New Port Richey, Florida – A local tea sommelier has a new recognition to add to her already award-winning brand.  Kelly Hackman, the owner of The White Heron Tea & Gifts and Driftwood Tea Company in New Port Richey, Florida was alerted to her entry in the International Tea Academy’s annual Leafies Competition being chosen for a “Highly Commended” recognition from the judges.

Each year, the International Tea Academy, in partnership with Fortum & Mason, comes together to recognize and celebrate the world’s finest loose-leaf teas, bringing primary tea producers exposure to a globally focused tea market. While the competition primarily focuses on tea growers and tea producers, 2023’s contest also allowed for submissions of blended teas, where tea retailers could showcase their blends for judging.

“We are very excited to announce that we submitted two of our house-made tea blends and that our Lavender Vanilla White Tea received a “Highly Commended” recognition from the judges,” states Kelly Hackman, Owner and Tea Sommelier of The White Heron Tea & Gifts and Driftwood Tea Company, from New Port Richey, Florida. “We are honored to have our tea recognized with such a prestigious designation, and even more thrilled that it came from great leaders in the tea industry.”

Lavender Vanilla White Tea from Driftwood Tea Company in New Port Richey is awarded “Highly Commended” Designation in the 2023 International Leafie Tea Awards

The tea that Hackman blended, and that received the “highly commended” designation, was Driftwood Tea Company’s Lavender Vanilla White Tea. This tea’s profile says that it is a delicate and slightly floral white tea that combines creamy vanilla and hints of lavender, to provide a relaxing and light beverage. It boasts that it’s the perfect tea for warm afternoons in the garden, though Hackman states that this tea is really a perfect tea for any time, and anywhere because of its delicate nature. 

White tea is a lesser-known type that comes from the same camellia sinensis plant that more traditional black and green teas come from. White tea requires very little processing, which would cause one to think that it’s easier to tea for growers to make.

Hackman states that’s not really the case. “Because you aren’t processing the leaf, there is more room for error in the growers’ and producers’ ability to create consistency among different batches,” explains Hackman. “I also think that is one of the reasons I enjoy white tea so much, because of its delicate nature, but the ability to blend and flavor well.”

New Port Richey Tea Brand is the Only U.S. entry to be Recognized at Leafies

Just as exciting as receiving the “highly commended” designation for her tea blend, Hackman is honored that her tea was the only one to receive the “highly commended” designation from a US-based company.

“While we are excited that our tea blend was so well received by the judges, we are equally excited to be the only company to be recognized by this designation in the entire United States,” says Hackman. “We take great pride in representing the US tea market on the international stage, and showing the rest of the world that Driftwood Tea Company works with great tea.” 

According to the International Tea Academy, “A Highly Commended award at the International Tea Academy Awards, The Leafies, in partnership with Fortnum & Mason, is given to some of the highest-scoring, best-tasting teas within each category. Just 36 Highly Commended awards were presented across the 320 teas entered into this year’s competition.”

This is not the first time The White Heron Tea & Gifts has received international recognition for one of their tea blends. In 2019, the Luscious Loquat Green Tea received a silver medal in the Global Tea Championship. 

Kelly Hackman Offers Award-Winning Tea to Her Guests at The White Heron

“I really love working with teas, blending, and creating beautiful flavors for our guests to enjoy,” states Hackman. “As a self-proclaimed ‘foodie’, I have always loved putting together flavors.  Some of my tea blends take months, and occasionally a year or more, to find their perfect blend and balance. For me, it’s all about taking unique teas, such as white teas, and building on their natural beauty, to introduce flavors that evoke a beautiful experience while drinking it.”

To taste the Lavender Vanilla White Tea that earned international recognition or the Luscious Loquat Tea that won a silver medal at the Global Tea Championship, visit The White Heron Tea and Gifts, located at 6228 Grand Blvd in historic, downtown New Port Richey for a pot of tea or the formal high tea experience. Open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit one of their websites for more information or call 727-203-3504. thewhiteheronfl.com or driftwoodteacompany.com