Loose-leaf tea resurging in popularity

There's no mistaking it tea is the new "it" drink.

We're not talking about the old bags of orange pekoe; the world of tea is expanding.

• Rising tea sales drive profits for beverage chains
• Why is matcha suddenly in everything?

There are many gourmet loose-leaf tea shops in shopping mallsand tea parties regularly make the entertainment listings in the Lower Mainland.

MichaelMenashythrows some of those parties with his companyTea Sparrow.

A professional ceramic artist by trade,Menashyhas gone from making the cups to now making the tea.

"Tea is one of those things where it's a process.You can't rush it.

"You've just got to wait through the process and I often find it's a time of reflection for me during this."

Watch the video New ways to ice tea from CBC TV's Our Vancouver to find out more about the "Iced Tea-Off" happening this weekend at the Heritage Hall on Main Street.