8:45 – 9:30   Registration & Entry   

9:30 – 9:40   Introduction ··················································································· BTF Team + t-Magazin + Main Sponsor

9:45 – 10:45   Marketing   ||   Project Presentation and Case Study Analysis with Participants ························································································································ Thomas Grömer Founder & CEO, AIYA Europe GmbH & Teepapst GmbH

10:55 – 11:15   Biochemistry   ||   How are flavor and mouthfeel created? -- The Biochemical Secrets of the Eight Tea Characteristics  ······························································································································································· Jing Huan Founder & CEO, Teascom Co., Ltd.

In this lecture, we will explore the eight essential characteristics of tea: freshness, aroma, bitterness, astringency, body, depth, smoothness, and sweetness. We will delve into the biochemical mechanisms behind these traits and explain how they interact to shape tea's unique flavor and mouthfeel. 

11:25 – 11:45   Cultivation & Processing   ||   Moychay Georgia Experimental Tea Production ··································································································· Sergey Shevelev Founder & Director, Moychay Nederland BV. 

Sergey will share his insights on tea production in Georgia, highlighting how he integrated Chinese technology and the innovative experiments conducted at his factory. Participants will also have the chance to taste his experimental semi-fermented Georgian tea, produced in July 2024.

11:45 – 12:00   Tea Break   ||   B2B Exchange, Tea Tasting, and Networking ·······································································

12:00 – 12:30   Cultivation & Women's Rights   ||   Fair Tea and Herb Farming in Tanzania ··························· Tahira Nizari Founder, Kazi Yetu

Women & economic inclusion across the tea value chain: a case study of Tanzania. How Kazi Yetu is transforming the way that tea (and herbs/spices) are being farmed, processed, packed, and traded, redistributing economic gain to the farmers, especially women. Kazi Yetu partnered directly with a farmer-cooperative in Usambara Mountains, Tanzania, to co-establish an orthodox tea processing facility. All profits of this joint venture are distributed amongst the farmers. This is the future for traceability, impact, and inclusive growth. 

12:40 – 13:00   Regional Economic Development   ||   Cultivation & Production of Wakocha (Black Tea) in Minamata, Japan ········································································································································································ Kazuko Otsuka Founder, Wanoka Tea

The past few years, Wakocha has been attracting attention in Europe. Among them, Kumamoto Prefecture is one of the birthplaces of Wakocha. The Minamata and Ashikita regions are large production areas that account for 70% of Kumamoto Prefecture's share of Wakocha. There are famous tea farmers in Japan and abroad called four Heavenly Kings, represented by Kajihara, a tea company that won Best in Show at The Leafies 2022 in England. Their efforts and the local government are working together to create the "Kyushu Wakocha Summit in Minamata". Tea sommelier Kazuko Otsuka will give a presentation on the Wakocha making workshop and tea garden tour held. 

13:00 – 13:10   Water   ||   An Explosion of Flavor with the Optimal Water! ····················································· Wasserhaus Deutschland

13:10 – 14:00   ························   Lunch break with finger food buffet, B2B Exchange, Tea Tasting   ·····································

13:30 – 14:00   Piano Break   || Tea and Piano  ·············································································  Bastian Crocq, Pianist, tea enthusiast, France

14:00 – 14:30   Cultural History & The Art of Living   ||   Comparing Tea Cultures: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives  ······················································································································································ Peter Lee CEO, Kien Yu Tea & Dr. Po-An, Chen

From  Tea, Tee, The, Te to Cay, Cha and Chai  -  A brief compilation of tea cultures,  tea productions and enchanting tea experiences.

1. Tea Culture: Taiwanese Tea Celebration vs Japanese Tea Ceremongy; 
2. Tea Production:  Secret between non-oxidized tea and full Oxidized tea,
3. Tea Experience: Balancing among tea tasting, philosophy and a sanctuary to recharge. 

15:30 – 15:45   Tea Culture Research & Gender Studies   ||   How Tea Influences Gender Roles in China  ············································································································································ Yujia Xu Human Geographer, Founder of Identi'Tea, England

Gendered Tea Geographies -- "Yunnan is the birthplace of both tea and me. My upbringing with tea has profoundly influenced my identity and research interests. With fifteen years of experience as a practitioner of Chinese tea culture, I am genuinely passionate about exploring how tea is crafted and enjoyed and its role in shaping diverse social and cultural identities, particularly through a feminist lens."

15:45 – 16:15   Piano Break   || Tea and Piano   ············································································  Bastian Crocq, Pianist, tea enthusiast, France

16:15 – 16:35   Purchasing & Quality   ||   Reflections & Experiences in Tea Purchasing  ··································································································································· Kaspar Lange CEO, Länggass-Tee Familie Lange AG, Switzerland 

Originality and quality, challenges in tea purchasing, criteria for evaluating tea, purchasing philosophy, and decision-making.

 16:45 – 17:05    Ceramic Art & Cultural History   ||   The Unique Tea Ceramics of the Czech Republic ············································································································································· Jiri Melzer Founder, tea experience, Germany

Czech Tea Ceramics: Origins and Distinctive Features. -- This presentation explores the origins and distinctive characteristics of Czech ceramics, along with the history of Czech tea houses. Renowned artists such as Jiri Duchek, Jan Pavek, Jaroslav Marek, Martin Hanus, Ales Dancak, Jan Jansky, and Jiri Lang will be introduced, highlighting their unique styles and contributions.

17:05 – 17:20   Tea Break   ||   B2B Exchange, Tea Tasting, and Networking ································································································

 17:20 – 18:20    Panel Discussion  ||   Tea Tourism & Tea Travel ······················································ Olaf Tarmas and Guests

The range of tea tours is growing, as is their popularity and importance for many tea regions around the world. Experts will discuss the current developments in this sector.

18:30 – 19:30   Networking with Discussion Round ····································································································