Interview - Regina Komkha - Tea Blossoms

Tea is an experience to be savoured. Whilst most people enjoy the flavour and aroma of tea, true tea lovers will take the experience a step or two further, and one company is helping to make that simple. Tea Blossoms has created a range of stunningly pretty blends and blooms that add infinite eye appeal. We recently spoke with Regina Komkha, General Manager and Founder of Tea Blossoms Company, and learned a little more about the aesthetic virtues of the products and how they have set this company apart from others; not just for retailers and foodservice businesses but also for their customers.

FFW: We’re utterly enthralled at the beautiful blends of tea you’ve created; why is it so important to you to create eye appeal in your tea products?

TEA BLOSSOMS: Our aim was to create a range of teas that taste great, that are visually appealing and full of health benefits. That is how our slogan was born - For Taste – For Beauty – For Health. If you put these three elements together you get a perfect solution.

You only have a few seconds to catch the customer’s attention, and you need to present your product to catch their attention. It’s much easier to educate people about health benefits when you show them product that speaks for itself.

We also believe that it is important for the packaging of a premium product to reflect the quality of the product. Our tea collections would appeal to all generations, X, Y, Z.

FFW: It would seem that a designer has created the blends specifically to look pretty; what kind of process is involved in selecting the right ingredients to achieve the desired presentation as well as flavour?

TEA BLOSSOMS: That is correct; we put a lot of thoughts into visual aspects. Some of our basic senses are sight, taste and smell. When we are building a range we want to make sure we appeal to these senses. This means we need to know what people like, what are the best combinations of tea, herbs and aromas and create tea blends that will be become our best sellers. So when we are asked what our best sellers are, it’s very hard to select one or two teas.

We use packaging that is either made from recycled materials or that can be refilled, reused or recycled. These are our small, but worthwhile contributions to minimising waste.

FFW: What is a blooming tea?

TEA BLOSSOMS: Blooming Tea is a ball formed from tea leaves sewn together that opens up as a flower when steeped in a teapot. Blooming teas are only made in China in Fujian province.

To form our Blooms we use early season leaves which are rare and are only available 2-3 weeks each year. These young leaves are the lowest in caffeine and as they go through the minimum oxidation process, they preserve high antioxidant quality. The leaves assist in the prevention of a variety of conditions, from heart disease, cancer and gum disease to the lowering of cholesterol.

Other components of the teas are carefully chosen to enhance the health benefits of the green tea leaves and to add to the appearance and taste.

FFW: Tea Blossoms offers such an intriguing range of teas including green, black and white tea plus exotics such as rooibos, organic and oolong. Do you feel this complicates selection for customers or do they appreciate being able to source such a diverse range from the one supplier?

TEA BLOSSOMS: We are sourcing tea from all over the world: we have reputable suppliers in China, India, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Australia. When choosing our suppliers, our preference goes to those with the highest quality standards, using established methods: certifications, audits of manufacture methods, materials, and test proper processes.

Our diverse range allows us to provide complete tea solution for different markets as they all have their specific needs, and we have developed our tea solutions accordingly.

Our expanding product range means there is something for everyone, and attracting new clients is always in the interest of every business.

One thing it is important to remember is that diversity should not affect product and service quality – all should be balanced in a good way.

FFW: The names of your products read like a fairytale; English Rose, Turkish Delight, Safari Sunrise; do you find that the names attract customers who are fascinated to learn more?

TEA BLOSSOMS: Absolutely. Buyers are more likely to respond to enticing, descriptive product names with a bit of a mystery so they will be motivated to learn more about it. There is a meaning for each name. For example our Floral/Fruit collection represents main tea drinking cultures (Middle East, England, China, Japan, Russia and of course Australia). We put together tea blends that reflect teas that are most enjoyed in each of these cultures.

FFW: In what formats do you sell your tea?

TEA BLOSSOMS: We have a wide variety of ranges and packaging solutions. Our Classic range consists of loose leaves and silken pyramid tea bags – these are traditional teas with a twist. You can purchase these teas in bulk packaging for your home use by simply subscribing for our home package or you can choose from a wide variety of gifts and hampers.

Recently we introduced our Organic Tea Range. Popularity of organic products is growing rapidly in Australia. We recently received our ACO certification and will focus on expanding our organic range. Our Organic Health range consist of Slimming, Detox, Relax and other teas. These teas are becoming part of our day today life.

Blooming flowering teas are our speciality, available in green, black, white tea base, natural, fruit herbal varieties and various sizes. Most of the range is unique to Tea Blossoms. We have created a wide variety of gift packaging and accompanying accessories. We are also not forgetting about regular buyers who can buy storage solutions and refill packs.

Our range will stand out because of its quality and unique presentation: we use gift boxes, metal tins, tea chests – all with unique modern designs.

