Hong Kong International Tea Fair to return in August 2017

Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Hong Kong International Tea Fair takes place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 17 to 19 August 2017, offering a wide range of tea leaves, processed tea and tea products, tea packaging, teaware, tea technology and other tea-related products to buyers from all over the world.

Interested?

Preregister for the 2017 event. Overseas trade visitors may visit free if they preregister by July, while domestic trade visitors can enjoy free access if they pregister by 3 August 2017.

View the results for the 2016 tea competition

Starbucks brings Teavana beverages to Asia Pacific

• Iced and hot tea beverages with layered flavours now handcrafted at Starbucks stores
• With the launch across Asia, Teavana beverages and teas are now available in Starbucks locations around the world

Source: Starbucks. Starbucks Teavana comes to Asia Pacific outlets.

Starbucks Coffee Company has introduced Starbucks Teavana as a core offering in more than 6,200 stores across its 16 markets in the China and Asia Pacific region. A new brand for Starbucks in Asia, Starbucks Teavana handcrafted beverages and full leaf tea sachets offer unique iced and hot tea beverages with layered flavours, handcrafted by Starbucks.

“The launch of Starbucks Teavana in China and Asia Pacific brings an entirely new and modern tea experience specifically developed for our customers, who increasingly want new and different tastes and experiences,” said John Culver, Group President, Starbucks Global Retail. "This is a tremendous opportunity to leverage the company’s expertise in creating best-in-class retail experiences, handcrafting customised beverages, and sourcing the finest ingredients, to become a leader in a new category for us. Just as we’ve done for coffee, this is tea reimagined at Starbucks.”

Tea is a US$125 billion global category and is the second most consumed beverage in the world, second only to water. The launch of Starbucks Teavana is the first time Starbucks has launched a brand on this scale since 2008 with the launch of Starbucks VIA Ready Brew.

With Starbucks Teavana, Starbucks also draws on its long heritage of commitment to using only the most premium, high-quality ingredients. Leveraging deep relationships with tea growers, Teavana sources the world’s highest-quality teas and botanicals. Starbucks sourcing and blending experts cup (taste) hundreds of teas daily to select only the finest teas for Starbucks Teavana.

Starbucks Teavana will be available in stores across all its markets in the China and Asia Pacific region: Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

Availability of Starbucks Teavana offerings will vary by market. The beverages have been specifically developed for Asian customers.

Source: Starbucks.
Matcha & espresso fusion.

Matcha & espresso fusion
Matcha powder layered with milk and Starbucks signature espresso roast creates a layered beverage that combines coffee and tea, to be enjoyed hot or iced.

Starbucks Teavana full leaf tea sachets for hot tea include:

Black teas

English breakfast – A handcrafted blend of Indian Assam, Sri Lankan Ceylon and Chinese black tea.

Chai – A tea blend with ginger and black pepper, cardamom and sweet cinnamon notes.

Green teas

Emperor’s clouds and mist – Exclusively harvested during the month of April and grown on the steep, windy slopes of Huangshan Mountain at 3,500 ft above sea level, this tea has a rich body and is naturally sweet.

Mint citrus – This refreshing blend combines green tea, lemon verbena, tropical lemongrass, and US Pacific Northwest sourced spearmint for a citrus green tea experience. Chun Mee (珍眉, precious eyebrows) is the green tea base for this blend.

Herbal teas

Mint blend – This tea’s spearmint base is rounded out with peppermint notes and undertones of lemon verbena. The mint leaves come from the highly sought after Pacific Northwest mint, known for its high amount of mint oil.

Chamomile – The chamomile used for this soft, soothing floral blend is from Croatia.

Very hot beverages cause cancer, drinking coffee in itself does not

Coffee from Chye Seng Huat Hardware Store, Singapore.

IARC Monographs have come to some conclusions on the dangers of drinking coffee, maté, and very hot beverages. An international working group of 23 scientists convened by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO), has evaluated the carcinogenicity of drinking coffee, maté* and very hot beverages. The IARC aims to coordinate and conduct research on the causes of human cancer and the mechanisms of carcinogenesis, and to develop scientific strategies for cancer control.

A summary of the final evaluations is published in The Lancet Oncology, and the detailed assessments will be published as Volume 116 of the IARC Monographs. The working group found no conclusive evidence for a carcinogenic effect of drinking coffee. However, the experts did find that drinking very hot** beverages probably causes cancer of the oesophagus in humans. No conclusive evidence was found for drinking maté at temperatures that are not very hot.

“These results suggest that drinking very hot beverages is one probable cause of oesophageal cancer and that it is the temperature, rather than the drinks themselves, that appears to be responsible, ” says Dr Christopher Wild, IARC Director.

Very hot beverages

Drinking very hot beverages was classified as probably carcinogenic to humans. This was based on limited evidence from epidemiological studies that showed positive associations between cancer of the oesophagus and drinking very hot beverages. Studies in places such as China, Iran, Turkey, and South America, where tea or maté is traditionally drunk very hot (at about 70°C) , found that the risk of oesophageal cancer increased with the temperature at which the beverage was drunk.

