Tea Biz

Dan Bolton
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The Voice of Tea Lands | Tea Journey Magazine, founded in 2015, and the Tea Biz Blog | Podcast are favorites of tea enthusiasts and professionals worldwide. Content is authentic, timely, and exclusive, a collaborative effort that enlists 40 voices skilled in 12 languages to tell the story of tea. Coverage spans tea discovery and preparation to tea tourism, lifestyles, health and wellness, meditation, culinary tea with recipes, and terroir. Our business coverage offers insights for commercial producers supported by rich market data and scientifically backed research. Transparency is rooted in authentic storytelling, featuring nuanced articles about the places and people who passionately live a life in tea. As a niche publication, Tea Journey relies on reader contributions for most of its income. Please consider donating to support the writers and staff who bring you our unique tea content from around the globe. We appreciate your support. In 2025, we teamed up with our good friends at OverSubscribe, a platform that lets our fans make real financial investments in our future. By contributing as little as $25 to Tea Journey, you’re not just supporting our publication—you’re joining a lively global community and earning a return on your investment. | https://teajourney.oversub.me/

  1. Tea Price Report | Week 5 | Ending 30 January 2026

    6 FEB

    Tea Price Report | Week 5 | Ending 30 January 2026

    Week 5 tea markets closed on a steady-to-selective note as buyers continued to prioritize prompt coverage rather than extending forward positions. Overall, price discovery remained firmly quality-led, underscoring that invoice-level differentiation—not headline averages—continues to define current market outcomes. | In Colombo (Sri Lanka) | Demand was fair to good for featured leaf grades, with selective bidding for secondary descriptions. Exporter offerings remained disciplined, reinforcing quality-led clearance across high- and mid-grown catalogues. Prices averaged USD 3.15/kg (Week 5) | DOWN FROM USD 3.17/kg (Week 4). In Kolkata / North India | Buying activity remained largely functional and contract-driven, with limited speculative participation. Assam CTC liquidity grades continued to anchor price discovery, while plainer teas saw softer realizations. Prices averaged USD 2.02/kg (Week 5) | DOWN FROM USD 2.06/kg (Week 4). In Mombasa (East Africa) | Buyer participation remained broad, with competition intensifying for quality invoices. Large volumes cleared with wide intra-sale dispersion, reflecting selective bidding rather than generalized strength. Prices averaged USD 2.21/kg (Week 5) | UP FROM USD 2.17/kg (Week 4) Indonesia | Auction activity remained secondary to direct sales, with selective interest in specialty and improvement lots. Pricing reflected cautious, contract-led demand rather than spot-driven buying behavior. Prices averaged USD 1.18/kg (Week 5) | DOWN FROM USD 1.24/kg (Week 4). | Podlink signup: https://pod.link/1549975153 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/tea-biz/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    3 min
  2. Spotlight | Chalu: Bringing the Tea Road to the Modern Table

    6 FEB

    Spotlight | Chalu: Bringing the Tea Road to the Modern Table

    In this SPOTLIGHT conversation, Fraser Kennedy shares the story behind Chalu, a Yunnan-based tea brand built on a simple yet demanding principle: let the tea speak. From cold-brewing single-origin teas to layering structure with local Yunnan oak, natural carbonation, and minimal intervention, Kennedy explains how Chalu was designed not as a flavored beverage but as a tea-forward alternative to wine—crafted for restaurants navigating the global shift toward low- and no-alcohol menus. Grounded in Yunnan’s geography, history, and the ancient Tea Road itself, this discussion connects innovation with restraint, showing how respect for origin, process, and flavor can create a new drinking occasion—without compromising what makes tea, tea. | BIO | Originally trained as a brewer, Fraser Kennedy brings a deep understanding of fermentation, structure, and mouthfeel to tea—applying brewing discipline to preserve, rather than mask, tea’s natural character. After relocating to Yunnan in the early 2010s, he immersed himself in the region’s tea landscapes and traditions, developing a mission to share Yunnan’s flavor with the world. Chalu—named for the ancient Tea Road—cold-brews single-origin teas sourced directly from producers, finishing them with minimal, locally rooted elements to create a structured,wine-adjacent tea experience suitable for Michelin-level tables. Kennedy’s work sits at the intersection of tea tradition and contemporary beverage innovation, reflecting a broader shift toward authenticity, provenance, and tea-first thinking in global RTD and hospitality markets. | Podlink signup: https://pod.link/1549975153 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/tea-biz/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    23 min
  3. Tea News Recap | India-EU Trade Deal | Logistics Risk | Sustainability as Access

