Strike up the band. Alert the media. This just in. Tell your friends.

Pardon us, if we’re sticking our chests out with a little pride and firing off some celebratory fireworks, but it’s like the Fourth of July around here, as we’ve just received the great news that four of our Art of Tea selections have been chosen for the finals at the upcoming World Tea Expo at the end May in Las Vegas.

We are so pleased to have multiple tea candidates competing and all four choices have gone through very rigorous prejudging tastings to get to this stage. We will be represented in three categories.

Our HALO, a bulb shaped white blossoming tea that opens into a rainbow ring of jasmine and amaranth flowers that are accented with blueberry and peach essence has been honored in the Hand-Tied Flowering Category. If you’ve never seen a flowering tea, it’s a beautiful thing to watch. Imagine slow motion, time-lapse photography and you’ll get the idea behind this incredible tea as it’s leaves open infusing the water with a delicious taste.

We’ve got two entries in the Blended/Flavored Category, our MANDARIN SILK oolong will hopefully steep its way into the hearts of the judges and our green Hojicha de la Creme will have them asking for another cup. No fighting you two, we’re all family here at The Art of Tea. Our oolong’s Pouchong tealeaves are blended with lemon myrtle , flowers and natural essence and deliver a smooth rich flavor with hints of creamy vanilla and a stimulating orange finish. The green’s hand roasted tea leaves and twigs are combined with fresh essence of vanilla and vanilla blossoms to brew a scrumptious toasted marshmellowy and hazelnut taste. We can’t pick a favorite in this one, we love them both the same, like all of our teas.

Last but not least, we’ve got an entry in the Herbal/Mint division with our sweet enticing Velvet Tea. It’s chocolate swims in a velvety base of organic rooibos and mint leaves and will give all those other tisanes a run for their money. It’s really the perfect dessert tea and has a finish that’s smooth and complimented by just a touch of vanilla. Chocolate fans will be standing in line for this one.

So, if you’ve always wanted to experience the real world of tea, hop in your car or head to the airport and join us in Las Vegas for the World Tea Expo. If you’re a fan of tea or want to do something in Vegas other than gamble, this is a show that we’re sure you will enjoy. It’s May 30 - June 1, 2008 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV. And if you do come to Vegas we’ve got an added treat to announce. Our own founder and Tea Blender Steve Schwartz will be conducting a don’t miss seminar on the art of blending teas. Learn the secrets of a respected Tea Blender and create your own tea blends. If you can’t join us in Vegas please try some of our nominated teas that are available on our website and conduct your own taste test. Let us know which one is your blue ribbon winner.