The way I see it World Tea Expo Awards Finalists
Category: Best Tea Blog
I would like to start out congratulating firstly the World Tea Expo for including this category as part of the awards. We in the industry, as tea bloggers have worked hard to keep the public apprised and knowledgeable about what is going on in our tea world and each of us brings a unique perspective to this endeavor.
Secondly, thank you to all who replied to the survey, even if you self-nominated. Hopefully this collection of awards will continue and become a regular yearly event to give others the opportunity to be nominated and chosen.
I am also glad to see that two of the finalist are also a part of the Tea Bloggers Roundtable an affiliated meeting, being held at the World Tea Expo for the second time this year. Thank you all who have supported this effort and have dedicated your time and energy to make this happen and congratulations to Jason & Jen on being chosen finalists.
So I will continue my thoughts about the category and selections.
Just like the leaf camellia sinensis, tea blogging encompasses many types. We have consummate tea reviewers, tea specialists in varieties, tea educators, tea ranters, tea fantasists, tea sellers who blog from both retail and online spectrum, tea consultants, tea videographers and a host of other descriptions can be defined. The common thread we all speak tea (and some of us in different languages).
This field of tea writing, in my estimation, could be broken into two more general sub categories, tea reviewers, and tea bloggers. I do not consider a tea reviewer the same is a blogger although a tea blogger may review tea occasionally, that is not the crux of their focus, they tell a story.
Even within the blogger segment sub categories can be constructed i.e. technical, educational, inspirational, fun, and ranting, although this may be asking too much.
We have some outstanding tea reviewers that I am aware of and can be found on their own personal sites as well as sites like Teatra.de, Association of Tea Bloggers and Steepster, which are widely known.
Then there is Teaity that provides a different new view of the subject.
As our world of tea expands with new converts, more writing will be done, more sites to see and read.
I just was made aware of one that I found delightful, ThirstyForTea by Bonnie Eng, her tagline “A blog dedicated to tea, tea food, and modernizing a time honored tradition”
Just like there is a tea for every palate, there’s a tea blog for every focus.
Now for my thoughts on the nominees.
I read all the writers listed and get updates daily of their contributions through bloglovin.
What I find difficult is, how they all can be nominated for the same category.
For example:
T Ching is a collection of blogs from a variety of writers. Can they be looked at in the same way as an individual blogger?
Walker Tea Review, the majority of the information is a collection of tea reviews and industry information and the bulk of the information is available as paid subscription only. You can only read teasers of the information. Now Jason, please don’t be peeved with me I’m only stating the fact.
World Of Tea, Tony has done an amazing job along with information gathered from other tea professionals to provide sorely needed accurate tea information to the masses. I am eagerly awaiting his book and enjoy reading his work, although technically I do not consider it a blog and I hope his publisher will not think so as well.
The Tea Cup Of Life, again I would like to thank LuAnn for the “Tea Tag” idea that prompted many of us to write about who we are and why we enjoy the leaf. I had never seen her site before that and was happy to find another tea writer I was not familiar with. Her blog is a combination of many topics from brewing, tea reviews, tea 101 and more. Her focus on all things tea is apparent and even encompasses a zazzle shop where “tea shirts” and tea buttons can be purchased.
An International Tea Moment, well what can I say… Jen takes tea blogging to another level. Combining a tea review with most importantly a focus of how tea fits into her daily life. She combines the issues of both the joy and challenges of life and pairs them to a tea (please excuse the pun). Her writing is inspirational and comforting. Her honesty is sometimes jarring yet identifiable to those who read.
So as you can see, based on the descriptions I have given, who is my clear choice. Noting again, I am soooo grateful that the category even exists and all the nominees should be proud.
In ending, I will submit for my readers consideration, my own list of sub-categories and awardees.
Tea Blog Daily Inspirations: Tea Philosophy, V.L. Hamilton
Tea Blog Ranting Award: Lord Devotea’s Tea Spouts, Robert Godden
Tea Industry Information Award: Nigel Melican Teacraft
Tea Blog Videographer Award: Snooteablog, Natasha Nesic
Tea Information & Research Blog Award: Tea Geek, Michael Coffey & World of Tea , Tony Geebly
Fashionable Tea Blog Award: The Tea Stylist, Linda Gaylard
Tea & Teaware Blog Award: The Tea Enthusiasts Scrapbook, Darlene Meyers-Perry
Tea Blog Review Fun/Fantasy Writing Award: Steep Stories, Lazy Literatus, Geoffrey Norman
Tea Blog Review Serious Writing Award: Tea With Gary, Gary Robson
Tea Blog Review Award: Tea For Me Please, Nicole Martin & Walker Tea Review, Jason Walker
Tea Blog Compilations Award: T Ching , & Teatra.de
Tea Blog History Award; Teaconomics, Xavier
New Tea Site Award; Teaity, Chris Giddings
Tea Blog Moderator Award; Joys Jabberings, Naomi Rosen (for her work on her own site and for the United States League of Tea Growers
Tea Industry Writers Online Magazine Award: Tea Biz, Dan Bolton & Katrina Avila Munichiello
I could create an unending list, so I’ll stop now. I am just grateful to all of you who have chosen to write about tea keeping me informed. Thank you all
If by chance are reading this I may not be familiar with your blog, leave a link in the comments and I will be sure to take a look.
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I must agree with you.
The list consists of one great tea blogger: Jen
The others are just using blog technology as a way of disseminating their information.
I must say I agree with your list above, and not just because I am on it.
Looking at all the categories, I’m pretty disappointed with some of the nominees.
And some of the categories. What about the “Marketing Hype Over Facts” award? “What about the “Most Exploitative Working Conditions ” award? Both would be hotly contested.
The book category rewards mediocrity and playing the game. As long as you have stunning pictures you are a contender.
And last, there’s a sameness to the nominees. The world of tea is far more diverse that the list. That’s not to criticize the nominees, just the feeling that your if face doesn’t fit, don’t bother to apply to WTE.
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I feel the exact same way for many of these nominations. Of the nominees for best tea blog, three directly asked their readership and social media networks to nominate their blogs. I believe that this does skew the results. While I respect and admire every one of them, my vote went to Bonnie’s blog. She definitely surpasses us all when it comes to creativity and photography skills. Thank you for the kind mention!
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I completely forgot to vote. So, my opinion is rather moot on the subject. However, had I made the ballad deadline in time (which would’ve been notoriously out of character for me), my vote would’ve gone to Jen as well. Whether she means to or not, her blog is actually telling a rather cohesive, slice-of-life story – her story. And that’s worth tuning into.
Now, Most Follicly Blessed Tea Blogger Award goes to…?
C’mon, this is an easy one.
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I have yet to see a photo of you with a beard and long hair so there could be a run off 🙂
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Did not hear of it till now. But I agree that the category is too wide. It is almost about tea website instead of blog. A nice category on its own.
I hope this does not end in a popularity contest.
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There was a vote? I always miss the good stuff.
Thanks to you, I know have more blogs to read.
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@jobj why a beard and long hair? It never happened and i don’t think it will ever.
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LOL @xavier, I was referring to Geoff I have never seen a photo of him with a beard or long hair and I’m sure he is could compete for the award he mentioned.