In experiments involving animals, there was also limited evidence for the carcinogenicity of very hot water, the working group found.

“Smoking and alcohol drinking are major causes of oesophageal cancer, particularly in many high- income countries,” stresses Dr Wild. “However, the majority of oesophageal cancers occur in parts of Asia, South America, and East Africa, where regularly drinking very hot beverages is common and where the reasons for the high incidence of this cancer are not as well understood.”

Oesophageal cancer is the eighth most common cause of cancer worldwide and one of the main causes of cancer death, with approximately 400,000 deaths recorded in 2012 (5% of all cancer deaths), says the WHO. The proportion of oesophageal cancer cases that may be linked to drinking very hot beverages is not known.

Hibiscus maté on the left, guarana ginseng on the right - drinks at the Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland, Australia, 2006.

Maté

Cold maté did not have carcinogenic effects in experiments on animals or in epidemiological studies. Therefore, drinking maté at temperatures that are not very hot was not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans. This was based on inadequate evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of drinking cold or warm maté and inadequate evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of cold maté as a drinking liquid*.

Coffee

Drinking coffee was not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans. The large body of evidence currently available led to the reevaluation of the carcinogenicity of coffee drinking, previously classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans by IARC in 1991. After thoroughly reviewing more than 1,000 studies in humans and animals, the working group found that there was inadequate evidence for the carcinogenicity of coffee drinking overall. Many epidemiological studies showed that coffee drinking had no carcinogenic effects for cancers of the pancreas, female breast, and prostate, and reduced risks were seen for cancers of the liver and uterine endometrium. For more than 20 other cancers, the evidence was inconclusive.

A scan of research online showed pretty much the same conclusions. In one 2009 study in Iran, researchers found that compared with drinking lukewarm or warm tea, drinking hot tea or very hot tea was associated with an increased risk of oesophageal cancer. For this study, temperatures of warm, hot and very hot tea were defined as being under 60°C, between 61 and 64°C, and 65°C and above respectively. Various confounders such as ethnicity, daily vegetable intake, alcohol consumption, tobacco or opium use, duration of residence in rural areas, and socioeconomic status were ruled out as likely causes. The total amount of tea consumed did not have an effect, either.

A 1995 study on maté in Paraguay linked very hot maté to oesophageal cancer. The authors of the research pointed out however that alcohol consumption, smoking, and eating of beef were also linked to the same cancer. The association between very hot maté and cancer was also found in a 2000 study, which also noted that the more maté is consumed, the higher the risk of oesophageal cancer. Women were found to have a higher risk of the cancer on all counts. The good news is that eating fruit, vegetables, cereals and drinking tea has a protective effect, but meat, animal fats and salt led to an increased cancer risk.

In 2011, a study in Southern China linked not only the drinking of very hot beverages to cancer, but also the eating of high-temperature foods - those which had been fried or barbecued. Eating fast was also correlated with cancer.

The IARC Monographs Programme seeks to classify cancer hazards, meaning the potential of any substance to cause cancer based on current knowledge. The classification does not indicate what level of risk exists to people’s health associated with exposure to a classified hazard. For example, IARC has classified tobacco smoking as carcinogenic to humans, but that classification does not indicate the increase in risk for each cigarette smoked. This working group evaluation is in line with the WHO Technical Report Series 916 on diet, nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases, which states that people should not consume drinks when they are at a very hot (scalding hot) temperature.

A 2015 study postulates that the stem cell division model of cancer can explain why very hot foods and beverages cause cancer. Swallowing something too hot will damage cells in the oesophagus. Stem cell division is activated to repair the cells, and the more often stem cells divide over a period of time, the higher the risk of DNA damage, and in turn cancer. The author, Miguel López-Lázaro, further speculates that controlling stem cell divisions, such as through taking a daily low dose aspirin, could reduce cancer rates and reduce the likelihood of dying from cancer.

Interested?

Read the IARC Monographs Q&A on classifications (PDF)

Read the IARC Monographs Q&A on the evaluation of drinking coffee, maté, and very hot beverages (PDF)

*Maté, also called yerba maté, is an infusion made from dried leaves of ilex paraguariensis. It is consumed mainly in South America and to a lesser extent in the Middle East, Europe, and North America. It is also available as a health supplement in Singapore. Maté is traditionally drunk very hot (at about 70°C), but it may also be consumed warm or cold. 

**“Very hot” refers to any beverages consumed at a temperature above 65°C. See the Q&A for more details.

Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Saudi Arabia confiscates fake tea packaging

Source: MCI.

KSA's Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI) inspectors have caught illegal labourers storing counterfeit tea packets for a famous brand of tea in Al Manakh quarter, south of Riyadh.

