RTD tea news
Ellis Island Tropical Tea is authentically Jamaican
Reality show “Queen Boss,” which centers around female African-American entrepreneurs, chose tea maker Nailah Ellis-Brown as its first winner reports Crain’s. Centric TV’s reality show featured 18 contestants who were gradually eliminated over a three-month period. The judges raved about Ellis-Brown’s hibiscus tea and gave the $25,000 grand prize to her.
Ellis-Brown is from Detroit, but her award-winning hibiscus tea is based on her great-grandfather’s Jamaican family recipe. She is living her great-grandfather’s dream by making and selling the tea.
It all began with a $50 loan, and now her tea is produced in a 4,000-square-foot bottling plant. Ellis Island Tropical Tea is sold at Whole Foods Markets, The Hudson Café, Meijer stores and other retailers. By the end of March, the tea will be available in all Michigan Kroger stores. Ellis-Brown wants Ellis Island Tropical Tea to become a national brand within the next five years.
Teajava is now available in PET bottles
Responding to high consumer demand, Tejava unsweetened black tea will once again be available in
100 percent BPA-free, PET plastic recyclable bottles, Crystal Geyser Water Company announced via press release. It will continue to also be sold in 1-liter and 12-ounce glass bottles, too.
"They enjoy drinking it at home or at work in glass bottles, but they also want to take it on-the-go,” said Judy Yee, executive vice president of marketing and innovation. “With this more portable, convenient option, Tejava can go everywhere our customers go—in the car, at school, sporting events or concerts. The new plastic bottles are also perfect for places that don't allow glass bottles, such as pools and beaches." Tejava is made from tea leaves that are handpicked on the island of Java. Only the best leaves from the tops of the camellia sinensis plants are picked during the prime harvesting period from May to October. Furthermore, Tejava obtains its tea soley from Rainforest Alliance Certified plantations.
The new plastic bottles of Tejava are available at Costco locations in Northern California. They will soon become available in grocery stores in that region and online at Amazon.com.
Tejava has won first place in the North American Tea Championship five times.
Tea food news
Introducing Thai Tea Ice Cream 
Thai tea company Cha Tra Mue (Number One Tea) has introduced Thai tea flavored soft serve ice cream reports Coconuts Bangkok. Now people who like Thai tea and ice cream can have two of their favorite things blended into one delectable dessert.
Currently, this Thai tea ice cream is available at only two Bangkok locations: the Don Muang Airport and Terminal 21. It costs THB45 per cone or cup. So far, public feedback has been positive and the popularity of this new ice cream is expected to grow.