types of teas.
READY FOR ANOTHER VIRTUAL FESTIVAL
We thoroughly enjoyed the tea festival. Would we do it again? Absolutely. We would have enjoyed to be in person but this was a great alternative. And surprisingly, the time went by very quickly.
I have only scratched the surface of what was offered. Not only in the speakers but in all the vendors and presentations. I have included the links of the 3 speakers – their sites are full of great information and products.
After the festival, the organizers made sure that the sessions were made available for several months afterwards. There was only so much time in the day and space on the internet! Such a wealth of information and you could jump in and access at any time. No travel time, no lodging costs…..just a lot of great tea and fantastic memories.
This was a great experience. I look forward to being able to attend in person, but in the meantime – I will absolutely be attending a virtual tea festival again!
48 Comments
Ayesha Siddiqui
I love the concept of a virtual conference! It’s probably not the same experience but a different one – maybe you wouldn’t have been able to walk to al l the vendors in a real convention hall but here they are instantly available to. Thanks for sharing this unique experience!
Beth
Hi Ayesha – Yes it was different but great fun. I was able to share my screen with my sisters and walk the floor, so to speak. We really had a great time and met some fun people….and learned a lot. Thanks for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post.
Laura
It is amazing what things they can virtually! As I drink my cup of tea reading your post, I think I’d be ordering everything they talked about or offered because I’d want to taste it all! Loved that a group of you still got together-with hats- to enjoy the conference together.
Beth
Hi Laura – Yes, we still did – it was pretty funny. It was a lot of fun and very interesting. Thanks for your comments and glad that you enjoyed the post.
Holly
Our lives are changing every day… but this seems to be a perfect way to attend a conference! I think the only thing missing is the smell and touching of the different products! Maybe one day someone will find a way to put samples and I do in packages and get the mailed for the conference!!
Beth
Hi Holly – Thanks for your comments. They actually did have a way to get the samples. There was a tea tasting class that I wanted to attend but it was all sold out. You would have received a kit of 15 teas to taste. We were disappointed by we were still able to fill in the days with great stuff. Glad that you enjoyed the post.
Alyssa
Oh cool, I didn’t even know there was such a thing! Sounds super fun, thank you for sharing!
Beth
Hi Alyssa – Yes, I didn’t know either. When I saw it advertised, I jumped on it and it was well worth it. I am sure there are a ton of other festivals / conferences out there virtual in all of our interests. Thanks for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post.
Debbie
Sounds like the virtual festival was jam packed just like any other conference, but really gave you a better opportunity to engage in all of it. The vendor floors are always so crowded at conferences that I usually miss vendors or not even connect with their actual purpose. Also, when you are trekking around a large venue you don’t have time for as many classes. This might be one of those changes that sticks!
Beth
Hi Debbie – Well certainly this is one silver lining that we might not have anticipated. I agree – and that they opened it up for several months afterwards. lets you just go through all the booths at your leisure (and in your jammies!). And you are correct – those floors get jammed for sure. Thanks for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post.
Barbara
Excellent recap. Felt like we were back at the festival. Fun to relive it. Yes, would do it again.
Beth
Hi Barbara – Yes it was great fun. And so glad that you enjoyed attending as well! Will be looking for our next festival to log into! Thanks for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post.
Sydney Delong-Eat Simply Sweet
This looked so well put together! And those classes are super interesting- I would have liked the Cooking with Tea class very much!
Beth
Hi Sydney – Well it was very organized. I was pretty impressed with how well it was run. Check out Adventures with Tea website. They have a ton of information on how to do all those techniques. Very fun indeed. Thanks for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post.
Sabrina
I would love to attend a Tea Conference virtually or otherwise. So much to learn. However, virtually I would miss the taste and smell of the various teas. These are the times we live in so we have to make do. Thanks for sharing.
Beth
Hi Sabrina – Yes I agree, it would have been fun to taste but like you said, a great alternative. Thanks for your comment and glad you enjoyed the post.
Elaina
What fun! I love anything to do with tea. Never would of thought of a tea Martini.
Beth
Hi Elaina – Right? Well its been out there for awhile evidently. Any of these were delightful. The cooking was amazing as well. Thanks for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post.
Bonnie
I would attend cocktails with tea!!! Some of the virtual festivals/conferences that I’ve attended in 2020 have been great but a few have been really disappointing. Sounds like the tea festival was a good investment of time.