The inspectors seized about 4,000 counterfeit empty red tea packets bearing Al Rabe`a Tea branding, in addition to machines used to print and fold the packaging. The packaging and equipment were confiscated, while those responsible have been summoned by the MCI for investigations.

MCI has implemented random inspection campaigns targeting warehouses and rest houses, and is committed to prevent fraud and practices that put the health and safety of consumers at risk.

The public may report complaints and suspicious activity through the toll free number 1900 in KSA, or through the application of a commercial notification.

Tea Forte launches halal-certified mooncakes in Singapore

Source: Tea Forte.

Tea Forté Singapore has launched halal certified Tea Forté mooncakes.

The Autumn in Abundance family of mooncakes includes low-sugar traditional baked mooncakes, the Creative Infused collection as well as an exclusive Luxury family. The company, a tea specialist, recommends that the traditional mooncakes be paired with its organic white ginger pear tea, and the Creative Infused collection accompanied by the organic green mango peach tea. The Luxurious family is best enjoyed with its orchid vanilla tea, Tea Forté said.

The traditional baked mooncakes come in White Lotus Paste with Melon Seed, as well as lotus paste and melon seed fillings with single or double yolks. The Golden Jade Paste with Melon Seed mooncake is pandan flavoured, while the Seed of Harmony (assorted nuts) version is a best seller.

The Creative Infused collection has a Green Tea with Melon Seed flavour, as well as Mango with Melon Seed, Durian with Melon Seed and Tiramisu with Melon Seed.

The Luxurious collection is more unusual, with charcoal skinned Precious Delight (pandan with single yolk), Grand Ruby, which has a red yeast skin and a filling made of white lotus paste and black sesame, and Seed of Prosperity - golden jade skin with pandan paste, custard and a single yolk. Golden Pearl makes up a fourth - mandarin orange skin, with infused paste, milk and butter.

Tea Forté has also designed the mooncake boxes as collectibles. Each box can be repurposed as a table lamp.

Interested?

Look for the mooncakes, paired with recommended teas, at Takashimaya Square, Tangs at Tang Plaza, Tangs at Vivocity and Tangs at Nex Atrium till 27 September. Call +65 6742 0635 / 36 with questions.

Enquire about corporate gifts

Hashtag: #sghalal

posted from Bloggeroid

Get ready for India's only trade show for tea and coffee this October

A cup of coffee.

The 3rd World Tea & Coffee Expo 2015 (WTCE), India's only international trade show focused on tea and coffee, will be held at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Goregaon, Mumbai, India from 1 to 3 October 2015.

The exhibition showcasing brands, products, machinery and technologies from India and abroad is complemented by a two-day conference, a match-making programme, technical workshops, tasting sessions, barista championships, and latte art events.

Over 6,000 trade visitors are expected to attend.

International Coffee & Tea Festival 2015 to be held in Dubai in November

The International Coffee & Tea Festival, the only dedicated trade event for the coffee and tea industry in the Arab world, will be back again for a seventh edition. 

Source: International Conferences & Exhibitions.

Organised by International Conferences & Exhibitions, the next edition of the show will be held from November 11 to 13, 2015 at The Meydan Gallery and Convention Centre in Dubai.

The UAE has registered nearly 2,200 new café licenses in the last two years while more than 90 in-shop and large-scale coffee roasters are planning to open for business in the next 24 months. The country’s traditional coffee culture and an expanding tea market complement increasing investment in the café, coffee and tea businesses estimated to be worth between US$350 million and US$400 million, the show organisers said.
The 2015 International Coffee & Tea Festival will showcase all facets of coffee and tea and café products, equipment and services. Ryan Godinho, UAE’s National Liaison for World Coffee Events and Special Events Coordinator (Training & Championships) with the International Coffee & Tea Festival said: “The International Coffee and Tea Festival will be back again to address the challenges and strengths of the region’s growing coffee and tea industry. Only through exposure and competition will the quality of product and delivery improve. We need to more than double our efforts in bringing products that are constantly evolving as a result of ongoing research and development within this sector, into the region. Within the foreseeable future, Dubai will play a more active role in the world of coffee and tea.

“The Coffee & Tea Festival will also continue to focus on the career advancement of people working within the tea and coffee industry and at the same time provide entrepreneurs a platform to explore business opportunities within this lucrative industry.”

The International Coffee & Tea Festival is supported by the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) and World Coffee Events (WCE). It is the UAE’s only dedicated exhibition that showcases specialty coffee and tea products from around the world and attracts industry professionals from across the GCC, the MENA region, and the Indian sub-continent.

Fancy your tea on TV?

Lipton is running a social media promotion over Ramadhan, from iftar to suhoor, with the hashtag #teamoments.

The tea brand invites tea lovers to share their #teamoments on social platforms like Twitter, Vine, Facebook, and Instagram. Videos and pictures will be automatically entered into a draw for an iPad and the chance for your #teamoments to appear on TV in the Lipton Eid TV commercial.

Pictures or video which has already been uploaded can be seen here (click on 'moments' on the left).