WHO: Last year, tea aficionados Ian Trask ’28 and Eme Dorsey ’28 felt that Haverford could use a recurring klatch for their tea-loving peers, from novices to seasoned sippers, to explore the vast world of steeped beverages together. The result is the Tea Tasting Club, one of the College’s newest student-run organizations. Trask, who has been drinking tea since his mother began bringing back exotic varieties back from her global travels, says he has long dreamed of starting a tea club. Dorsey, who discovered a love of tea during the pandemic, figured the club would be a good way to meet new people and taste new flavors.
WHAT: The club meets about every two weeks during the academic year to discuss and sample the ethically sourced teas it acquires online or from Ardmore’s The Head Nut. Typically, about 20 Fords turn out to fill their cups with brews of three different flavors, from classics like Earl Grey and Irish breakfast to more unique offerings, like the blue-hued indigo punch. The club’s future plans include exploring iced varieties in warmer months and educating about the art of tea-making.
WHERE: Most events are held in VCAM 102 thanks to its fireplace and generally cozy atmosphere. The club also uses other campus locations, like the Skate House, when available.
WHY: In addition to introducing Fords to different teas, the club seeks to foster a greater sense of community on campus. Trask’s and Dorsey’s focus extends beyond the kettle to raising awareness of tea’s colonial history and the social impacts surrounding its production. “We do our research when we buy our teas,” says Trask, “and talk about how colonialism, child labor, and bad labor practices are continuing problems in many areas where tea is grown.”