    6 FEB

    Tea News Recap | India-EU Trade Deal | Logistics Risk | Sustainability as Access

    India–EU Trade Deal: Opportunity and Compliance Test for Tea | Container Reliability, Not Price, Is Now Tea’s Real Risk | Sustainability Shifts from Branding to Market Access in Tea | Podlink signup: https://pod.link/1549975153 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/tea-biz/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    8 min
  4. Ep 233 | India-EU Trade Deal | Logistics Risk | Sustainability as Access

    6 FEB

    Ep 233 | India-EU Trade Deal | Logistics Risk | Sustainability as Access

    India–EU Trade Deal: Opportunity and Compliance Test for Tea | Container Reliability, Not Price, Is Now Tea’s Real Risk | Sustainability Shifts from Branding to Market Access in Tea NEWSMAKER – Fraser Kennedy, Founder of Chalu Sparkling Tea PLUS | Real Tea, Real Craft: Why Tea Is Ready for the Modern Table | This week on the Tea Biz Podcast, we’re joined by Fraser Kennedy, founder of Chalu, from Yunnan, China. Chalu is a producer redefining what “real tea” can look like in the fast-growing non-alcoholic and restaurant beverage space. As RTD tea expands globally—often diluted by flavorings, powders, and shortcuts—Chalu takes a different path: starting with single-origin Yunnan tea, cold-brewed to preserve aroma and structure, then finished with the restraint and precision more often associated with fine wine. In this conversation, we explore why tea—not botanicals, not sugar, not branding tricks—is emerging as the most credible base for premium non-alcoholic beverages, and why authenticity, provenance, and process matter more than ever as tea enters Michelin-level dining rooms and global distribution. | Podlink signup: https://pod.link/1549975153 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/tea-biz/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    39 min
  5. Tea Price Report | Week 3 | Ending 19 Jan 2026

    23 JAN

    Tea Price Report | Week 3 | Ending 19 Jan 2026

    Tea markets closed the third trading week of 2026 on a steady-to-firm note as buyers prioritized near-term coverage against structurally constrained supply. Auction price discovery remained quality-led across major origins, with Colombo supported by exporter demand for high-grown teas, Assam liquidity grades set the direction in North India, and Mombasa prices held within narrow bands despite buyer selectivity. Exporter resistance remained evident as currency and input costs reinforced price floors. | Podlink signup: https://pod.link/1549975153 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/tea-biz/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    2 min
  6. Spotlight | The 2025 Leafies Awards

