FIVE YEARS OF ESTA
What we have achieved and where we are planning to go in the future
European Speciality Tea Association is now five years old and we are looking forward to and planning for our next three years, but first, let’s take a look at what has been achieved in some very difficult times. We have established an inclusive, not for profit membership association that is run with good governance legally, financially and administratively. In short we have;
Achieved a membership of over 350 representing over 50 countries worldwide.
Encouraged a high level of recognition and appreciation within the wider tea industry.
Laid out the first ever openly accessible definition of speciality tea.
Collaborated with over twenty associations, universities and other organisations to jointly promote speciality tea.
Launched an education programme consisting of seven learning modules with more to come soon.
Delivered thirty-five webinars presented by many leading lights of the tea industry.
Participated in twenty-two tea events in ten different countries.
Published four science-based papers on tea and health and a white paper on the importance of water quality in tea.
Supported International Tea Day by organising a global sip in which raised €1200 to help the education of women in tea-growing communities
Introduced the concept of the tea barista to encourage more skill, passion and knowledge for tea in the coffee community and marketplace.
Continuously lobbied for and promoted speciality tea through our website, newsletters and social media channels.
Now as we look ahead we are putting together a new three year programme which we believe will elevate the association to the next level. The details of this programme will be revealed in the first part of 2024 and will certainly include plans to drive forward our joint project with Queens University Belfast to verify tea authenticity, to set up a dedicated European Tea Event to support our presence at other events organised by our growing number of local chapters who will be organising more speciality tea competitions to educate, inform and enthuse tea professionals and consumers.
We will do more to connect with tea producers, including organising more trips to tea growing origin to help link tea professionals with producers in order to build networks and new routes to the European market. We will also continue to advocate for and work towards a grading system for speciality tea which will help producers understand the market value of their tea, allow them to achieve better prices and provide consumers with better quality and choice.
Naturally, we shall continue to focus on connecting speciality to mainstream, we believe that the tea industry is in danger of spiralling downwards in terms of cost and therefore quality, and that speciality tea is the best hope of breaking that circle and leading a resurgence of the health of the global tea industry. We shall give our practical support to this aim.
We hope that you will be enthused and inspired to join us on our journey over the next few years.
European Speciality Tea Association facilitates connections between professionals from tea gardens to specialists along the tea value chain. Events and networks are inclusive, insightful and nurturing.
European Speciality Tea Association is a membership organisation reliant on the voluntary work of its members, and one of the most effective ways of volunteering is to sit on a committee or working group, many of which have been operating since our inception in 2018. We are pleased to announce that a new committee has just been formed under the chairmanship of Sharyn Johnston of Australian Tea Masters and that is the International Development Committee. This will be the outward facing part of our association and will be responsible for developing some really important areas of activity for us such as ethical and environmental issues, organised trips to areas of Origin, collaborations and partnerships supporting the tea value chain and it's issues and problems, and the role of tea culture, traditional and modern, in the tourism and hospitality sectors.
A number of working groups are being set up to tackle these various areas, and we are inviting members to contact us at hello@specialityteaeurope.com should you have an interest in joining any of these working groups.
To see the full organisation structure of ESTA Click here
SPONSORS
Brita are a Pioneer member who are also ESTA’s official water sponsor. Our director Willem Huisman explains why.
It was around 2 years ago that BRITA started a Pioneer membership with the European Speciality Tea Society. This is a logical move as already decades ago BRITA’s founder Heinz Hankammer knew tea made with filtered water tasted and looked good – but how did he convince others? By developing the tea test. He made two cups of tea: one with normal tap water, one with BRITA filtered water. After cooling down, unpleasant streaks floated on the tea made with tap water, while the other was clear with a fine aroma. Impressive to all who saw it. Talking about vision…..
In the last two years the name of the European Tea Society changed to European Speciality Tea Association, expressing the inclusive way the organisation wants to follow. Together, hand in hand consumers, professional tea baristas, manufacturers and producers take new steps forward by sharing experience and inspire Tea excellence. So far, we even started the Benelux ESTA chapter founded by Kiona Malinka and Liesbeth Sleijster, moving forward. We recommend you to be part of this as well by being a member or sponsor. Follow the Benelux link: Home — European Speciality Tea Association (specialityteaeurope.com)
It is still a long way to go as by far not in every Chinese or “haute cuisine” restaurant we can enjoy a perfect cup of tea yet. But what is long as we can share our ideas and experiences over a cup of tea?
We are more than happy to be part of this movement and share our water knowledge with all the stakeholders in the chain to enjoy and improve tea excellence. Hopefully we can welcome you all again during the coming Amsterdam Tea and Coffee Festival and Gent Expo and Horecava.
We are happy and proud to be the water sponsors of ESTA
European Speciality Tea Association is pleased to have a sponsorship agreement with Marco Beverage Systems whereby Marco will sponsor several events and the membership of a number of tea baristas in Ireland. The membership package will include Introduction to Tea training for the tea baristas who in turn will be available to support Marco and ESTA at any events to be held in Ireland. This agreement recognises the growing status of the tea barista in the speciality tea movement and will undoubtedly help the soon to be launched Irish chapter in its promotion of speciality tea.
Marco Beverage Systems design, manufacture, sell and support water and coffee delivery systems. For over 30 years Marco have been supporting specialty beverage, foodservice, catering and hospitality customers around the world. Marco's systems are known for sleek design, precision control and energy-efficiency. Recognising the beverage industry needs for design, quality and ease Marco have developed a range of countertop and undercounter systems that give users precise control and consistent, high-quality beverages. As global industry leaders with a passion for knowledge and innovation, Marco is driven by a purpose to deliver excellence in beverage experience in all beverage environments.
Amsterdam Coffee Festival 2019
