Tag Archives: Naoko Tsunoda

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US Teavana stores to offer complimentary “flight” or samples of cider-inspired teas during weekends Sep 12 – Oct 18

SEATTLE, 2015-9-11 — /EPR Retail News/ — Over the past several years, there has been a surge in the popularity of hard ciders. Teavana’s innovative take on this trend includes loose leaf teas inspired by cider and infused with spices and dried fruits.

“There has been a revival of the American tradition of producing hard ciders,” said Naoko Tsunoda, tea authority and director of tea development at Teavana. “With this in mind, we reinvented the flavors of ciders into brewed tea and created new epicurean blends with botanical ingredients.”

Every Saturday and Sunday from September 12 through October 18, Teavana stores in the U.S. will offer a complimentary “flight” or samples of the cider-inspired teas, for customers who wish to taste them side by side. Those who purchase one pound of any tea cider or cider combination, will receive a 20 percent discount from participating stores.

In addition to the complimentary tea cider flight, customers may try individual samples of Spiced Apple Cider throughout the week from September 12 through October 18, while supplies last.

“If you follow the wine industry, flights are a standard now,” said Tsunoda. “For the first time, we will provide tea flights, so customers can taste and compare our three tea ciders that are light, medium and full-bodied in flavor.”

Flights of Tea: 

Poached Pear Cider

The most subtle flavor of the tea cider collection, the new Poached Pear Cider is a nuanced blend of pear with citrus, lemongrass and soft spices.

“We wanted to create a tea with the taste of an epicurean dessert, similar to the poached pear that you find in French cuisine. White hibiscus adds a bright flavor to the medley of sweet apples, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves,” she said.

Spiced Apple Cider

A seasonal favorite at Teavana, Spiced Apple Cider is medium-bodied and starts with red rooibos tea, blended with sweet cinnamon spice, apple, chicory, plum and red hibiscus.

“Spiced Apple Cider is one of our most popular blends that we offer in the fall,” said Tsunoda. “It tastes wonderful as a brewed tea or you can take it an extra step and mull it with apple cider.”

Mulled Pomegranate Cider

A full-bodied blend, the Mulled Pomegranate Cider is new to the tea cider collection and is made with pomegranate, a juicy medley of red and black berries and spices.

“Pomegranate is beloved as a super fruit and has a rich culinary history in Persian cuisine,” said Tsunoda. “Mulled Pomegranate Cider makes a deliciously vibrant iced tea and is also amazing sparkled with seltzer or with a blush rosé.”

How to Make a Teavana Spiced Apple Cider Beverage at Home:

For more information on this news release, contact the Starbucks Newsroom.

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US Teavana stores to offer complimentary “flight” or samples of cider-inspired teas during weekends Sep 12 - Oct 18

US Teavana stores to offer complimentary “flight” or samples of cider-inspired teas during weekends Sep 12 – Oct 18

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Product Launch: Teavana® Shaken Iced Mango Black Tea Lemonade available in participating Starbucks® stores

SEATTLE, 2015-7-7 — /EPR Retail News/ — Imagine a quiet summer evening, having dinner outside with a bright beautiful garden in view. That setting is the inspiration behind Teavana® Shaken Iced Mango Black Tea Lemonade – a new beverage being offered for a limited time in participating Starbucks® stores across the U.S. and Canada, beginning today (July 7).

“We thought about what we would be doing and eating during the summer,” said Megan Droz, Starbucks senior product developer, Beverage and R&D. “We also considered the many Teavana® tea flavors and how we could make interesting combinations with them.”

Droz and team began with a long list of summer experiences and paired them with different flavor ideas. They gradually narrowed down their ideas until they arrived at the best combination for the new beverage.

“We always start with the experience first, not the flavor,” said Droz. “That gives us a much stronger connection to the beverage we create because the flavor is rooted in a feeling, in something special that has occurred.”

The Teavana® Shaken Iced Mango Black Tea Lemonade is a delicious blend of premium black tea, juicy mango, sweet passion fruit, and a splash of lemonade. Starbucks baristas will shake the beverage a minimum of 10 times in order to release the drink’s vibrant flavors.

There are many varietals of mango, so Droz had to select the one with the best taste. She looked for other flavors to accent the taste of the mango as well. The right balance of tartness to sweetness was also very important. The ideal beverage is mouth-watering and thirst-quenching.

