Eliot Jordan’s career in the tea industry began at Peet’s Coffee & Tea store in Berkeley, California, where he went from being a part-time employee to being a trainer and subsequently a tea purchaser, blender and buyer. During his tenure at Peet’s he introduced new teas and blends, such as Pride of the Port and Holiday Breakfast. In 2015, following Peet’s acquisition by Mighty Leaf Tea, Jordan became Mighty Leaf’s vice president and helped to enhance the company’s tea repertoire with the new Tea & Company, Wellness, and Origins lines.
- What sparked your interest in tea?
- How/where did you learn about tea?
- What are your criteria for judging the iced tea (i.e., quality, color, aroma, taste)?
- For how many years have you been judging this competition?
- Do you judge any other tea competitions?
- What do you hope to see in the competition this year?
- What kinds of teas do you usually drink, and why?
- Do you grow your own tea?