Italy birthed the Slow Food movement to encourage greater appreciation of locally produced food and beverages. Slow Food promotes the intrinsic qualities and traditions of food processing and preparation. The Slow Tea movement, which originated in 2004, embraced the core philosophy of Slow Food while maintaining its independence. From these early beginnings, the SlowTEA Alliance (STA), a non-profit, non-government organization based in Milan, took shape. STA promotes good, clean, and fair tea production and consumption worldwide, supporting projects that defend local tea traditions, protect biodiversity, and encourage the production of small-scale quality teas.

Joining us today are Riccardo Colosi, Global Development Manager of SlowTEA Alliance, and my good friend, Marco Bertona, president of the Italy Tea & Infusions Association (AssoTè Infusi) and founder of the International SlowTEA Alliance.

The alliance recently introduced a third-party certification label featuring the ladybug, a symbol of protection and renewal. This certification is based on a new concept of quality, grounded in the three principles of Good, Clean, and Fair tea.

BIO: Marco Bertona is the co-founder and chairman of the Italy Tea & Infusions Association (AssoTè Infusi), Italy's first and oldest tea association. He is a professional tea taster, consultant, and promoter who studied tea at Zhejiang Agriculture University in Hangzhou. He holds certifications and degrees from several Chinese tea research institutes and universities. He was awarded a diploma as an Advanced Tea Taster issued by the Ministry of Labor, China.

Riccardo Colosi, in Lombardy, became devoted to sustainable farming in 2014 when he established an NGO dedicated to promoting and creating a cleaner and more ethical food chain, which he directed until 2021. He has been passionate about tea since 2013, when he completed the Italy Tea & Infusions Association courses. In 2024, he took on the role of Global Development Manager of the SlowTEA Alliance.

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Tea is Ensnared in an Expanding Global Trade War | Kenya Achieves Record Tea Earnings Despite Market Challenges | Chinese Regulators Approve a US IPO for Chagee Tea

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Tea is Ensnared in an Expanding Global Trade War | Kenya Achieves Record Tea Earnings Despite Market Challenges | Chinese Regulators Approve a US IPO for Chagee Tea

NEWSMAKERS – Marco Bertona, president of the Italy Tea & Infusions Association and founder of the International SlowTEA Alliance | Riccardo Colosi, Global Development Manager of SlowTEA Alliance

PLUS | SlowTEA’s New Certification Program

Italy birthed the Slow Food movement to encourage greater appreciation of locally produced food and beverages. Slow Food promotes the intrinsic qualities and traditions of food processing and preparation. The Slow Tea movement, which originated in 2004, embraced the core philosophy of Slow Food while maintaining its independence. From these early beginnings, the SlowTEA Alliance (STA), a non-profit, non-government organization based in Milan, took shape. STA promotes good, clean, and fair tea production and consumption worldwide, supporting projects that defend local tea traditions, protect biodiversity, and encourage the production of small-scale quality teas.

Joining us today are Riccardo Colosi, Global Development Manager of SlowTEA Alliance, and my good friend, Marco Bertona, president of the Italy Tea & Infusions Association (AssoTè Infusi) and founder of the International SlowTEA Alliance.

The alliance recently introduced a third-party certification label featuring the ladybug, a symbol of protection and renewal. This certification is based on a new concept of quality, grounded in the three principles of Good, Clean, and Fair tea.

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The US Food and Drug Administration recently expanded its list of healthy beverages to include coffee. Independent peer-reviewed research shows that drinking coffee is linked to many significant health benefits, notably longevity. Coffee is the source of 70% of Americans' caffeine intake, up 15% since 2010-11, according to an ongoing study of 49,000 US adults. The latest update finds that fewer individuals consume caffeinated beverages, and those who do opt for stronger doses.

Joining us today is Melissa San Miguel, spokesperson for the National Coffee Association. The association has launched a new B2C website that provides easy access to evidence showing that coffee drinkers tend to live longer, healthier, and happier lives. The website URL is “ABOUTCOFFEE.org.”

