NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release Contact:
April 5, 2004 The Tea Chest
Byron Goo (808) 591-9400
byron@teachest.com
Original Blend Iced Tea Wins Award
“Best iced tea in America”
HONOLULU — The Original Blend Iced Tea of Hawaii-company The Tea Chest tied for first place in the Unflavored & Unsweetened category of the Iced Tea Competition recently held March 28-30 at the Take Me 2 Tea Expo in Las Vegas. A supplier for the company entered the tea in the competition.
“Original Blend Iced Tea has a richer, fuller flavor because it features noble Nilgiri black tea from India,” commented Byron Goo, owner of The Tea Chest. “These teas offer outstanding clarity, uplifting aroma and thirst quenching taste without bitter afterbite. It is the foundation upon which we’ve built all of our iced tea products.”
The 3-day competition highlighted different categories of Iced Tea including Unflavored & Unsweetened; Flavored & Unsweetened; Flavored & Sweetened; Chai; Iced Green Tea, and Exotic Iced Tea Drink. The numerous entries were judged on taste, visual appeal, aroma and “chugability”. Judging the competition were tea experts and industry dignitaries including US Tea Association President Joe Simrany.
The Iced Tea Competition, the first of its kind, was staged to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the popularization of Iced Tea.
Iced Tea was served at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair by plantation owner Richard Blechynden. Some say he invented it, others say he merely popularized an already “invented” beverage. Regardless of the controversy shrouding Mr. Blechyden, it is not in question that the iced tea he served at the 1904 World’s Fair was a huge hit and the beverage has become a mainstay in America cuisine.
