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Exploring the Specialty Tea Movement Interestingly enough, it seems that in the West, spe-
cialty coffee inspired the conception of specialty tea. This
While researching, I stumbled upon the website of the unexpected revelation highlights the interconnectedness
European Specialty Tea Association (ESTA). At first glance, of the beverage world and the constant exchange of ideas
the style and format of the website has a stark resemblance and practices between different sectors. However, this
with the one of the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), so revelation perhaps is not as surprising as it seemed to me.
it piqued my interest and prompted me to explore further. If you look at recent statistics, you will learn that coffee
I soon discovered that the ESTA is a not for profit predominates in the Americas and in continental Europe,
organization that was established in 2018. According to while tea is preferred in Asian countries.
their mission statement, they strive to create and inspire So, for the West to be inspired by specialty coffee in
excellence in the specialty tea community through inno- developing the concept of specialty tea makes sense, given
vation, research, education and communication. the cultural context and preferences for beverages in those
One of the first things that the ESTA tried to do was regions. In light of this interconnectedness, it becomes
to define what specialty tea means by identifying key fac- clear that the specialty tea movement is not simply a rep-
tors such as known suppliers, farms, production dates, and lication of the specialty coffee model but rather a unique
processing methods as distinguishing characteristics of adaptation that reflects the distinct characteristics and
specialty teas. According to ESTA, specialty tea quality can traditions of tea culture.
be assessed through criteria including the dry leaf, aroma, At the same time, we see a surge in modern coffee
liquor color and clarity, flavor and mouthfeel, and the adaptations across Asia, particularly in China. While tea
appearance and aroma of the wet leaf. has historically held a revered place in Asian cultures, the
By this point I started asking myself what the scoring growing popularity of coffee represents a shifting cultural
system of tea is like. When it comes to coffee, scoring landscape influenced by globalization, urbanization, and
systems are well-established within the specialty coffee changing consumer preferences. Just as the specialty coffee
industry, governed by organizations like the Specialty movement in the West drew inspiration from tea culture,
Coffee Association (SCA). However, I soon realized that so too does the growing appreciation for coffee in Asia may
the world of specialty tea grading is more diverse and lacks contribute to a reimagining of tea traditions and practices.
a unified international system. Each tea-producing country
employs distinct grading methods, adding to the complex- ESTA’s Contributions to the Global Tea
ity of assessing tea quality. Community
In China, quality assessment hinges on factors such as
region, harvest season, and the specific name of the tea. As the worlds of tea and coffee continue to evolve, op-
Meanwhile, Japan places emphasis on tea type, production portunities for collaboration and cross-pollination between
area, and grade, with a keen eye for seasonal nuances. Tai- these beloved beverage industries are on the rise. A notable
wan’s grading system focuses on the region, mountain, sea- trend is the increasing prevalence of tea competitions in the
son, and grade of the tea. Conversely, countries like India, West, echoing the established coffee competitions. Baristas are increasingly participating in Matcha Latte Art
Sri Lanka, and Africa categorize teas based on whether the According to Steve Lovegrove, board member of the and Tea Cup Tasting competitions, seizing the chance to
leaves are whole, broken, or crushed, employing intricate European Specialty Tea Association, “Synergies between highlight their skills in the tea category. This trend is ex-
systems to denote leaf quality and characteristics. specialty coffee and tea are closer now than ever before. pected to expand, fostering greater community cohesion
Despite the absence of a standardized approach, these as the specialty tea category continues to flourish.” Additionally, ESTA has made notable research contri-
country-specific grading systems provide consumers with ESTA has achieved significant milestones in its five-year butions, publishing four science-based papers on tea and
comprehensive insights into the quality and characteristics journey, contributing to the global recognition and appreci- health, alongside advocacy efforts supporting Internation-
of specialty teas. It seems, however, that the ESTA might ation of specialty tea. With a membership spanning over 50 al Tea Day and championing sustainability. Introducing the
be trying to fill this gap by providing unified comprehensive countries, ESTA has fostered a diverse and inclusive commu- innovative concept of the Tea Barista, ESTA aims to culti-
guidelines for assessing specialty tea quality, much like the nity dedicated to advancing the specialty tea industry. vate skill, passion, and knowledge for tea, expanding beyond
SCA did for coffee. Through collaborative efforts with numerous associa- coffee to embrace a broader spectrum of beverages.
tions and organizations, ESTA has promoted specialty tea Furthermore, ESTA’s focus on education and advoca-
worldwide, defining its characteristics and elevating its cy extends beyond its membership to engage with broader
status with the first openly accessible definition of the term. audiences. By hosting webinars, participating in events,
Their comprehensive education program, consisting of and collaborating with associations worldwide, ESTA am-
seven learning modules, empowers professionals and enthu- plifies the visibility and appreciation of specialty tea,
siasts with in-depth knowledge, complemented by thirty-five bridging the gap between enthusiasts, professionals, and
webinars and twenty-two tea events across ten countries. the general public.

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