FFW: Can you explain how a blooming tea ball is used?

TEA BLOSSOMS: Preparing blooming tea is very simple and pleasant to watch.

In order to get the maximum impact out of your blooming tea, it is recommended that you serve it in a glass teapot.

Place one tea ball in your teapot. Add freshly boiled water that has cooled down to 180’F/80’C. Watch the long leaves unfurl to reveal the hidden flower treasure. Infuse until the ball is fully open, which usually takes about 3-5 minutes.

FFW: Do you encourage your retailers to offer sampling in store?

TEA BLOSSOMS: Absolutely – If people see and try our teas it’s almost guaranteed that they will want to enjoy them at home or share them with a friend.

Our retail customers have an opportunity to sample our teas by registering for FREEE samples online -  try our latest and greatest product lines before buying.

FFW: On your website, you promote tea for beauty, tea for health and tea for taste. You seem to live and breathe tea; is there anything tea can’t do?

TEA BLOSSOMS: Studies that support the health benefits of tea drinking are constantly hitting the headlines. Probably there is no other food or drink reported to have as many health benefits as green tea.

The Chinese have known about the medicinal benefits of green tea since ancient times. But today, scientific research in both Asia and the west is providing hard evidence for the health benefits long associated with drinking green tea, such as:

• Powerful antioxidant
• Blood pressure reduction
• Cancer prevention
• Cholesterol reduction
• Antibacterial and antiviral activity
• Reduction of blood sugar
• Slowing the aging process
• Relieving and preventing rheumatoid arthritis
• Cardiovascular disease and preventing dangerous blood-clotting
• Impaired immune function and preventing and hastening recovery from colds and flu
• Aiding with the prevention and relief of type-two diabetes
• Blocking key receptors in producing allergic reactions
• Aiding Parkinson's disease sufferers
• Slowing the HIV infection process
• Maintains healthy fluid balance
• Relieves fatigue and stress
• Boosting the immune function of skin cells
• Reducing the risk of stroke
• Preventing osteoporosis
• Reducing DNA damage in smokers
• Improving bone structure
• Reduce risk of hypertension
• Drinking tea might delay Alzheimer's Disease

FFW: What kinds of gift lines do you produce?

TEA BLOSSOMS:

Both our Blooming Tea Packs and our Classic Range of loose leaves and silken infusers are beautifully packaged for use as a gift solution. The Tea Blossoms range is a welcome addition to any gift basket or hamper.

We have made it easy for everyone to use the Tea Blossoms collection for all of your gifting needs and put a smile on someone’s face. For corporate customers we can create special packages to suit any budget.

Everyone drinks tea; Black, Green, White, Fruit, Blooming - we have it all. It's beautiful, healthy and guaranteed to be appreciated.

FFW: What’s your favourite Tea Blossoms product and how do you enjoy it?

TEA BLOSSOMS: I enjoy drinking all kind of teas, and depending on the mood I can prefer black, green or herbal teas.

Two of my favourite teas are Fairytale and Shanghai Fairytale. Both are very light, crisp and fruity; great for iced tea or as a hot brew.

I also enjoy rooibos. It can be mixed with almost everything.  It is naturally caffeine-free and is thought to be one of the best health tea varieties available. The great thing about rooibos is that is also tastes good, making it a fantastic alternative to other types of tea you may drink on a daily basis.

FFW: What’s the biggest seller in your range and why do you think it is?

TEA BLOSSOMS: We specialise in blooming, flowering teas and have  the widest range in Australia. We have 14 tea types and most of them are unique to Tea Blossoms Company.

Recently Blooming Teas became very popular as gifts and table decorations.   They are beautiful to watch as they transform themselves, and they taste great as well. Because this tea is so unique, in the past people usually didn't picture having this as an every-day tea. It’s all changing these days. A pot of blooming teas can last all day so why not spoil yourself every day?  Also more and more people serve it after meals at dinner parties. Hotels serve it at their High Teas.

We are also constantly adding new teas and have created a few signature blends that are very popular (Fairytale blend and Black Lemon Berry).

FFW: If you could land a dream client, who would it be?

TEA BLOSSOMS: I would love to have some sort of partnership with Virgin blue and have a chance to work with Richard Branson. I even have a great idea and with Virgin’s help we can take to the skyJ.

FFW: If you could hand a cup of tea to one famous person for the ultimate promotion of your product, who would you choose and why?

TEA BLOSSOMS: I would have to say the Queen.

Tea as an experience as well as a refreshing beverage is becoming more and more popular. Consider upmarket High Teas, tea gifts and a growing trend in tea parties at home and to celebrate special occasions. Don’t fall behind on the trend; contact Tea Blossoms today and order your first delivery of stunning, exquisite blooming teas.