Chesterfield’s Northern Tea Merchants host the South Korean Tea Masters
12 South Korean Tea Masters chose Northern Tea Merchants on Chatsworth Road, Chesterfield, for a stop on their recent tea tour of the UK.
Northern Tea Merchants was just one of a number of stops on the tea tour for the students which was organised by the internationally renowned tea master, Professor JD Park, who is Director of the Beverage Masters Association, Founder of T-World and even a judge in the World Tea Competition. Other stops in the visit included Twinings’ London and Woburn Abbey for a special afternoon tea in The Duchess’ Tea Room.
As part of their visit to Chesterfield, Director of Northern Tea Merchants, James Pogson who is also President of the UK Tea & Infusions Association, gave a guided tour of the 58-year old company’s blending room and tea packing operation which is located behind the company’s shop and café on Chatsworth Road.
Northern Tea Merchants Ltd is an expanding third generation family business of Tea Bag Manufacturers, Coffee Roasters and Packers of Teas, Coffees and Gourmet Chocolate Products. They employ 27 local people, making approx 100 million tea bags per year and roasting some 300 tonnes of coffee per year including about 6% of the UK’s Fairtrade Organic Coffee.
Ensuring a true Derbyshire experience, as part of the visit, the Korean Tea Masters were treated to a cup of English Breakfast Tea and an internationally famous Bakewell Tart in The Pekoe Café at Northern Tea Merchants.
James said of the visit:-
‘I’ve known Professor JD Park professionally since 2013 when he looked after me on a couple of visits to South Korea and during the World Tea Competition, so it was an absolute delight to be able to return the favour and entertain him and his students’ during their visit to the UK.
“It was excellent to have so many tea professionals in one place. They were all so appreciative of the tour and talk and it was a pleasure to give everyone a sample of our teas to remind them of their visit to Chesterfield and our Crooked Spire!”
