Awards distributed at World Tea Expo
The 2025 Global Tea Championship (GTC) winners were officially announced at the World Tea Expo Awards Ceremony, produced by Questex, on Tuesday, March 25 in Las Vegas. This prestigious competition, which recognizes the highest quality teas from around the globe, celebrated the best in tea production across multiple categories, including matcha and leaf teas.
The World Tea Expo unites industry professionals, tea suppliers, and tea enthusiasts from around the world. Blending fresh ideas, the latest trends and new distribution channels with focused buying, selling, networking, technology and education.
The event showcased a remarkable array of teas, honoring excellence in leaf appearance, cup character, innovation, and overall 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,” said 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.”
The 2025 Global Tea Championship awards took place at the World Tea Expo, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center March 24–26, 2025.
Complete 2025 Global Tea Championship Winners List:
MATCHA
ORIGIN AWARDS
Certificates for the best matcha from producing origin
Japan – Japanese Green Tea Co., Ceremonial Matcha
Korea – Prometheus/Grin Mood, Ceremonial Matcha
SUPERIOR AWARDS
Awarded for the best leaf profile & best cup character
Best Ground Leaf Profile – Japanese Green Tea Co., Ceremonial Matcha
Best Cup Character – Japanese Green Tea Co., Ceremonial Matcha
PREMIUM AWARD
Awarded for the best matcha in type
Best Ceremonial - Japanese Green Tea Co.
Best Culinary – Newby Teas
GRAND PRIZE
Awarded for the overall best matcha
Ceremonial Matcha - Japanese Green Tea Co. (Japan)
LEAF TEAS
ORIGIN AWARDS
Certificates for the best tea from each producing origin
• 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
Awarded for the best leaf profile & best cup character
SUPERIOR LEAF
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 (Joint winner) – Seven Teahouse, Golden Spring Pu’erh-shou
Pu-erh Tea (Joint winner) – Orientaleaf, Golden Flower Fuzhuan-Shou
SUPERIOR LIQUOR
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
Awarded for the best in each tea type
• 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 AWARD
Awarded for the most innovative tea
• White Tea – Lumbini Tea Valley (Sri Lanka), Silver Feathers
GRAND PRIZE AWARD
Awarded for the best overall tea
• Lumbini Tea Valley (Sri Lanka), Silver Feathers
For more information about the World Tea Expo and the Global Tea Championship, please visit www.worldteaexpo.com