Crystal McCollom is a certified tea sommelier.
The Sudburian took eight courses in Toronto with the Tea and Herbal Association of Canada, learning the ins and outs of the tea business.
Almost four years ago now, McCollom set up her own business, Special Moments Teas. She holds tea tastings and education sessions for groups, and also sells tea through her stall at the local farmer's market in the summer.
“The first time I went down there (for a course), I thought 'How can anyone talk about tea for more than one day?'” said McCollom, who by day works as the regional acquired brain injury system navigator with March of Dimes Canada.
“Eight courses later — and it's a couple of days per course — I realize I'm at the beginning of knowing about the tea business.”
She said she first got interested in tea years ago during a trip to Ottawa's Byward Market, when she visited a large tea store.
“I was just so impressed by it all, to see all these different types of teas I never knew really existed,” McCollom said.
“That experience was kept in the back of my mind for a couple years. I thought 'Boy, I'd like to get into this.' But at the time, I didn't know enough about it, and I didn't want to get into it without the education.”
Tea is trendy right now, McCollom said, pointing to the two large tea stores in the New Sudbury Centre.
If you're only familiar with tea bags, she suggests branching out to loose-leaf tea and tasting the difference. It's the same thing as purchasing specialized coffee beans — there's many different kinds from all over the world.
What's generally referred to as tea is actually a plant called camillia sinensis, and its variant, camillia sinensis assamica.
From these plants come many different types of teas, including white tea, yellow tea, green tea, black tea and pu-erh tea.
That last one is a highly prized variety of aged, fermented tea that is a favourite of McCollom's because of its smooth taste.
“World leaders have often been presented with a little bit of pu-erh tea that's been fermented 50 years plus,” she said.
McCollom said she has some samples of pu-erh tea from the '90s, and sells a variety that's been aged five years.
What we know as herbal tea isn't actually a tea, it's a tisane, McCollom says — her favourite variety is honeybush.
In terms of health benefits, tea has the ability to keep your mind alert, but also relax you at the same time, she said.
“The thing about tea that really captured my imagination is the drama,” she said.
“Tea history goes back over 3,000 years … It's been responsible for a lot of wars. It's been responsible for countries becoming independent, like the Boston Tea Party.”
If you're interested in setting up a tea tasting and education session with McCollom, or purchasing some tea, email her at [email protected] or phone her at 705-207-9460.
