Let's Spill the Tea
This past summer, the University Club San Diego hosted its second afternoon tea social event called Let’s Spill the Tea. The club created this newer event to bring tea connoisseurs together for an elegant afternoon of conversation, connection, and panoramic views of beautiful San Diego.
What made this extra special was its Bridgerton High Tea theme. Women arrived in elegant gowns, creating a setting inspired by the popular period series, while the event featured a collection of LegacySips' most unique teas.
Set 34 floors above the city, the University Club provided a private, upscale tea experience. Mbugua Karanja of LegacySips added a personal layer to the Bridgerton tea party experience by sharing his story, his family roots, and the natural beauty behind the teas directly with guests.
More than a Cup of Tea
As members of the University Club, Mbugua and his wife, Wendy, connected with Marla Marshall, chairwoman of the Women Impact Network. Through that connection, LegacySips had the opportunity to exclusively feature its collection of premium African teas, particularly teas connected to the family’s farms in the Kenyan Highlands.
Before serving the Kenyan specialty teas, Mbugua spoke to guests about the LegacySips family background, the roots of their farmlands in Kenya, and the teas they would be tasting. His humility, pride in his family’s heritage, and passion for the teas added a more personal layer to the experience.
Many of the event chairs did not realize that LegacySips was a family-owned and operated business. Learning about the teas directly from Mbugua made the Bridgerton Tea Event more than just a social gathering. It created a genuine and meaningful connection between the guests, the teas in their cups, and the family story behind them.
A Family-Owned Story
At the heart of LegacySips are the farmers behind each cup. Located on the volcanic-rich slopes of the Kenyan Highlands, the farmers cultivate unique tea and coffee rooted in an ancestral story of dedication, heritage, and passion for excellence.
The farmers and long-standing partners of LegacySips work together to share the culture and journey behind each tea, from cultivation and processing all the way to the cup. Bringing those family-owned origins to the teacups of the University Club added a more personal layer to the event and tea tasting.
Setting the Table
The Bridgerton-inspired ambiance extended beyond the tea itself. Specialty teaware helped create the elegant afternoon tea setting, with teacup and saucer rentals provided by Lady Christiana’s It’s My Tea Party. Guests enjoyed LegacySips teas as part of an experience designed around the details of a traditional tea gathering.
The Teas Guests Remembered
And the most impressive teas of the event? The purple and yellow teas immediately caught guests’ attention. Many were surprised to learn that the vibrant colors occur naturally, with no artificial coloring.
The unique colors quickly became a topic of conversation as guests asked what made the teas so striking. The purple tea offered tangy, floral, and expressive notes, while the lesser-known Kenyan yellow tea showcased smooth floral and fruity notes with a refined, naturally sweet finish.
A Connection that Continued
Even after the event, the experience continued. Tea connoisseurs such as Marla shared the story of the event and the Kenyan teas with others, including members of her own book club. That word-of-mouth interest even led to new orders, extending the connection beyond the University Club.
The experience showed how a thoughtful tea tasting can bring people together and create meaningful connections around culture, family, and tradition. By sharing the story behind LegacySips, Mbugua gave guests a closer look at the people, values, and heritage connected to each cup.
Looking ahead, LegacySips hopes to return for future tea events at the University Club and continue building relationships with the Women Impact Network. The brand could also be a natural fit for monthly luncheons, country club gatherings, and other community-centered afternoon tea experiences.
Interested in bringing LegacySips to your next tea party event? Get in touch with us!