Hear Philly: Something Special Brewing At Coffee And Tea Festival Philly

By Andrew Kramer

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – What could be better than enjoying a nice cup of coffee or tea in the morning? How about enjoying dozens of them throughout the day?

That's exactly what people will be doing November 8th and 9th at the Coffee & Tea Festival Philly.

"It's a tasting event for all things coffee and tea-related," explains the event's manager, Kristyn Dolan. "So we'll have over 40 different exhibitors displaying or showcasing their coffees and teas from around the country and also around the world."

The event began in New York City almost a decade ago, and Dolan says based on its popularity there, they wanted to expand:

"We have had events in the Philadelphia area and realized that there is a market for this, so we brought the Coffee & Tea Festival Philly to the Oaks area — the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center — last year, so this will be our second year hosting the festival (in Philadelphia)."

As is the case in most food or beverage festivals, you start in one spot and make your way around, in this case tasting the different coffees and teas available, but Dolan says that's not all this festival has to offer:

"There'll also be some sweet treats and savory delights mixed in. There will also be products that are related to coffee and tea, for example, soaps that are made with coffee or tea ware that you can make your brew or make your tea in. And then there'll also be other items that are totally unrelated to give people some mix up of all the coffees and tea."

Enjoying the Coffee and Tea fest! (Credit: Karl Mischler)

Among the dozens of items that will be available for sampling, Dolan says some you'll likely be familiar with, and others you may be enjoying for the first time:

"We have a lot of blended teas, for example, Capital Teas, which is starting to release their holiday blend. We'll be having, for example, Figgy Puddings, so something that resembles what Figgy Pudding is around Christmas time and that is a blended tea. Then you'll have more of the specific green, black white teas that are available for the purist out there."

Dolan says this event should appeal to anyone and everyone:

"For those who are tea and coffee enthusiasts — you know a little more than the average person — you'll be able to find different products and learn about different products that are available to you. But if you are just a beginner level knowledge of coffee and tea, this will enable you to learn more about what you're drinking."

Programs will also be available that both the regular coffee and tea connoisseur as well as the casual sippers can enjoy.

"For example Roasting 101 and how different roasts develop a different flavor profile," says Dolan. "We'll also be doing a KIND bar and tea pairing, a chocolate and tea and there will be other programs."

Basically, Dolan says, it's the perfect place for one price to try as many coffees and teas as you desire, without having to purchase them first, which of course you can do before you leave.

The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days and as a bonus, the first 1,000 attendees each day get a free gift bag.

For more information, visit the Coffee & Tea Festival website.

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