Beth
Hi Bonnie – This was so well organized….it was definitely a good investment of our time. Thanks for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post.
Lisa Manderino
That is awesome that there are so many great options to learn from!
Beth
Hi Lisa – Yes it was. And quite surprising. Thanks for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post.
Keirsten
That’s pretty cool, I had no idea there was a tea community let alone tea festivals. I mean it makes sense! Love the cocktail recipes too, they sound delicious!
Beth
Hi Keirsten – Yes, it was pretty cool. The tea community is actually very large and international. Yes, the cocktails were delicious. Thanks for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post.
Karie
Wow, I had no clue that there were so many different things to do with tea. I have been collecting teacups and saucers for a little tea party event. I am excited to learn that there can be so many options for this party.
Beth
Hi Karie – Well there are tons of things that you can do. The festival was great fun and a ton of information. Appreciate your comment and am excited to hear about your tea party. Let me know if you need some ideas – I am full of them! Glad that you enjoyed the post.
Tiffany Smith
I am constantly amazed at how much you can do with tea! I was impressed with cooking, and now drinks?!?! Amazing!
Beth
Hi Tiffany – Well certainly a wealth of things you can do with tea. Yes and now drinks! How fun. So glad that you enjoyed the post and thank you for your comment.
Suzan | It's My Sustainable Life
What a great time for you! I so appreciate the ingenuity of being able to adapt during these times!
Beth
Hi Suzan – Thanks. Yes, I think it was a bit of a silver lining actually. A lot of fun and great information. Thanks for your comment and glad you enjoyed the post!
Suz
That’s wonderful that they did such a great job at the virtual conference. Now I see where you get so many unique idea for flavorings and infusions.
Both of the cocktails sound amazing! I like martinis and I like Earl Grey – I may have to try a Marteani for Happy Hour tonight!
Beth
Hi Suz – Thanks so much for your comments. Yes it was a great example of how things can be done virtually. Glad you enjoyed the post and let me know how you enjoy your Earl Grey MarTEAni!
Jill DeMasi
That is really cool info! I never knew you can make so many different things with tea!
Beth
Hi Jill – Yes fascinating! And if you check out there website, they offer classes and much more. Very cool. The festival was full of this kind of information. Thanks for your comment. Glad that you enjoyed the post!
Sandi
Prosecco with anything is always amazing. I’ll be it’s sensational with white tea.
Beth
Hi Sandi – Yes, I agree. That will absolutely be my Christmas tea special – even if its just with me! Thanks for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post.
Justine
I have never heard of this before. What a great idea and I love the idea of doing a virtual tea conference!
Beth
HI Justine – I had not either but have done a ton of zoom / video things for years. But this was right up my alley and so fun. So many possibilities and well done in organizing so many moving parts! Glad that you enjoyed the post and thank you for your comment.
Barbara
What a cool idea to share a virtual experience. The final tea with the rum and milk sounds devine!
Beth
Hi Barbara – Yes it was great fun and a neat way to still stay connected. The whole tea community is huge so it was great to see all the different tea vendors. Yes and we are just in the season for that kind of drink! Thanks for your comment and glad you enjoyed the post.
Marianne
Sounds amazing! I guess with COVID, people have to get really creative when it comes to events. I think I spent a little too much time looking at the marTEAni! May have to give that a try!
Beth
Hi Marianne – It was fun and they did a great job. Yes that MarTEAni looks delicious – and its been around evidently. Several recipes out on the web. But it was a next experience. Thanks for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post.
Cindy Moore
This looks so interesting! What a great alternative to attending in person. I love how creative people are this year, in offering ways to learn and stay connected remotely.
Beth
Hi Cindy – Yes, it was well organized and creative for sure. I would do it again – so affordable and easy! Thanks for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post.
Danielle Ardizzone
Such a cute idea! Hopefully, we can all get together for in-person events soon.
Beth
Hi Danielle – It was a lot of fun for sure. And I would do it again and as an alternative. What was great that it connected people that might not be able to attend in person because of all sorts of reasons. Thanks for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post.
Liz
I love the concept of a virtual conference! It’s a great way to come together during these times! I will have to try out the tea cocktails- perfect for a cold day!
Beth
Hi Liz – Yes it was great fun and a ton of information. Very well organized and easy to “walk the floor”. Thanks for your comment and glad that you enjoyed the post.