Innovative tea beverages and delicious sweets were the twin themes at the Virginia Dare booth at the 2009 IFT Food Expo.
Presenting the history and lore of tea, and new tea concepts, was world-renowned tea expert James Norwood Pratt. Pratt is the author of “The Tea Lover’s Treasury” and “The Tea Lover’s Dictionary,” and is said to be the instigator and prophet of America’s present tea renaissance.
At Virginia Dare’s IFTea Room, several creative flavored iced tea concepts were available for tasting, demonstrating the company’s range of high-quality tea flavors, extracts and concentrates. Among the refreshing selections were Raspberry Hibiscus Black Tea, Nectarine Rose Green Tea, Lime Green Tea, and Mangosteen Black Tea, as well as Orange Blossom Rooibus Tea Latte and Vanilla Rooibus Tea Latte.
Virginia Dare Senior Bakery Chef Victor Dell’Aquila, a graduate of the French Culinary Institute, demonstrated many techniques for decorating cupcakes, creating delicious works of art flavored with Virginia Dare vanilla. In addition, Dell’Aquila offered shortbread cookies in raspberry, butter and maple-vanilla flavors, and black currant scones to complement the tea beverages.
