James Norwood Pratt enthralled the crowd with stories and cups of rare brew from his most recent tour of Taiwan tea plantations while Mitchel Noble shared some of the current medical research on the health benefits of tea and sampled some of the finest Chinese teas PeLi Tea imports. Tea educator, Anne Evans, delighted the Sippers with A History of U.S. Tearooms and the staff of the host tearoom, An Afternoon To Remember, demonstrated scone-making, tea tray organization, brewing techniques and maintained a non-stop service of tea and treats.

“We wanted to demonstrate the way in which participating tea businesses can create their own events for ITSS members to increase their business,” co-founder and tearoom owner Amy Lawrence explained. “We want to reach out to tea drinkers with tea information and resources and value. The response has been fantastic so far.”

Her ITSS partner, Babette Donaldson and author of children’s tea stories, added, “Timing is critical. There is now huge interest in tea and demand for new products. We want to be a bridge connecting the consumers with businesses in a meaningful way – beneficial to both.

The actual launch of the International Tea Sippers Society will be on May 2,3 & 4, 2009 at the World Tea Expo in Las Vegas. At this time tea businesses will be able to participate creating a descriptive profile of their businesses on the ITSS member website.

James Norwood Pratt

On April 17th, An Afternoon to Remember will be hosting the kick off event for the International Tea Sippers Society.  The kick off event called “First Flush, ” will be in open house format from 11-7  with featured guest speakers James Norwood Pratt, Mitchel Noble, and Anne Evans.  The day will be centered around tea. Here is a tentative schedule of events (times subject to change):

11:00 Introductions-Babette Donaldson and Amy Lawrence

11:15  Upcoming Tea Trips and Tours-Micki King

11:30 Latest Research and Health Benefits about Tea-Mitchel Noble

12:00 History of U.S. Tea Rooms-Anne Evans

12:30 Tea Talk and Focused Tasting – Featured Guest-James Norwood Pratt

1:30  Latest Research and Health Benefits about Tea with Focused Tasting-Mitchel Noble

2:30 How to Make Scones-Chris Jennings

3:00 How to Decorate A Tea Tray-Dena Macklin

3:30 Focused Tasting on Flavored Teas-Fran Swart

4:00 Information about International Tea Sippers Society-Babette Donaldson

PeLi Teas

4:15  Upcoming Tea Trips and Tours-Micki King

4:30  Latest Research and Health Benefits about Tea with Focused Tasting-Mitchel Noble

5:30  History of U.S. Tea Rooms-Anne Evans

6:00 Tea Talk and Focused Tasting – Featured Guest-James Norwood Pratt