Karen Donnelly is a certified Tea Association of Canada Tea Sommelier Professional and has been a writer, speaker, and teacher for over 30 years. She currently writes the Cuisine page for The Tea House Times magazine and is a regular contributor to the Tea & Herbal Association of Canada’s Sip Magazine.
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A Member of:
The Tea & Herbal Association of Canada
The Mid Atlantic Tea Business Association
Virtual and in-person presentation with power point
with option for tea tastings
for organizations, books clubs, libraries, non-profits
Tea 101: Production Styles, Origin with Tastings: Introduction to tea. Learn about the six main types of tea (white, green, oolong, black, yellow, and pu-erh), their history, unique production methods, the effect of terroir, and steeping methods. Examples of these teas can be provided for sampling through arrangement with speaker.
How to Make the Best Cup of Tea for You: Master the art of brewing! Discover how water temperature, steeping time, and tea-to-water ratios affect taste, and learn personalized tips to craft the perfect cup suited to your preferences.
History of Afternoon Tea & Etiquette: Step back into the elegant tradition of afternoon tea — from its origins in 19th-century England, it’s popularity in the U.S. and back again to Edwardian England in to see how customs changed — while learning the art of proper tea etiquette.
Tea in Britain: Comfort & Tradition in a Cup: Did you know that Hitler thought tea was Great Britain’s Secret Weapon? From tea’s arrival in Great Britain in the 1600s to its rise as a beloved cultural icon today, learn why tea became an integral part of the British community.
The History of Tea in Ireland: Known for their hospitality and love of tea (the second largest consumption per capita in the world), the Irish poor were the last to enjoy tea in the British Isles. From The Famine to The Troubles, discover why today the Irish drink some of the best tea in the world.
Growing Herbs for Tea: A presentation on cultivating your own herbal oasis — discover which herbs thrive in a home garden, how to harvest and dry them, and how to create custom herbal blends for soothing, healing infusions.
Cooking with Tea: Elevate your culinary creations using tea as an ingredient. You will be guided through the many ways you can add the goodness of tea to your dishes to add depth of flavor. Recipes provided.
Tea and Food Pairings: Just like wine, tea can be paired with food. In this workshop, students will learn how to pair teas with foods — starting with tea and chocolate or tea with cheese – plant-based or dairy.
Mindful Sips: Focus, Health, and Well-being in Every Cup of Tea: Tea rituals can nurture both body and mind. Learn the science of tea’s health benefits, mindfulness practices tied to tea drinking, and how each sip can support focus, relaxation, and overall wellness.
