From time to time we will interview businesses that have something nice to offer those who enjoy afternoon tea. 

From time to time we interview our advertisers to share some more information about them.  Everyone has a great story about how they started their business. 

This month we are interviewing Joe Simrany, President of The Tea Association of the USA.

INTERVIEW WITH JOE SIMRANY, TEA ASSOC. OF USA

July, 2008 www.theteahousetimes.com

This month we are interviewing Joe Simrany, President of the Tea Association of the USA.  The tea industry looks to the Tea Association of the USA, Inc, The Tea Council of the USA and the Specialty Tea Institute (STI) to protect the best interests of tea businesses and aid in building overall economic success in the industry.  The Association develops positive marketing and media impressions and helps to protect the vitality of the industry.

GAIL/THE TEA HOUSE TIMES: Joe, the Specialty Tea Institute recently held its first graduation ceremony for students who have completed the series of courses to achieve Certified Tea Professional status.  I would like to talk about that a little, but first, please provide a quick overview of the Tea Assoc. of the USA and Tea Council.

JOE SIMRANY/TEA ASSOC. OF THE USA:  The Tea Association at 108 years old is one of the first trade Associations in the country and the leading voice for the Tea Industry in the USA.  The Tea Association of the U.S.A., Inc. is comprised of companies who are dedicated to the interests and growth of the U.S. tea industry.  

The Tea Council was first formed in 1950 and later restructured in 1953 as a joint partnership between major tea packers, importers and allied industries within the United States and tea producers in India, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. More recently, Malawi and Kenya have also become full members of the Tea Council.   The Tea Council functions as the public relations/education arm for the tea industry by promoting tea consumption.

As a result of a recent organizational change, all members of the Tea Association are automatically members of the Tea Council. The primary focus of the Tea Council is the furtherance of tea science and the establishment of tea as a healthy beverage.

GAIL/THE TEA HOUSE TIMES:  What is The Specialty Tea Institute? 

JOE SIMRANY/TEA ASSOC. OF THE USA:  The Specialty Tea Institute was formed on July 8, 2002. It is an amalgamation of its two parent organizations; the American Premium Tea Institute (APTI) and the Specialty Tea Registry (ST*R), each created to promote a better understanding and consumption of high quality teas.  The Specialty Tea Institute operates under the non-profit auspices of The Tea Association of the USA, Inc.   The mission of the Specialty Tea Institute is to promote awareness and consumption of Specialty and Premium teas by providing an educational forum, resources and education about quality tea for members, the trade, the media, and consumers.

STI functions as the recognized voice of the specialty and premium tea industry, and interacts with other national and international trade, consumer, governmental, non-government, and other groups to further the cause of quality teas worldwide.  STI sponsors a wide spectrum of geographically dispersed programs to promote the appreciation, consumption, knowledge and sale of specialty and premium teas.

GAIL/THE TEA HOUSE TIMES:  What courses are offered through STI?

JOE SIMRANY/TEA ASSOC. OF THE USA:  Foundations of Tea Level I, Foundations of Tea Level II, and Level III Professional Series comprising Black Teas, Oolong Teas, Sensory Evaluation, Green Teas, White & Pu'erh Teas.  Full class descriptions are available at www.teausa.com 

GAIL/THE TEA HOUSE TIMES:  Who takes these courses?  Why?

JOE SIMRANY/TEA ASSOC. OF THE USA:

The courses are taken by entrepreneurs seeking to establish specialty tea business and wanting to learn as much about the industry as possible.  Also by employees of “old line” tea companies wanting to learn more about the beverage that they are committed to producing, marketing, or selling.  Recently we have had many students from the supermarket side of the business who are seeking to maximize the profit potential of specialty tea.

GAIL/THE TEA HOUSE TIMES:  Does one need to be a member of the Association to enroll in STI programs?

JOE SIMRANY/TEA ASSOC. OF THE USA:  No but because of discounts offered to members and if there is a desire to take multiple courses then it makes financial sense to become a member prior to enrolling in the program.

GAIL/THE TEA HOUSE TIMES:  Tell us about the recent graduation ceremony for STI.

JOE SIMRANY/TEA ASSOC. OF THE USA:  At a special celebration held in New York City at the Millennium Broadway Hotel, the Specialty Tea Institute (STI) recognized the first group of tea professionals to complete its' Level Three Tea Certification Program.  A total of 15 students graduated from the program after completing a series of foundation and advanced courses requiring a total of 80-100 hours of class and study time.  Each student was awarded the title of Certified Tea Professional (CTP) and received a “diploma”.  It was an emotional moment for the students and instructors because of the strong bonds that were formed during this learning process.  They were justifiably proud of their achievements and eager to move on to the next level of the program.

GAIL/THE TEA HOUSE TIMES: Thank you Joe!

Tea consumption is on the upswing in the United States and there is much evidence that this trend will increase momentum as a result of many factors including, the numerous scientific studies linking tea to a great many health benefits.  Let the Tea Assoc. of the USA and Specialty Tea Institute help your company take advantage of these tremendous marketing and profit opportunities.   

CONTACT

For more information, membership details, STI Certification course schedules, industry news, and more, please visit www.teausa.com

Tea Association
Tea Council
Specialty Tea Institute (STI)

Suite 801, 362 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10001
Tel: 212-986-9415    Fax: 212-697-8658    E-mail: info@teausa.com

Enjoy all your *Tea House Times*

Lady Gayle

Copyright © 2008 The Tea House Times™

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