BIO: Melissa has supported NCA’s communications and public affairs strategies since 2017. She has extensive expertise in agriculture, food, consumer goods, and trade and has advised some of the world’s leading companies and associations. She was previously Senior Director of Global Strategies for the Grocery Manufacturers Association (now the Consumer Brands Association). She served nine years in the U.S. Foreign Service, including two tours in Latin America. She holds degrees from Princeton University and the University of California, Los Angeles.

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US Tariff Exemptions Confound the Tea Industry | Nepali Banks Fearful of Secondary Sanctions Will Curtail Nepal Tea Exports | Mixue’s $444 Million Bubble Tea IPO is Hong Kong’s Largest of the Year

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US Tariff Exemptions Confound the Tea Industry | Nepali Banks Fearful of Secondary Sanctions Will Curtail Nepal Tea Exports | Mixue’s $444 Million Bubble Tea IPO is Hong Kong’s Largest of the Year

NEWSMAKER – NCA Spokesperson Melissa San Miguel

PLUS | Coffee Health Status Update

The US Food and Drug Administration recently expanded its list of healthy beverages to include coffee. Independent peer-reviewed research shows that drinking coffee is linked to many significant health benefits, notably longevity. Coffee is the source of 70% of Americans' caffeine intake, up 15% since 2010-11, according to an ongoing study of 49,000 US adults. The latest update finds that fewer individuals consume caffeinated beverages, and those who do opt for stronger doses.

Joining us today is Melissa San Miguel, spokesperson for the National Coffee Association. The association has launched a new B2C website that provides easy access to evidence showing that coffee drinkers tend to live longer, healthier, and happier lives. The website URL is “ABOUTCOFFEE.org.”

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Eliminating the $800 de minimis tariff exemption will significantly impact the U.S. tea industry. The recent imposition of a 10% tariff on top of the 7.5% duty on Chinese tea, with a threatened additional 10% duty under discussion, has disrupted and burdened quality-driven tea enthusiasts and small businesses. Removing the de minimis exemption further alienates those committed to quality and innovation in the tea market.

Rather than a blanket removal, U.S. policymakers should explore targeted solutions, such as industry-specific exemptions, that assist small-scale imports while addressing trade concerns. Otherwise, this decision will make premium tea less accessible for consumers and disadvantage U.S. retailers against global competitors.

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Japan’s Ag Ministry Plans Stimulus to Address Matcha Shortfall | Tea’s Unexpected Role in Filtering Heavy Metals | Caffeine Intake Rises as Consumers Opt for Coffee

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Japan’s Ag Ministry Plans Stimulus to Address Matcha Shortfall | Tea’s Unexpected Role in Filtering Heavy Metals | Caffeine Intake Rises as Consumers Opt for Coffee

Commentary by Dan Bolton | Ending De Minimis Exemption is Short-Sighted | Eliminating the $800 de minimis tariff exemption will significantly impact the U.S. tea industry. The recent imposition of a 10% tariff on top of the 7.5% duty on Chinese tea, with a threatened additional 10% duty under discussion, has disrupted and burdened quality-driven tea enthusiasts and small businesses. Removing the de minimis exemption further alienates those committed to quality and innovation in the tea market. Rather than a blanket removal, U.S. policymakers should explore targeted solutions, such as industry-specific exemptions, that assist small-scale imports while addressing trade concerns. Otherwise, this decision will make premium tea less accessible for consumers and disadvantage U.S. retailers against global competitors.

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Dismantling USAID (the US Agency for International Development) has disrupted every project dedicated to improving the tea sector worldwide. The full impact remains to be seen as stakeholders assess the long-term consequences of the US policy shift. USAID has ongoing projects in 130 countries, including India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. The USAID East Africa Mission is based in Nairobi, Kenya, and oversees projects in Tanzania, Malawi, and Rwanda. Their status is unknown. Since USAID public relations no longer responds to media queries, we are compiling this information and sharing it globally via Tea Biz Blog | Podcast

Reporters at news outlets are documenting the impact on health, disaster and refugee relief to focus attention on the plight of these programs, which may lead others to assist.

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