Steeping Together

On this week’s SEASON FINALE, guest Sanaya El Sayad spills all the tea by answering your most asked questions!For a complete transcript of this episode visit davidstea.comTo shop our website and discover your next favourite tea click hereAbout the guest: Sanaya El SayadSanaya has been working at DAVIDsTEA for over 10 years now. She initially started as a seasonal hire in-store while working towards a history degree at McGill University. Although she was passionate about her field of study, tea became somewhat of a calling she just couldn’t ignore. She began working at our Head Office in Montreal, where she eventually became the Senior Director of Buying, Tea & Product. Her passion for tea—and sharing it with others—made her an integral part of the team. In fact, Sanaya often has the final say on which teas are released into the world. Cool, huh? She’s also traveled with DAVIDsTEA to visit the beautiful tea gardens of Sri Lanka and had the opportunity to work on a water impact project in Kenya. Fun fact: Sanaya’s love of tasting and experiencing new things extends to her love of trying new restaurants and sipping natural wines!

This week, we’re talking to Chantrelle Edwards, founder and CEO of Hella Tea, all about POC representation in the tea community.Today's episode is brought to you by Glitter & Gold About the guest: Chantrelle Edwards  Chantrelle Edwards is the founder and CEO of Hella Tea. While growing up in Oakland, California, drinking tea was always an escape for her when life got tough. From losing her 17-year-old brother to gun violence to becoming a mother at a young age, she was determined to beat the odds. In 2007, Chantrelle decided to start her first tea business, Raised Pinky Teas, whose target market was children and women’s groups. One day, while seeking help from a marketing professional, she was challenged to adjust her branding strategy. After much thought, prayer and reflection on her life experiences and interest, Hella Tea was born. Hella Tea specializes in artisanal tea blends that pay homage to the diverse population of the Bay Area and its hip hop culture. When Chantrelle isn’t sipping tea (or thinking of clever tea puns!), she enjoys skating, attending concerts, family gatherings, giving back through community outreach and taking spontaneous road trips to Napa and Monterey.  To learn more about Hella Tea click hereFor a complete transcript of this episode visit davidstea.com

This week, our guests Celia & Kelly discuss sweetener in tea—from the ones you add before you sip to those already built into your favourite blends.For a complete transcript of this episode visit davidstea.comTo shop our website and discover your next favourite tea click hereAbout the guests: Celia Aceae & Kelly MillerCelia Aceae Celia’s obsession with tea began as soon as she could sip. Motivated by her love of plants (and insatiable curiosity), Celia studied conservation and natural resource compliance at Lethbridge College in Alberta. She went on to obtain a Red Seal in horticulture from the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture, and currently works as a Tea, Herb & Sustainability Specialist at DAVIDsTEA. But we’re not done yet! Celia has also completed an additional bachelor’s degree of Science in Horticulture, basically proving that her love of tea and plants is no passing fancy. With an encyclopedic knowledge of plants and their various impacts on individuals as well as the planet, Celia has committed most of her time to the proliferation of tea and plant knowledge. As a trained Tea Sommelier, she brings joy to those around her by sharing a cup of tea with anyone and everyone, at any time. Fun fact: she lived in Japan for three months studying matcha production and the Japanese tea ceremony, so quiz her, she loves it!Kelly MillerKelly Miller has been tea obsessed for nearly a decade. What is the source of her obsession, you ask? It all started when Kelly visited a DAVIDsTEA store for the first time to buy a gift for a friend. Intrigued by our Birthday Cake tea, she gave it a quick sip. And just like that Kelly, the tea sommelier, was born. THAC (Tea and Herbal Association of Canada) Certified, Kelly currently works as the Research & Development Lead at the DAVIDsTEA headquarters. Her generous and exploratory nature makes her an indispensable member of the team as she continuously pushes for new flavour innovations. Since her first introduction to the world of tea, she has tried over 10,000 teas AND her personal collection exceeds 1,500 unique teas and blends! 

