2012 Victoria Tea Festival

Every year more and more people attend Victoria's Annual Tea Festival. Every year the Victoria Tea Festival becomes more and more mainstream with an increasing amount of large tea companies taking up space on the floor. Also many non-tea exhibitors have managed to proliferate the conference floor. This is good and healthy because it indicates a more mainstream acceptance of tea, but has less to offer those who are truly serious about their tea.

Someone who has exhibited every year said that the Victoria Tea Festival has lost its small local feel and has become more corporate. However there are still some great returning small tea vendors that have stuck it out.

Here is a list of a few of these must see exhibitors that tea enthusiasts might want to check out this Saturday and Sunday at Crystal Gardens:

May Ip Gallery- Have a conversation with the charming grandma from Yunnan, it will make your day.

Chado Tea House- Peter and Fumi offer possibly some of the best Japanese tea at the Tea Festival served up in proper Japanese style. Compare their Japanese teas to the local favorites Silk Road and Jagasilk.

Jagasilk- Let Jared and Miyu serve you up some of the freshest matcha you will ever taste outside of Japan.

Silk Road- You won't be able to miss this local favorite, Michelle's booth is always beautifully decorated and the most interesting to explore.

Remember all proceeds go to charity so why not check it out anyways?

Peace