    23 JAN

    Spotlight | The 2025 Leafies Awards

    Over five days last October, James Suranga, executive director of the International Tea Committee, served on an expert panel of judges that evaluated hundreds of entries from across the tea lands, recognizing excellence in flavor, innovation, and sustainable practices. The 2025 edition of The Leafies, the international awards celebrating artisan tea excellence, concluded this week with an awards program in London, followed by public tastings at Fortnum & Mason. Launched in 2022 by the UK Tea Academy in partnership with Fortnum & Mason, The Leafies attracted hundreds of entries from tea makers across Asia, Africa, and Europe. All teas were blind-tasted by an expert judging panel, with awards recognizing flavor quality, craftsmanship, innovation, and sustainable practices. Winning teas earn The Leafies’ prestige mark—now a recognized signal of excellence—and several will be displayed at Fortnum & Mason’s Rare Tea Counter. More than trophies, The Leafies continue to connect education, terroir, and global tea craftsmanship on a single, credible platform. BIO: James Suranga is a senior global tea executive and head of the International Tea Committee, overseeing industry data, analysis, and policy engagement. A respected judge and speaker, he brings deep expertise in tea markets, production economics, and international trade dynamics. He holds a master's degree in marketing from Edith Cowan University. | Podlink signup: https://pod.link/1549975153 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/tea-biz/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    8 min
  7. Tea News Recap |Tea Logistics is Still Not Normal | Mombasa Opens Strong | Taiwan’s 7-Eleven Tea Bars Scale Up

    23 JAN

    Tea News Recap |Tea Logistics is Still Not Normal | Mombasa Opens Strong | Taiwan’s 7-Eleven Tea Bars Scale Up

    Red Sea Routing Volatility Returns: Why Tea Logistics Is Still Not Normal | East Africa Opens 2026 Strong as Bids Reward Premiumization | Taiwan’s 500 7-Eleven Tea Bars Scale Up | Podlink signup: https://pod.link/1549975153 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/tea-biz/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    7 min
  8. Ep 232 | Tea Logistics is Still Not Normal | Mombasa Opens Strong | Taiwan’s 7-Eleven Tea Bars Scale Up

    23 JAN

    Ep 232 | Tea Logistics is Still Not Normal | Mombasa Opens Strong | Taiwan’s 7-Eleven Tea Bars Scale Up

    Red Sea Routing Volatility Returns: Why Tea Logistics Is Still Not Normal | East Africa Opens 2026 Strong as Bids Reward Premiumization | Taiwan’s 500 7-Eleven Tea Bars Scale Up NEWSMAKER – James Suranga, Executive Director, International Tea Committee PLUS | The 2025 Leafies Awards | The 2025 Leafies Awards—an international showcase for artisan teas—drew the tea world’s attention to London this week. Judges awarded 21 Gold, 52 Highly Commended, and 9 Special Awards, recognizing excellence not only in flavor but also in innovation, craftsmanship, and alignment with sustainable practices. Following the awards, winning teas were presented to the public at Fortnum & Mason, underscoring the growing connection between craftsmanship at origin and premium retail at destination. | Joining us today is James Suranga, Head of the International Tea Committee. James participated in tastings and judging of 411 teas entered by producers and tea makers from around the world. He discusses which teas stood out, how standards are evolving, and what this year’s results signal for producers and specialty tea markets worldwide. | Podlink signup: https://pod.link/1549975153 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/tea-biz/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    22 min
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About

The Voice of Tea Lands | Tea Journey Magazine, founded in 2015, and the Tea Biz Blog | Podcast are favorites of tea enthusiasts and professionals worldwide. Content is authentic, timely, and exclusive, a collaborative effort that enlists 40 voices skilled in 12 languages to tell the story of tea. Coverage spans tea discovery and preparation to tea tourism, lifestyles, health and wellness, meditation, culinary tea with recipes, and terroir. Our business coverage offers insights for commercial producers supported by rich market data and scientifically backed research. Transparency is rooted in authentic storytelling, featuring nuanced articles about the places and people who passionately live a life in tea. As a niche publication, Tea Journey relies on reader contributions for most of its income. Please consider donating to support the writers and staff who bring you our unique tea content from around the globe. We appreciate your support. In 2025, we teamed up with our good friends at OverSubscribe, a platform that lets our fans make real financial investments in our future. By contributing as little as $25 to Tea Journey, you’re not just supporting our publication—you’re joining a lively global community and earning a return on your investment. | https://teajourney.oversub.me/

Information

  • Creator
    Dan Bolton
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    442
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2022 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Tea Biz