January 29, 2026 | UC Davis Conference Center, Davis, California
We are honored to share our experience at the prestigious 11th Annual Global Tea Institute Colloquium, held at UC Davis on January 29, 2026. As one of seven tea vendors personally invited by Professor Katharine Burnett, Founding Director of the Global Tea Institute, we had the privilege of showcasing our innovative Cyclocarya paliurus (Cpa) tea blends to the international tea community.
About the Global Tea Institute and Its Visionary Founder
The UC Davis Global Tea Institute (GTI) represents a unique achievement in academic tea research. Founded in 2015 by Professor Katharine Burnett, GTI is the world’s first and only institution dedicated to promoting evidence-based research and teaching across all dimensions of tea—from agriculture and health sciences to humanities, social sciences, and industry perspectives.
The Origin Story: From Teapots to a Global Institute
Professor Burnett, an Art History professor and former Director of the Program for East Asian Studies at UC Davis, founded GTI following a chance conversation in 2012 with award-winning Librarian Axel Borg and world-renowned food expert Darrell Corti. When Corti asked, “Why doesn’t UC Davis study tea?” Burnett realized this aligned perfectly with her long-standing research interest in why Yixing-ware teapots suddenly shrank in size during the late Ming dynasty in 17th-century China.
What began as a research cluster of 12 faculty members has grown into an institute with over 40 faculty, librarians, staff, and students across disciplines. Today, GTI’s annual colloquium attracts between 400 and 800 participants from around the world, making it one of the most significant gatherings in global tea studies.
This Year’s Scholarly Focus
The 11th Annual Colloquium theme, “The Art of Tea in Culture and Science, Society and Health,” examined the artful ways tea is understood across disciplines and within the tea industry. For the first time in GTI’s history, all presenting scholars were UC Davis affiliated, including Professor Burnett herself, who shared her decade-long research on “The Marvelously Extraordinary, Inventively Original Late Ming Teapot.”
The day-long program featured distinguished presentations from:
- Jean-Xavier Guinard, Professor of Sensory Science and Consumer Research, presenting “The Global Tea Institute’s Tea Flavor Wheel”
- Thiago Braga, PhD candidate in Anthropology, discussing “How China-Taiwan Tensions Re-Made Traditional Chinese Tea Culture”
- Sze-Wai Alex Ng, UCD Visiting Scholar, sharing “From ‘Plant-to-Package’: The Power of Absorption Experience in Experiential Marketing”
- An Industry Panel moderated by Dan Bolton, Founder and Publisher of Tea Journey Magazine and host of Tea Biz Blog/Podcast
GO Sweets’ Showcase: One of Seven Invited Tea Vendors
As one of seven tea companies personally invited by Professor Katharine Burnett to exhibit at this prestigious event, GO Sweets LLC was honored to present our products to the global tea community. Our exhibition booth, located in the venue’s outer area alongside other carefully selected tea vendors, provided a dedicated space for attendees to discover and taste our unique Cyclocarya paliurus-based teas throughout the day’s registration, tea tabling sessions, and breaks.
This invitation reflects GTI’s commitment to bridging academic research with industry innovation. By featuring select tea companies that bring unique perspectives and products to the market, Professor Burnett and GTI created valuable opportunities for dialogue between scholars, industry professionals, and tea enthusiasts.
Introducing DueTea to American Tea Merchants
Our flagship product, DueTea—a naturally sweet blend of 70% organic black tea and 30% Cyclocarya paliurus leaves—attracted significant interest from American tea merchants specializing in retail distribution and restaurant wholesale. The booth became a hub for meaningful conversations about bringing this traditional Chinese botanical to American consumers in innovative ways.
Apart from DueTea, our other product ShunTea, pure Black Tea, as well as organic premium Matcha also attracted many attendees.
What Made DueTea Stand Out?
Natural Sweetness Without Added Sugar: In a market increasingly focused on health-conscious alternatives, DueTea offers a unique solution for consumers looking to reduce refined sugar consumption while still enjoying a naturally sweet tea experience.
Smooth, Forgiving Profile: One of the most appreciated characteristics noted by tea professionals was DueTea’s resistance to bitterness, even after extended steeping. This makes it exceptionally user-friendly for both retail customers and restaurant settings where consistency matters.
Ginseng-like Aftertaste: The Cyclocarya paliurus leaves contribute a distinctive, sophisticated flavor profile that appeals to both traditional tea enthusiasts and health-conscious consumers.
Our Product Range on Display
We showcased three key product lines at the colloquium:
DueTea (70/30 Blend): Our signature naturally sweet black tea blend, available in both four-corner paper sachets and pyramid corn fiber biodegradable bags
Shun Tea (Pure Cpa Leaves): Premium dried Cyclocarya paliurus leaves from the Emperor Shun Mountain range in Hunan, China
- Shun #1: Traditional four-corner paper sachet (2g)
- Shun #2: Pyramid-style corn fiber biodegradable bag (3g)
Black Tea: Organic wild Chinese black originates in ancient Mountain Shun in Hunan Province, China.
Looking Forward: Building Partnerships in the American Market
The 11th GTI Colloquium reinforced our commitment to educating the American market about the unique benefits of Cyclocarya paliurus. As we continue conversations with interested merchants and tea professionals, we’re excited about the potential to introduce this traditional Chinese botanical to new audiences.
For tea businesses interested in exploring wholesale partnerships, custom blending options, or learning more about Cyclocarya paliurus, we welcome the opportunity to discuss how our products can enhance your offerings.
About Cyclocarya paliurus
Often called “sweet tea tree” in traditional Chinese medicine, Cyclocarya paliurus has been used for centuries in the Hunan region of China. While distinct from Camellia sinensis, Cpa shares tea’s cultural significance and offers unique flavor and wellness properties that complement traditional tea experiences.
A Note of Gratitude
We are deeply grateful to Professor Katharine Burnett and the Global Tea Institute for creating such a valuable platform for connection, education, and innovation. Being selected as one of only seven tea vendors to exhibit at this prestigious event was both an honor and a responsibility—one that we took seriously in our preparation and presentation.
The relationships formed and insights gained at this year’s colloquium will undoubtedly influence how we approach the American market and develop products that serve both tradition and innovation. We look forward to contributing to the ongoing dialogue between Chinese tea culture and American wellness trends.
Connect With Us
Interested in learning more about GO Sweets products or exploring partnership opportunities?
📧 Email: info@gosweetener.com
🌐 Website: https://gosweetener.com
GO Sweets LLC is a California-based company specializing in green and organic (GO) products featuring Cyclocarya paliurus as a key ingredient. Our mission is to help reduce consumption of sugary drinks and foods through naturally sweet, health-conscious alternatives.
GO Sweets LLC 
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