USLTG Tea Evaluation Platform (TeaManity.us)

Our Beginning

Tea is not native to this land—but it has found a home here.

Across the United States, from South to North, from misty Appalachian hills to the mountains of California, a quiet movement is taking shape. Growers, makers, and dreamers are cultivating tea not just as a crop, but as a relationship—with land, climate, and culture.

We are still early in this journey.
There are no long-established traditions to follow, no fixed standards to rely on.

So we are building them—together.

Our Purpose

The USLTG Tea Evaluation Platform was created to support this emerging ecosystem.

Our purpose is simple:

  • To support tea growers in understanding and improving their craft
  • To define American tea terroir through real examples and shared knowledge
  • To establish clear, transparent evaluation standards
  • To recognize quality and craftsmanship
  • To connect a growing tea community across the country

This is not a competition in the traditional sense.
It is a living system—open, evolving, and grounded in collaboration.

How It Works

We have designed a simple, transparent logistics model that anyone can follow.

1. Submit Your Tea

Growers submit tea samples through our platform.

  • Standardized submission guidelines ensure fairness
  • A modest evaluation fee supports operations and panel work
  • Each tea is registered as part of a growing national record

This step transforms individual effort into shared knowledge.

2. Evaluation

Teas are reviewed by a diverse panel of experienced growers, practitioners, and contributors.

  • Evaluation is based on clear, shared criteria (inspired by ISO standards as a baseline)
  • Emphasis is placed on:
    • Appearance
    • Aroma
    • Taste
    • Craftsmanship
  • Feedback is constructive and transparent

This is not about ranking alone—it is about understanding quality.

3. Recognition

Outstanding teas are acknowledged through the platform.

  • Recognition highlights craft, regional expression, and innovation
  • Results are shared publicly to elevate visibility
  • Over time, this builds a reference point for American tea quality

Recognition here is not just an award—it is a contribution to a larger story.

4. Connection

Every submission becomes part of a growing ecosystem.

  • Teas are linked to origin, grower, and terroir
  • Participants connect with peers across regions
  • Knowledge flows back into the community through:
    • Roundtables
    • Shared results
    • Open discussions

Our Perspective

We believe that:

  • Tea quality is shaped by land, climate, and human intention
  • There is no single “correct” expression of tea in the U.S.
  • Standards should guide, not restrict
  • Transparency builds trust
  • Community builds resilience

Most importantly, we believe that the future of American tea will not be defined by one region or one voice—but by many.

Our Roots

This initiative grows from the work of the US League for Tea Growers (USLTG), a community dedicated to supporting tea cultivation across the United States.

We honor past efforts—such as early national evaluations—and continue forward with a broader, more inclusive vision focused on the continental U.S. and its diverse growing conditions.

Looking Ahead

This is only the beginning. As the platform grows, it may evolve to:

  • Open participation beyond membership
  • Develop regional terroir classifications
  • Establish long-term reference standards
  • Support research and breeding efforts
  • Create a shared identity for U.S. tea

But at its core, it will remain the same:

A place where tea is not only evaluated—
but understood, shared, and grown together.

Join Us

Whether you are a grower, a maker, or simply someone who cares about tea—

You are part of this story.

Join the Conversation