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Highlighting Tea
Speciality Tea BSA Member

Described &

Defined

Using the Cambridge 5S* system, a
speciality tea is one that scores a minimum
of 10 points on the 25-point scale and has
a proven impact story.

These are teas well above mainstream
quality, premium or even luxury. They
are selected for their exceptional
aroma, taste, appearance, and impact
& terrior.
More than that, the speciality tea
movement encompasses the LOOK
philosophy, deep love and inspiration Leaf and experience
that creates an elevated experience
throughout the tea journey from crop 5S* Quality EXPERIENCE/TASTE
nurturing to cup preparation, & Impact Aroma, Flavour, Texture
presentation and enjoyment. Articulation and finish
Speciality teas include all types made
from the tea plant as well as botanicals CONSUMER
and infusions. FACING FEEL

What makes the offering special is that Doing good impact
it is grown and made, selected and
crafted and served with the highest In addition to the visual and in-cup
degree of quality, expertise, passion quality assessment, teas are also
and care. assessed for terroir and impact to

complete the speciality consumer
So, I took it upon myself to describe and expectation check and assurance.
define Speciality teas as a starting point
While I am not the industry
At the time, I was blissfully unaware of the
SCA scale. Believe it or not, I wasn't a spokesperson or authority on
standards, I have tried to guide
complete non-coffee person. However, it
is not surprising that I developed a very things in a way that helps consumers
navigate the murky waters of teas
similar concept for tea.
known as "speciality teas".
Based on five consumer-led desirable
attributes of tea, the Cambridge 5* System In mainstream tea assessment, we
is a 25-point scale that grades all teas into focus on expert tasting. For
five categories: Leaf, Flavour (including speciality teas, I chose to focus on
aroma), Cup appearance, Texture, and the consumer—what does she/he
Finish. desire in a fine tea?

MARCH/APRIL. 2025 | ISSUE 41