“When it comes to iced tea, we strive for a very refreshing beverage,” said Droz. “We also want it to be ’cravable,’ so customers come back for more.”

Thanks to collaboration with Naoko Tsunoda, tea authority and director of tea development at Teavana, Droz had the perfect black tea for the new beverage. Teavana uses premium loose leaf tea and high quality ingredients that create innovative blends.

“We are excited to learn what customers think of the Teavana® Shaken Iced Mango Black Tea Lemonade,” said Droz. “I’m proud to have been a part of its development.”

A Teavana Mango Black tea beverage is available at Teavana stores across the U.S. and Canada. In addition, a Mango Black loose leaf tea can be purchased at Teavana® stores and online at Teavana.com, so customers can easily brew premium iced tea at home, capturing the same great taste. The loose leaf tea combines Ceylon tea from Sri Lanka, Chinese Black tea from the Hunan Province, three types of mango, and passion fruit. This blend is great on its own or when combined with Teavana’s Limeade Twist, Peach Tranquility, or Golden Monkey Black Tea.

For more information on this news release, contact us.

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Product Launch: Teavana® Shaken Iced Mango Black Tea Lemonade available in participating Starbucks® stores

Product Launch: Teavana® Shaken Iced Mango Black Tea Lemonade available in participating Starbucks® stores

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Teavana celebrates National Iced Tea Day month with Iced Tea Happy Hour from June 11-14

SEATTLE, 2015-6-11 — /EPR Retail News/ — Teavana, a leader in high-quality loose leaf teas and beverages, is celebrating National Iced Tea Day month an Iced Tea Happy Hour from June 11-14.

“Tea is on the rise across America, with iced tea now the most consumed beverage at lunch time. In our Starbucks stores where Teavana tea is served; our tea sales rose 15 percent year-over-year mostly due to the popularity of our Teavana shaken iced tea,” said Annie Young-Scrivner, president, Teavana. “We have hundreds of iced tea options, and we welcome customers to join us at Starbucks or Teavana to experience some of the highest-quality and most delicious teas.”

According to the Tea Association of the USA, 85 percent of tea consumed in America is iced tea, and loose leaf iced tea is gaining in popularity. Teavana features some of the most unique and flavorful premium loose leaf teas using some of the finest full tea leaves along with ingredients like fruits, flowers and spices. Teavana loose leaf teas are made from some of the finest whole tea leaves and the epicurean blends combine the best of science and artistry to bring out bold and exotic flavors.

“High-quality, loose leaf tea allows our customers to truly experience the subtleties and the full flavor of our straight teas and epicurean blends,” said Naoko Tsunoda, tea authority and director of tea development at Teavana.  “Whether you’re new to tea or a tea enthusiast, that first sip of delicious, loose leaf iced tea immediately transforms the way one thinks about this refreshing beverage. The delicious, bold, exotic flavors are perfect for celebrating summer with family and friends.”

Iced Tea Happy Hour June 11-14

To continue the iced tea celebration, customers can visit participating Teavana stores June 11 – June 14 from 3-6pm local time for 50 percent off a 16-ounce iced tea beverage and learn how easy it is to make iced tea at home (one per customer, while supplies last). Whether enjoying a favorite tea or trying something new, customers are encouraged to share their iced tea discoveries on Twitter and Instagram using #TeavanaTime.

Bring the Loose Leaf Iced Tea Experience Home

Making homemade loose leaf iced tea is easy and delicious, and with Teavana products like the Modern Iced Teamaker, it’s simple to steep a large batch of iced tea, perfect for summer entertaining.

“When making iced tea, I recommend exploring and tasting different flavors that blend well together. Try blending fruity and fruity, fruity and floral, or even pure teas with fruity overtones using a rooibos, black or herbal tea, or a flavored or scented green tea, to serve over ice,” said Tsunoda.

To enjoy loose leaf iced tea at home, first double the amount of loose leaf tea used in a regular brew. If a sweet tea is preferred, add Perfectea® rock sugar to the brewer first and then add hot water, giving a little stir until dissolved. Then add the loose leaf tea and steep for the allotted period of time.  By adding the rock sugar first our beautiful crystallized rock sugar will dissolve evenly and elevate the natural sweetness of our blends.

“Our Perfectea rock sugar is my sweetener of choice,” said Tsunoda. “Made of Belgian beets, this sweetener elevates and maintains the integrity of the multi-layered flavor profile we designed for iced teas.”