We invited Research & Innovation expert, Dr. Robert Sobel, to help us unpack what natural and artificial flavouring really means.Today's episode is brought to you by S'mores Chaiabout the guest: Dr. Robert Sobel Dr. Sobel began his career in the flavour industry at McCormick FONA (Flavors of North America) in 1999. Over the years, he has taught general chemistry, quantitative chemical analysis and instrumental analysis and published manuscripts in Analytical Chemical Acta, The Journal of Chemical Education and Perfumer & Flavorist. He received a B.S. in Chemistry from Northern Illinois University, his M.A. in Educational Leadership from Aurora University and his Ph.D. in chemistry from Northern Illinois University. As the current Vice President of Research & Innovation at McCormick FONA , Dr. Sobel directs technology and innovation efforts for new and novel flavour encapsulation delivery systems. If there’s anyone who can unpack the complexity of flavouring, it’s him!To learn more about the world of flavour innovation, listen to McCormick FONA's Flavor University PodcastFor a complete transcript of this episode visit davidstea.com

Who says tea is only for drinking? This week, returning guest Nadia De La Vega talks to us about how to integrate tea into your everyday cooking and which ones are the best to cook with! For a complete transcript of this episode visit davidstea.comTo shop our website and discover your next favourite tea click hereabout the guest: Nadia De La VegaNadia De La Vega's tea journey has been anything but linear. Growing up in Mexico, tea was not a common beverage... but luckily for Nadia, her mother would brew black loose leaf tea every morning. She completed her science degree in Montreal, where she developed an affinity for food pairing and recipe development. Joining the DAVIDsTEA family in 2012 (and we are SO glad she did!), she put her superpowers to use to help develop tea-based recipes. As the Director of Tea Sustainability and Content at DAVIDsTEA, Nadia and her team primarily oversee sustainability initiatives and tea knowledge across the brand while ensuring all tea information is authentic, fun and relatable. You can normally find her drinking a cup of Orange Pekoe or Organic Jasmine Black Pearls, while working on impact initiatives and indulging in some serious tea talk!

For many, meditation is key to maintaining a sense of balance in their life. But it’s not as easy as it seems. We talk to yoga and mindfulness instructor—and tea enthusiast—Sara Gallagher Bloom to discuss the benefits of meditation and how tea can fit into your routine.   Today's episode is brought to you by Organic Serenity Nowabout the guest: Sara Gallagher BloomSara Gallagher Bloom has been teaching yoga, movement and mindful practices for close to 20 years. Her yoga journey began with hot yoga in Montreal, with a group of friends that eventually formed the studio known today as Modo Yoga. She’s certified in Katonah and Kundalini Yoga, has mentored countless new yoga teachers and has led workshops for many styles of practice around the globe. You may know her from her Montreal studio, Morpho Bleu. Today, not only is she a studio owner, she’s also a yoga teacher, a community leader, a mother, a meditation teacher and a spiritual guide. Her mission is to empower humans to develop their mind and body through yoga and meditation practices—no matter where they are on their journey!To learn more about Sara and her work, click hereFor a complete transcript of this episode visit davidstea.com

And the spotlight goes to… mmm matcha! This week, we’re diving deep into the creamy, energizing & traditional world of matcha with none other than our four-time returning guest, Celia.For a complete transcript of this episode visit davidstea.comTo shop our website and discover your next favourite tea click here about the guest: Celia AceaeCelia’s obsession with tea began as soon as she could sip. Motivated by her love of plants (and insatiable curiosity), Celia studied conservation and natural resource compliance at Lethbridge College in Alberta. She went on to obtain a Red Seal in horticulture from the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture, and currently works as a Tea and Sustainability Specialist at DAVIDsTEA. But we’re not done yet! Celia has also completed an additional bachelor’s degree of Science in Horticulture, basically proving that her love of tea and plants is no passing fancy. With an encyclopedic knowledge of plants and their various impacts on individuals as well as the planet, Celia has committed most of her time to the proliferation of tea and plant knowledge. As a trained Tea Sommelier, she brings joy to those around her by sharing a cup of tea with anyone and everyone, at any time. Fun fact: she lived in Japan for three months studying matcha production and the Japanese tea ceremony, so quiz her, she loves it!

