Calm Glow

Case Studies

Michelin Restaurant Tea Sourcing and Menu Enhancement

For a Michelin-starred restaurant in Chicago (inspired by Oriole’s collaboration with Rare Tea Cellar), we sourced rare teas like oversized cinnamon sticks from Anhui, China, and wild fraises de bois-infused blends from Malaga, Spain. This direct procurement reduced costs by 15% while enabling a curated tea menu with 10+ pairings, including genmaicha for seafood courses. Result: Guest satisfaction rose 35%, with tea sales contributing 20% to beverage revenue, aligning with the chef’s innovative tasting menus.

A beige paper package with vertical brown panels on either side, featuring text in Chinese and English. The front includes an illustration of scattered beans and specific details indicating a type of tea.

RTD Product Design and Launch

Partnering with a startup (similar to Siena Development’s RTD tea concentrate project), we redesigned a fresh-brewed green tea line into a scalable concentrate, preserving authentic flavor while qualifying for “brewed tea” labeling. Using ethical Asian estates, we incorporated zero-sugar variants with lavender and chamomile for wellness appeal. Outcome: Manufacturing costs dropped 25%, market share grew 85% in the first year (echoing C2 Cool & Clean’s redesign success), and the product launched in 50+ retail outlets with a 7.31% CAGR projection.

A lush, green tea plantation with rows of tea plants in the foreground. Tall trees with dense foliage provide shade, filtering sunlight and creating a dappled pattern on the ground. The scene conveys tranquility and natural beauty.

Hotel Staff Tea Training Program

At a luxury hotel chain (modeled on Hope & Glory Tea Academy’s sessions for London properties), we delivered 2-hour workshops for 50 staff, covering brewing techniques, guest presentation, and pairing (e.g., oolong with dim sum). Including tastings and mystery diner audits, the program emphasized ethical sourcing. Impact: Staff confidence increased 40%, guest feedback on tea service improved 30%, and turnover fell 20%, mirroring Marriott’s e-learning gains in hospitality training.

A cup of tea is placed on a white saucer atop a polished wooden table. The cup features a logo for Kelani Valley Plantations. Beyond the glass windows, there is a view of green trees and a wooden railing indicating an outdoor landscape.

Hotel Tea Bag Supply Optimization

For a mid-tier hotel group (drawing from Twinings’ B&B supply model), we supplied 144-unit deluxe wooden compartment boxes with pyramid tea bags—10 blends in recyclable packaging, including English Breakfast and chamomile. This included inventory tracking and seasonal updates. Benefits: Costs per unit dropped 10%, in-room tea usage rose 25% (reducing waste via portioned sachets), and guest ratings for amenities hit 4.8/5, enhancing the “English tradition” stay as seen in UK hotel partnerships.

Gallery

Explore our curated tea experiences.

A close-up of vibrant green tea leaves with a backdrop of a clear blue sky and fluffy white clouds. The bright sunlight highlights the fresh, glossy texture of the leaves. In the distance, a silhouette of mountain ranges can be seen.
A close-up of vibrant green tea leaves with a backdrop of a clear blue sky and fluffy white clouds. The bright sunlight highlights the fresh, glossy texture of the leaves. In the distance, a silhouette of mountain ranges can be seen.
A hand holding a box of Dilmah Ceylon Tea, prominently displayed against a background of high-rise buildings under a cloudy sky. The tea box is dark green with images of tea leaves and a small cup of tea, containing details about the tea blend.
Two colorful tea packages labeled 'TEACORA' are placed on a luxurious blue satin fabric. Nearby, there are two pine cones and a tea bag in a black dish. The scene is set on a dark wooden surface, creating a contrast with the vibrant colors of the products.