Five Delicious Sips: An interview with Shari Linton, Founder of Shari's Tea
On April 1st and 2nd, Leisurely members will have the opportunity to taste, pair, and blend their own custom tea under the guidance of Shari Linton, the Founder & CEO of Shari’s Tea. Shari’s journey into building her tea brand has taken some interesting career turns, and not just because (spoiler alert) she worked for a major airline.
We chatted with Shari in advance of her upcoming classes to learn more about tea blending traditions, the appeal of smoked-bbq smelling tea, and why sharing tea drinking experiences with others might be the most important aspect of it all to consider.
Can you tell us more about your professional background and why you decided to turn your love of tea into an educational experience our Leisurely members have the pleasure of attending?
I am a practicing tax attorney with a background in finance and accounting. I’m of Jamaican descent (former British colony) and grew up drinking hot tea. I rarely drink tea straight, because I enjoy making custom blends. I started making one of favorite blends for friends called lavender haze, which consists of peppermint tea, lavender petals, and hibiscus. This is one of our best selling teas on Shari’s Tea I realized that I have a knack for making tea blends and decided to share my knowledge with others. Leisurely members will enjoy Shari’s Tea Tasting and Blending Class because they will be in an intimate setting and have the chance to not only learn about tea, but taste various blends, and be inspired to create their own custom tea blend.
As a former aviation analyst, what are some of the most memorable tea drinking experiences you’ve had traveling the world?
Some of my most memorable tea drinking experiences has nothing to do with where I was and everything to do with who I was with. For me, tea drinking is enjoyed best in a social setting. One of my favorite people in the world is my aunt who lives in London. She a petite woman who is elegant but fierce. She took me to have afternoon tea at the prestigious Fortnum and Mason in London. We spoke about everything under the sun, ate mini sandwiches and laughed until the restaurant was about to close. We didn’t want the moment to end. That was one of my most memorable tea drinking experiences.
Your Leisurely experience centers around a tea tasting. Can you share a few details about what our members should keep in mind regarding flavor profiles and pairings when it comes to the different varieties of tea?
During the class we will teach you about the history of tea, the various types of tea, and flavor profile pairing. The only thing we ask is that you come with an open mind and a willingness to try different teas that you might not try on your own. For example, we encourage students to create blends with a Lapsang Souchong– smoked black tea. The smoked barbeque-like smell will captivate you. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Members are also going to have the chance to create their own custom tea blend as part of their experience. Why do you think tea blending is a fun practice to teach others?
Tea blending is a tradition as old as time, practiced in various cultures. In our class we will talk about the benefits of tea blending and walk you through our selection of added ingredients like ginger for digestion, elderberries for immunity, turmeric for anti-inflammatory benefits, and much more. Our blending class allows you to share ideas and stories with others and explore the benefits of tea blending in your own personal way. Each tea blend is unique to you and that’s the best part about the class – taking home a custom creation that is made just for you and what your body needs.
If there is one piece of information Leisurely members should think about to make the most of this experience, what would you like them to know before attending?
All we ask is that you come with an open mind, a willingness to learn, and socialize with others. We all become fast friends during each class and generally take a group photo afterwards. Tea drinking is fun, and we encourage you to have fun during the class.
To enjoy this Leisurely experience with Shari Linton and take home your very own custom tea blend, make sure to reserve a ticket in advance by following the link here.