Each year, the UK Tea Academy, in partnership with Fortum & Mason, comes together to recognize and celebrate the world’s finest loose-leaf teas, and brings primary tea producers exposure to a global tea focused market. While the competition primarily focuses on tea growers and tea producers, this year’s contest also allowed for submissions of blended teas, where tea retailers could showcase their blends for judging.

“We are very excited to announce that we submitted two of our house-made tea blends, and that one of them received a “Highly Commended” recognition from the judges,” states Kelly Hackman, owner and tea sommelier of The White Heron Tea & Gifts and Driftwood Tea Company, from New Port Richey, Florida. “We are very excited to have our tea be recognized with such a prestigious designation, and even more excited that it came from great leaders in

the tea industry.”