"Teas have a breadth of taste experiences and caffeine levels that can carry you from your first Zoom meeting of the morning to your last sip before sleep."
Certified Tea Sommelier Michael Prini created Blink Tea as a reflection of you - at home or work, kicking with friends, at the gym, checking out an art show or your kid’s first wobbly hockey game. A contemporary spin on a tasty indulgence that makes your world an even better place - in a Blink.
How do you see the industry in 6 months? Where do you see yourself in 6 months?
MP: In the next 6 months I see the tea industry continue to develop and introduce exciting new teas and tea-related products. Even though tea has been around for 5000 years, we are constantly discovering innovative ways to enjoy the world’s most drunk beverage after water.
Often positive changes can arise from hardship, What would you like to see come out of 2020?
MP: Out of the hardship that we’ve seen come from 2020, I would like to see a renewed creative entrepreneurial spirit. Not only in launching new companies and services, but in how we deliver an authentic and relevant experience to the customer. Empathy and gratitude will also float much closer to the surface, a reset that I hope benefits everyone.
What have you been doing to stay creative?
MP: I’ve been deep diving into new ways to incorporate teas and herbals into your life. Teas have a breadth of taste experiences and caffeine levels that can carry you from your first Zoom meeting of the morning to your last sip before sleep. I’ve been mixing teas and herbals into cold brews and cocktails, splashes, smoothies you name it - even baking. Tea is so healthy for you and it’s so versatile. Anybody who’s cool drinks tea;)
What can we, the people of Toronto, do to help?
MP: Simply put, we can support local. Toronto is in the enviable position of having long welcomed people from around the world to share their culinary traditions, their passions and their stories. And it’s all at our fingertips. We’re incredible lucky to have this, and we should continue to celebrate and take delicious advantage of it.
Who is someone who is doing something you love right now and why?
MP: Rather than one person, it’s many. And I mean business owners. I love, love, love the creative ways we’re facing up to an unprecedented challenge. Pivoting, teaming up, pulling out all the stops to offer something new to the customer or guest experience. It makes my heart swell.
Look out for Blink Tea this fall at Toronto Food Film Fest. Oct 16-25th, 2020.