FOCUSED TASTING

Understand the specifics and appreciate the world class potential of African orthodox teas (also and esp. whites and oolongs), contrasting to CTCs.
Critically analyze the quality, the strong and weak points of an African orthodox tea in comparison to other regions.
Identify on a “cup level”, some influences of the production parameters (withering, hand rolling, oxidation time, pan frying) onto the flavour of the final product.
Understand on a “tea roots levels” the production conditions of African teas and be sensitized to the gendered perspective of their manufacture.
Distinguish, on a “sales level” the reality and propaganda w.r.t. the models of “direct trade” and “fair trade” in the tea sector, understand the role of tea in colonial history, present African agriculture and export economy.



FOCUSED TASTING – Africa
Speaker: Alexander Eichener, Esq., Kanzlei am Justizzentrum, Brüggemann & Eichener

	The hidden treasures: while almost every branded teabag is anonymously inhabited by African CTCs, few people know their rare orthodox counterparts. This tasting will show the variety and the immense future potential of orthodox top teas from an almost unexplored tea continent, which is much more colourful than just “black”.

	By the end of this session you will be able to:
		Understand the specifics and appreciate the world class potential of African orthodox teas (also and esp. whites and oolongs), contrasting to CTCs. Critically analyze the quality, the strong and weak points of an African orthodox tea in comparison to other regions. Identify on a “cup level”, some influences of the production parameters (withering, hand rolling, oxidation time, pan frying) onto the flavour of the final product. Understand on a “tea roots levels” the production conditions of African teas and be sensitized to the gendered perspective of their manufacture. Distinguish, on a “sales level” the reality and propaganda w.r.t. the models of “direct trade” and “fair trade” in the tea sector, understand the role of tea in colonial history, present African agriculture and export economy.


Alexander Eichener, Esq.
Kanzlei am Justizzentrum, Brüggemann & Eichener

	Alexander Eichener came to tea from a background in wine tasting and wine writing; being raised by a mother and an aunt who were perfumers may have helped his nose. He studied the laws, history, medieval latin and islamology, in Tübingen and Heidelberg, did research in Berkeley, and after formative years in Academia, now earns his living legally in Germany (specialized in administrative law and judicial review). Specific to tea, he has written before in Kenyan print and online papers, and he now also dabbles himself in a bit of rather amateurish (but delightful) tea-making. Personal puzzle pieces: He believes in the potential and the great future of Africa and Africans, and is always surprised how small the world has become today. When he doesn’t read, he devours all kinds of sweets and pastry, German and Austrian white wines, music from Gregorian Chant to Tori Amos and K.T. Tunstall, poetry from Baudri de Bourgeuil and prose from Pat Califia.