Whether it’s for medicinal or recreational use, tea is one of the most consumed hot beverages worldwide. In 2017 the global tea market was valued at almost US 50 billions dollars and it is expected to exceed US 73 billion dollars by 2024.

Certainly, European traders in the 16^th century knew they were onto something great when they introduced tea leaves from China to the continent. Only growing in popularity, tea remains not only a preferred beverage to sip but a wise investment choice in Europe.

The Caribbean Export Development Agency has created a unique opportunity for European buyers and distributers interested in natural teas from the Caribbean to be introduced to export ready tea brands at the upcoming 4^th CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum.

Slated for September 26 to 28 at the Union Halle, Frankfurt, Germany the high profile event will be hosted by Caribbean Export in collaboration with the European Commission and the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ).

Over 150 Caribbean and European counterparts will get the unique opportunity to meet under one roof to discover tantalizing Caribbean products and services as well as network and build international partnerships. The purpose is to help companies from 15 CARIFORUM countries start or increase exports to Europe.

Caribbean Cure, the award-winning tea company from Trinidad and Tobago, is one of the natural ingredient companies seeking to get its tasty and earthy concoctions sold in Europe.

Brewing nothing but pure natural Caribbean goodness, owners Sophia Stone and Stacy Seeterram were inspired by tradition to produce five deliciously healthy infusions.

The brews pleased more than just the palates of family and friends. In fact, Caribbean Cure has been recognized as producers of world class teas.  In 2017 and 2018 the company won bronze for its Tropical Relaxation blend and its Island Breeze blend respectively at the Global Tea Championships hosted by the World Tea Expo in Colorado.

And if that wasn’t impressive enough, Caribbean Cure was shortlisted for a SIAL Paris 2018 Product Innovation award in the prestigious SIAL Innovation Contest, the world’s largest Food and Beverage Exhibition.

The secret is in the process. The tea leaves are slow dried to maximize nutrient content. Each blend offers a delicate balance formulated to create a memorable and unique experience in every cup, Stacy Seeterram explained.

Co-owner Sophia Stone added, I wanted to honour our long history in the Caribbean of using herbs and bush teas. Backed by science, my goal was to make these healing remedies more efficacious, convenient and attractive to today’s consumer.

Also headed to Frankfurt, Germany in September is Shavuot, a Jamaican brand of exotic teas made from local leaves, seeds and roots such as carassee, ginger, moringa and turmeric.

Owned by Richard Harris and his two sons, Joel and Jordan Harris, the trio decided to produce value added products from crops grown on the family’s farm. Shavuot, which means harvesting goodness, is sold in approximately 15 countries.  The family produces thousands of cases of tea each month, with 90 per cent being shipped overseas and the remainder sold in Jamaica.

For buyers interested in sourcing Caribbean teas, the 4^th CARIFORUM Business Forum is the only place to be from September 26 to 28.