We have invited Victor Yu, of the Random Cuisine Blog, to walk us through the latest tea flavoured trends brewing all around us. Find out about the latest and greatest in tea beverages, desserts and beyond!Today's episode is brought to you by Organic Hojicha about the guest: Victor Yu of @randomcuisineVictor Yu is the food writer behind the Instagram @randomcuisine. But he has a wide range of interests and creative pursuits. He successfully defended his PhD thesis in 2018 at McGill University in Montreal, where he studied the quantum regime of 2D materials at absolute zero temperature. After an immense contribution to the field of science, Victor closed the chapter of academic research, and now works as a digital and social media strategist for Nourish Food Marketing, a Toronto-based food agency representing some of the largest food brands in Canada. Victor is always on the lookout for the next exciting food and flavour pairing trend and loves learning about food cultures from around the world. In his free time, he gives food tours of Chinatown in Montreal on Airbnb Experiences and helps promote small businesses and local restaurants through his Instagram.To learn more about Random Cuisine click hereFor a complete transcript of this episode visit davidstea.com

In our longest mini episode to date, we take a deep dive—or at least a shallow dip—into all things caffeine in tea. Returning guests Nadia & Celia help unpack the not so simple topic that’s on the minds of many tea lovers. For a complete transcript of this episode visit davidstea.comTo shop our website and discover your next favourite tea click here About the Guests:Nadia De La VegaNadia De La Vega's tea journey has been anything but linear. Growing up in Mexico, tea was not a common beverage... but luckily for Nadia, her mother would brew black loose leaf tea every morning. She completed her science degree in Montreal, where she developed an affinity for food pairing and recipe development. Joining the DAVIDsTEA family in 2012 (and we are SO glad she did!), she put her superpowers to use to help develop tea-based recipes. As the Director of Tea Sustainability and Content at DAVIDsTEA, Nadia and her team primarily oversee sustainability initiatives and tea knowledge across the brand while ensuring all tea information is authentic, fun and relatable. You can normally find her drinking a cup of Orange Pekoe or Organic Jasmine Black Pearls, while working on impact initiatives and indulging in some serious tea talk! Celia AceaeCelia’s obsession with tea began as soon as she could sip. Motivated by her love of plants (and insatiable curiosity), Celia studied conservation and natural resource compliance at Lethbridge College in Alberta. She went on to obtain a Red Seal in horticulture from the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture, and currently works as a Tea, Herb & Sustainability Specialist at DAVIDsTEA. But we’re not done yet! Celia has also completed an additional bachelor’s degree of Science in Horticulture, basically proving that her love of tea and plants is no passing fancy. With an encyclopedic knowledge of plants and their various impacts on individuals as well as the planet, Celia has committed most of her time to the proliferation of tea and plant knowledge. As a trained Tea Sommelier, she brings joy to those around her by sharing a cup of tea with anyone and everyone, at any time. Fun fact: she lived in Japan for three months studying matcha production and the Japanese tea ceremony, so quiz her, she loves it!

Want to learn how to pair teas and impress your guests next time you invite them over? Well, let Kevin Gascoyne give you the rundown on all things tea pairings! Today's episode is brought to you by our Garden to Cup Collection Kevin Gascoyne: about the guestTea has been running through Kevin’s veins since he was a kid. Born in Yorkshire in the North of England, his interest in tea grew in his teen years after backpacking through the Himalayas, where he first tasted fresh leaf tea straight from the source. A true lifelong obsession was born! He started writing about Darjeeling tea and buying small amounts of rare tea to re-sell, mostly to fund his own passion for tea. He registered his first company, “Kyela Teas” in the early 1990s and then met Hugo, François and Jasmin in their quirky teahouse. Their mutual interest in all things tea fuelled a strong friendship and they merged their two companies in 2004. The Camellia Sinensis Tea House was born. When he’s not busy on his quest for Darjeeling’s finest leaf, you can find Kevin giving lectures on tea all over the world and is involved in many projects dealing with consulting, publication and trade development. And, of course, he still does what he does best—drinks tons of tea! To learn more about the Camellia Sinensis teahouse click hereFor a complete transcript of this episode visit davidstea.com