{"id":770,"date":"2018-07-02T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-07-02T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/en.ctma.com.cn\/index.php\/2018\/07\/02\/how-these-professional-football-players-kicked-off-nya-tea\/"},"modified":"2018-07-02T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2018-07-02T00:00:00","slug":"how-these-professional-football-players-kicked-off-nya-tea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/en.ctma.com.cn\/index.php\/2018\/07\/02\/how-these-professional-football-players-kicked-off-nya-tea\/","title":{"rendered":"How These Professional Football Players Kicked Off NYA TEA"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Kai Oredugba, Chuva Featherstone and David Oredugba; photo courtesy of David Oredugba<\/p>\n

Brothers Kai and David Oredugba built upon their experiences as professional football players when forming their tea company, . NYA TEA stands for \u201cNot Your Average Tea.\u201d Nya also means \u201cnew\u201d in Swedish. Here is why the name fits.<\/p>\n

After playing college football for the University of California, Los Angeles, Kai\u2014whose full name is Olukayode Oredugba\u2014played professional arena football in New Orleans, Utah and San Jose and then played professional Canadian football for the Hamilton Tiger Cats in Ontario, Canada. David played college football for Northwestern University, and then played professionally for the Helsinki Roosters in Finland and Badalona Dracs in Catalonia, Spain.<\/p>\n

Kai said playing football stretched their bodies and minds and gave them a great foundation, attention to detail and a work ethic, as well as the ability to inspire people, \u201cThis is what we\u2019re all about.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Kai\u2019s introduction to tea happened during his junior and senior years of high school through an exchange program that took him to Fujinomiya and Naha, Japan. His host father trained him in karate and gave tea to Kai before and after each session. This experience formed the connection between tea and athletics and wellness. Then Kai introduced David to tea after returning to the U.S.<\/p>\n

Kai explained how tea aided with the demands put on them as professional athletes. \u201cOur bodies were taking a pounding and we wanted to keep up that level of competitiveness, so we utilized tea to keep us upbeat, focused and energized,\u201d Kai said, \u201cbut on the flip side, it helped us with the recovery process, which is most important as an athlete.\u201d While in Utah, he began making yerba mate blends for his teammates as an antidote to the challenging effects of competing at a high altitude; and over the years he continued to introduce other athletes he trained and mentored to the benefits of herbal tisanes and tea.<\/p>\n

Additionally, David always had an interest in global commerce, bringing people together and creating communities. While playing football in Finland and Spain, he did a lot of community outreach by volunteering and coaching. He later began making herbal tea blends for individuals.<\/p>\n

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NYA TEA O.G. (Original Goodness) blend; Photo credit: https:\/\/shop.nyatea.com\/<\/p>\n

About four years ago Kai had a pivotal experience that motivated him to enter the tea business with his brother full-time. One evening, five of Kai\u2019s male friends gathered at his house with the plan for a night on the town. One of Kai\u2019s friends, who was accustomed to drinking sugary beverages and liquor, had a cold with some congestion. Kai gave an herbal blend to his friend, who drank it and said, \u201cThis is not your average tea. I don\u2019t know what you put in it, but whatever it is\u2014I want more.\u201d Then, Kai\u2019s other friends wanted some, too. \u201cAll the alcohol was pushed aside and teacups were placed,\u201d Kai said, \u201cand we went until about 3 in the morning, laughing, having the time of our lives bringing up old stories, new ideas and just connecting.\u201d He said this evening was key in deciding to form NYA TEA. \u201cIf I can get five guys who are in their prime, looking to be out meeting people, to sit around a table drinking tea all night, I could probably get just about any person [to drink tea].\u201d<\/p>\n

Kai and David founded NYA TEA in 2016 in Glendale, California. The herbal blend Kai gave to his friend that night is now NYA TEA\u2019s O.G. (Original Goodness) blend. They brought in their Malmo, Sweden-based friend and graphic designer as creative director, who created NYA TEA\u2019s label.<\/p>\n

David added, \u201cSeeing that level of enjoyment\u2026 that experience of how people\u2019s perceptions can change. There\u2019s a burgeoning market of people who want to love tea and just don\u2019t know how to love it yet.\u201d He said this is a common reaction to their teas. People taste the teas and say, \u201cIt\u2019s different; I didn\u2019t know tea could be like this. I didn\u2019t know it could be something so enjoyable.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Photo courtesy of David Oredugba<\/p>\n

The Oredugbas began testing out flavor profiles and herbs through pop up events and grassroots initiatives, and also did a lot of white label blending for other companies. Kai and David have made more than 300 different blends. The most popular blends are the 8 blends that became NYA TEA\u2019s repertoire, currently sold on the company\u2019s website: Nowness, Mercedes Gonzales, O.G., Nightshift, Bara Vara, Juni & Juli, Elysian Park and Kallis.<\/p>\n

People are enjoying the look, aroma and taste of NYA TEAS.<\/p>\n

One new blend that received strong positive public response at the recent World Tea Expo was the new lavender vanilla ashwagandha chai. This blend will be added to NYA TEA\u2019s collection this year.<\/p>\n

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Tea Talk at Community; photo courtesy of David Oredugba<\/p>\n

Another new blend with layers of flavors called Christmas in Jamaica was originally designed for an ultramarathon runner who wanted something balancing, energizing and refreshing without caffeine. It is a hibiscus turmeric blood orange pineapple blend, inspired by a crimson Jamaican beverage called sorrel.<\/p>\n

They source teas and herbs from around the world, buying organic as often as possible. Their black tea is grown in Yunnan, China, they import rooibos from South Africa, purple tea from Kenya and green tea from the Shizuoka prefecture in Japan. They are constantly trying new herbs while paying attention to people\u2019s reactions.<\/p>\n

NYA TEA is an instrument that brings people together. Kai and David host at different locations in the United States and Europe at which people have conversations over tea, tea cocktails and tea-infused snacks about modern topics, such as the future of Bitcoin and the blockchain. The next Tea Talk will be held July 26 at , a handcrafter of premium shoes in downtown Los Angeles that gives back to the local community and has an event space. Another Tea Talk will be in Malmo, Sweden in October. They also serve tea at soup kitchens.<\/p>\n

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Tea Talk at Community; photo courtesy of David Oredugba<\/p>\n

\u201cNYA TEA is more than a drink, it\u2019s more of a statement,\u201d David said. \u201cIt represents those who are creative, those who strive to do better in the community, it\u2019s a way of living.\u201d<\/p>\n

NYA TEA is currently distributed to cafes and restaurants and can be purchased online at.<\/p>\n

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