European Speciality Tea Association

The European Speciality Tea Association is a not for profit organisation limited by guarantee, owned by our members and totally inclusive. Our mission is to create and inspire excellence in the speciality tea community through innovation, research, education and communication

WHAT IS SPECIALITY TEA

Many people have tried to define speciality tea, some think it is impossible to do. During the first half of 2021 a working group of experienced tea professionals focussed on pulling together all of the important elements that a definition of speciality tea might encompass. We acknowledge that it will be difficult if not impossible to achieve a definition which is universally agreed by all in the speciality tea community, so we have described our approach rather than dictate a definition, in the hope that most people will agree with most of its content. However we acknowledge, and indeed hope, that this document will encourage an ongoing debate and therefore continue to promote speciality tea into the future. 

OUR DEFINITION OF SPECIALITY TEA

Aspiring to attain excellence in all aspects of tea processing and brewing from the bush to the cup

European Speciality Tea Association (ESTA) values the science and art of tea making at every level. We value the skill, dedication and care which has been applied to create delicate and unique hand-crafted teas which can be categorized as speciality tea.

We support the speciality tea industry in all aspects of tea production from bush to cup and recognise the farmers who are aspiring to attain excellence.

We also value the following factors which we believe help contribute to being able to distinguish speciality teas from commodity teas. These can include but are not limited to:

The known supplier, the known farm, the known location, the known production dates, the known processing method.

Speciality tea can also be defined by the quality of the five criteria below:

1.     The dry leaf

2.     The aroma of the dry leaf

3.     The colour and clarity of the liquor

4.     The flavour and mouthfeel of the liquor

5.     The appearance and aroma of the wet leaf

At ESTA we also support the use of biodegradable and environmentally friendly packaging because this is an integral part of the tea industry’s future.

We believe that the consumer needs to be inspired from the moment they enjoy the aroma, liquor and taste of the tea and can celebrate in the plant’s personality, the origin of the tea, the care that has been taken in the processing and brewing of it; this being a speciality moment.

European Speciality Tea Association joins in growing an inspirational community, supporting the movement which promotes speciality tea and improving the quality of tea consumed. Speciality tea exists through the dedication of people at all levels of the tea value chain. We respect and support the person plucking the leaves, the person producing the tea to the consumer brewing the tea. Each person who touches the tea until it is finally sipped can affect the final cup and our aim is to support this and share knowledge that will improve the tea industry.

European Specialty Tea Association strives to value, support and promote the people who have this dedication and who are involved and passionate in providing perfection in every cup.

We value all of the above when considering what is speciality tea and we welcome like-minded people and or affiliates to join us in our quest for tea excellence at every level.

In summary ESTA supports and promotes speciality tea (Camellia sinensis), the community and the movement. We also support the botanical sector as an inclusive part of our organisation due to its extensive synergy within the tea industry and with tea lovers and professionals.

We are a dynamic organisation, we are aspirational for speciality tea, and we aim to have a positive impact on the wellbeing of all sectors of the tea industry. 

Listen to some of the thinking behind the creation of our new definition of Speciality Tea from David Veal speaking on a pod cast originally published by Tea Biz. Click here