2025 Global Tea Championship Announces Winners at World Tea Expo
LAS VEGAS – The winners of the 2025 Global Tea Championship (GTC) were revealed during the World Tea Expo Awards Ceremony on March 25, 2025. This influential event, organized by Questex, celebrated premium teas from around the world, recognizing excellence in multiple categories, such as matcha and leaf teas.
Celebrating Quality and Innovation in Tea
The GTC awards highlighted a diverse selection of teas, with distinctions for leaf appearance, cup character, and overall product quality. “These awards not only highlight the diversity of teas from different origins, but they also demonstrate the commitment to innovation and excellence within the tea industry,” stated Tim McLucas, Vice President of the Bar & Restaurant Group at Questex. “We are proud to provide a platform for these exceptional teas to receive global recognition, and we look forward to seeing how these award-winning brands will inspire the future of the tea industry.”
Event Highlights
The awards ceremony took place at the Las Vegas Convention Center, part of the World Tea Expo, which ran from March 24 to 26, 2025.
Award Winners Overview
Matcha Categories
Origin Awards
- Japan: Japanese Green Tea Co., Ceremonial Matcha
- Korea: Prometheus/Grin Mood, Ceremonial Matcha
Superior Awards
- Best Ground Leaf Profile: Japanese Green Tea Co., Ceremonial Matcha
- Best Cup Character: Japanese Green Tea Co., Ceremonial Matcha
Premium Awards
- Best Ceremonial: Japanese Green Tea Co.
- Best Culinary: Newby Teas
Grand Prize
Ceremonial Matcha – Japanese Green Tea Co. (Japan)
Leaf Tea Categories
Origin Awards
- China: Zouji and Yunnan Tea Co., Tuocha/Shou
- Georgia: Dethlefsen & Balk, Wild Grusinia Op
- India: Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Co., Munnar White
- Japan: Wakoen Global, Ryokucha Densetsu Kiwami
- Kenya: Green Shutter Tea, Milima/Gfbop
- Korea: Wild Orchard Tea Co., Early Spring/After Rain
- Nepal: Accord India International P Ltd., Kuwapani Golden Drops
- New Zealand: Zealong Tea Estate, Oolong Dark
- Rwanda: Gisovu (Silverback) Tea Co., Gisovu White Tea
- Sri Lanka: Lumbini Tea Valley, Silver Feathers
- Taiwan: Qing Feng Tea Co., Hui Lan Ming Zhu Oolong
- Tanzania: Kazi Yetu Ltd., Flowery Pekoe
- Thailand: Decentea Co. Ltd., Golden Erawan Black
- USA: The Great Mississippi Tea Co., Black Orchid Oolong
- Vietnam: Tea Cusp Inc., Scarlet Heritage Oolong
Superior Awards
- White Tea: Lumbini Tea Valley, Silver Feathers
- Green Tea: Seven Teahouse, Imperial Spring Dragonwell
- Oolong Tea: Brook37 The Atelier, Moonlight
- Black Tea: Lumbini Tea Valley, Manjary
- Pu-erh Tea: Seven Teahouse, Golden Spring Pu’erh-shou & Orientaleaf, Golden Flower Fuzhuan-Shou (Joint winners)
Superior Liquor Awards
- White Tea: Lumbini Tea Valley, Silver Feathers
- Green Tea: Wakoen Global, Kakuhori Fukamushi Sencha
- Oolong Tea: The Great Mississippi Tea Co., Black Orchid
- Black Tea: Lumbini Tea Valley, Moonson Black
- Pu-erh Tea: Zouji and Yunnan Tea Co., Tuocha-Shou
Premium Awards
- White Tea: Lumbini Tea Valley, Silver Feathers (Sri Lanka)
- Green Tea Steamed: Wakoen Global, Ryokucha Densetsu Kiwami (Japan)
- Green Tea Pan Fired: Seven Teahouse, Imperial Dragonwell (China)
- Oolong Tea Long Oxidized: Iteaworld, Dan Cong/Mi Lan Xiang (China)
- Oolong Tea Short Oxidized: Qing Feng Tea Co., Hui Lan Ming Zhu (Taiwan)
- Black Tea Orthodox: Lumbini Tea Valley, Singharaja Wiry Tips (Sri Lanka)
- Black Tea Ctc: Luxmi Group, Attabarie Pf (Rwanda)
- Pu-Erh Tea Sheng: Yunnan Chuandai Agri-Tech Ltd., Bohetang Pu-Erh (China)
- Pu-Erh Tea Shou: Zouji and Yunnan Tea Co., Tuocha Shou (China)
Honorable Mention
Most Innovative Tea: Lumbini Tea Valley (Sri Lanka), Silver Feathers
Grand Prize Winner
Best Overall Tea: Lumbini Tea Valley (Sri Lanka), Silver Feathers
World Tea Expo Insights
The World Tea Expo aims to create a dynamic platform for industry professionals, suppliers, and tea lovers globally. It combines innovative concepts and trends with networking and educational opportunities in the ever-growing tea sector. The expo is a part of the Questex Hospitality Division, which also encompasses other notable events and publications.
About Questex
Questex focuses on enhancing lives through its diverse portfolio in hospitality and wellness, life science, healthcare, and associated technologies. Aligning with the experience economy, Questex connects its community through live events, data insights, and digital networks.
For More Information
To learn more about the Global Tea Championship and the World Tea Expo, visit World Tea Expo.