Many people are vocal about their love for coffee, but there are also people just as passionate about their daily cup of comforting tea.
A cup of tea presented at the right time can feel like a warm hug of compassion. Visiting a friend with a carefully curated tea cupboard is a delight. And for some, a quiet cup in the morning is the perfect way to start the day – and can even have health benefits.
All of these joys that tea brings will be celebrated by tea lovers at the Victoria Tea Festival Revival, on Oct. 5 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. inside Nootka Court.
Visitors can not only sample globally sourced teas but also connect with tea experts and families that produce them, all while expanding their education on the art and history of tea – topics which include Japanese tea traditions and tea hunting.
“This festival is a celebration of those who drink tea and want to enrich their lives, alongside those who wish to hone their tea-making skill,” said Jared Nyberg, International Tea Appreciation Society representative.
The 633 Courtney St. festival will also have live music, food, a tea symposium, a ceramics gallery, documentary screenings, and the World Tea Championship.
"The tea championship is a way to raise awareness for the traditional art of Gong Fu tea and to demystify the process for those new or interested in the world of Gong Fu," said Dyllan Goldstein, media outreach for the festival.
Gong Fu tea, sometimes called a "tea ceremony", means to make tea with skill and is a traditional Chinese tea preparation method.
"Deceptively simple, it is a process that can be learned in an afternoon but can take a lifetime of practice to master," Goldstein added.
International Tea Appreciation Society produces Victoria Tea Festival Revival which had more than 600 attendees last year.
The minimum suggested donation is $15-25, with more information available at victeafestrevival.org.
The event description notes "Bring Your Own Teacup (BYOTc)" because of course, visitors will want to fill that cup up over and over again.