After the hot tea is brewed, immediately pour tea into a glass or pitcher filled with ice, as the sudden cooling keeps the flavor and scent of the tea intact.

“Once you see how easy it is to brew loose leaf iced tea, there are fun ways to add your own signature elements to your beverage,” she said.

Elevate the Iced Tea Experience

Flavor Cubes: Freeze flavor cubes from an iced tea blend in the ice cubes. Instead of using water to make iced cubes, use another iced tea beverage for a layered visual dynamic and flavor profile.

Getting Fizzy with It: Make a sparkling tea for the ultimate summer refreshment. Simply brew double-strength tea with sweetener to taste; let it cool and then add sparkling water.

Iced Tea-tini: Turn a favorite iced tea into a cocktail by chilling the double-strength brewed tea sweetened to taste, then mixing it with a favorite spirit. Serve over ice or in a martini glass with garnish.

About Starbucks
Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at www.starbucks.com and through the Starbucks Newsroom.

About Teavana
Teavana offers new tea enthusiasts and tea connoisseurs alike its “Heaven of Tea” retail experience where passionate and knowledgeable “Teaologists” engage and educate them about the ritual and enjoyment of tea. The company, which was founded in 1997 and joined the Starbucks family of brands in 2012, has a mission to be the most recognized and respected brand in the tea industry by expanding the culture of tea across the world. Visit www.teavana.com, and find a store near you in the U.S. here.

For more information on this news release, contact us.

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Teavana celebrates National Iced Tea Day month with Iced Tea Happy Hour from June 11-14

Teavana celebrates National Iced Tea Day month with Iced Tea Happy Hour from June 11-14

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Starbucks introduces caffeine-free Teavana® Oprah Chai Herbal Blend

Introducing Teavana Oprah Chai Herbal Blend – a new, naturally caffeine-free blend with chai spices and citrusy effervescence

SEATTLE, 2015-5-6 — /EPR Retail News/ — The new caffeine-free Teavana® Oprah Chai Herbal Blend is now available in U.S. and Canada Starbucks stores as a hot brewed tea and packaged loose-leaf tea. The blend offers a naturally caffeine-free option to complement existing Teavana Oprah Chai products like the Teavana Oprah Cinnamon Chai Tea Latte and original Teavana Oprah Chai brewed tea. Teavana Oprah Chai Herbal Blend is also available in Teavana stores as a loose leaf tea and in gift sets, and online at Starbucksstore.com and Teavana.com.

Created in partnership with Oprah Winfrey, Teavana® Oprah Chai Herbal Blend offers light body, subtle spice, and layers of herbal flavors – the classic chai spices like cinnamon and ginger present but softened by lemongrass, citrus, and apple. It also offers a hint of basil, which is Oprah’s favorite herb.

“This is a very versatile tea. It’s naturally sweet and you can drink it hot or iced. Also, because it is caffeine-free it’s a great way to enjoy chai all day long,” said Naoko Tsunoda, Teavana teaologist, who worked with Oprah Winfrey on both Chai blends.

Adds Tsunoda, “We started with a handful of blends and then narrowed it down to three  – one with mango, one with pomegranate, and one with a hint of basil, and the moment Oprah tried the chai with basil, she loved it.’ ”

Since Teavana first collaborated with Oprah to create Teavana® Oprah Chai in spring 2014, sales of Teavana Oprah Chai beverages, loose leaf tea, and gift sets have raised more than $5 million to support youth education in the U.S. and Canada. For more information on these efforts, visit Starbucks.com/oprahchai.

About Teavana Oprah Chai Tea
With each purchase of a Teavana Oprah Chai Tea product, Starbucks makes a donation to the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation, which supports educational opportunities for young people. For every Teavana Oprah Chai beverage sold, $0.25 is donated, for every two ounces of loose leaf tea sold, $1 is donated, and for every gift set purchased (including the new Oprah-designed Steep Good Thoughts tea for one set), $4 is donated to the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation.

Since Teavana first collaborated with Winfrey to create Teavana® Oprah Cinnamon Chai in spring 2014, sales have raised more than $5 million for youth organizations in the U.S. and Canada. For more information on these efforts, visit Starbucks.com/oprahchai.

For more information on this news release, contact the Starbucks Newsroom.

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Starbucks introduces caffeine-free Teavana® Oprah Chai Herbal Blend

Starbucks introduces caffeine-free Teavana® Oprah Chai Herbal Blend