“What’s Brewing?” is a World Tea News round-up of recent happenings, news and factoids from the global tea industry.
Here’s what’s notable:
Duralex Presents Stackable Mugs for Cheese Foam Tea
Duralex, the French glassware maker known for Picardie tumblers, announced its Empilable (French for stackable) mug for Cheese Foam Tea, which is gaining popularity. Cheese Foam Tea is made with cold black or green tea that;s topped with a foamy layer of milk, cream cheese and a sprinkle of salt. The new clear glass mug shows off the colors and swirls of this trending beverage blending a little auberge French style with the Asian-inspired beverage.
Duralex invented a tempering process that toughens up their Empilable glassware to withstand daily wear and tear, and the stackability and strength of the mugs make them versatile for both hot and cold beverages.
Duralex is also offering a basic Cheese Foam Tea recipe that can be made at home with just a few ingredients. The recipe can be found on the Duralex USA Facebook page.
To learn more, visit DuralexUSA.com.
Meet the SCA Coffee Directory
The Specialty Coffee Association introduced a new resource: the SCA Coffee Directory, a digital platform connecting coffee companies in the global coffee industry (tea is also included in the directory).
The association says that with so many in-person trade shows and community events on hold due to the continuing pandemic, coffee and tea businesses have found it difficult to connect with one another. As an online portal, the SCA Coffee Directory is designed to help companies reach the SCA’s vast global network of professionals. Buyers can search company listings for products and services from various categories and by location, and sellers can boost their visibility to their audience by listing their company.
To visit the platform to see all listings, and to learn more about it, visit directory.sca.coffee. At press time, more than 100 tea companies were listed in the directory. The site offers a free listing and well as options to upgrade a listing.
Matcha & Hojicha Flavored Konpeito Launches in the United States
Konpeito – a traditional Japanese candy with more than 400 years of history – will now be available to customers across the United States from the company’s website.
Konpeito is usually handmade with the seasoned sense and extensive experience of skilled confectioners. It is made by repeatedly rolling sugar around in a pot and spraying it with coats of syrup until it gradually takes on a slightly spiky star shape. It is also coated with generous amounts of Yame and Hojicha tea to produce the cute kiddy treat, which has been reborn with sophisticated flavor notes that adults will love.
While speaking about the launch, Hironori Harano, the CEO of the company said that they produce each of the Konpeito with great attention to detail to give the consumer the best product. “Indeed, every piece is the product of a seasoned confectioner's hard work, keen sense and extensive experience. These carefully crafted jewels are coated generously with Yame matcha to turn a children's treat into a sophisticated delicacy. Mixed in the sweetness are the bitter and aromatic notes of the matcha – a gift sure to delight.”
Matcha and Hojicha Flavored Konpeito can be served with tea or on its own, and it also makes a nice topping for desserts or ice cream.
For inquiries, please contact: Global brand Inc. / JAPAN.
White Claw Introduces Hard Seltzer Iced Tea
White Claw introduced its Hard Seltzer Iced Tea – a hard seltzer iced tea made with sustainably sourced brewed tea. White Claw Hard Seltzer Iced Tea is crafted using a unique BrewPure process, sustainably sourced brewed tea and fine flavors.
White Claw noted that with the better-for-you tea category growing at a rapid pace, so the fusion of tea with hard seltzer was the perfect combo to satisfy tea lovers and hard seltzer drinkers alike.
“Since its inception in 2016, White Claw has seen incredible growth, and we don't plan to stop anytime soon,” said John Shea, chief marketing officer, White Claw Hard Seltzer, North America. “Our consumers crave more flavor and more variety, and that's just what we're delivering with White Claw Hard Seltzer Iced Tea. You combine the leader in hard seltzer with the ever-growing tea trend, and you've got a winner.”
White Claw Hard Seltzer Iced Tea comes in a 12-can variety pack with four popular tea flavors – Lemon, Raspberry, Mango and Peach.
To learn more, visit WhiteClaw.com.
Masq Hard Tea Launches All-Natural, Superfood-Based Tea Beverage
“Who needs another flavored seltzer?” asked Masq. The company announced that it’s delivering a "better way to drink for health-conscious consumers." More than just flavored alcohol water, Masq said it uses an organic yerba mate base, organic superfoods for flavor, organic blue agave and organic monk fruit to a slightly sweetened and herbal adaptogen blend.
The difference between Masq and other alcohol products on the market, the company said, is the quality ingredients.
Masq is a four percent ABV, organic, all-natural hard tea that is lightly carbonated, smooth on the palate and easy to drink. It is certified gluten-free and vegan. Masq is offered in three flavors – Lemon-Ginger, Dragon Fruit-Acai and Blueberry-Lavender – all in four-pack 12 oz cans for a suggested retail price of $9.99.
Masq launched in Florida (Breathru Beverage), North Carolina (Johnson Brothers-Mutual Distributing), Georgia (Empire Distributing), Tennessee (Athens Distributing), West Virginia (Mountain State Beverage) and Michigan (Imperial Distributing).
To learn more, visit DrinkMasq.com.