UK Tea Academy

✨ Student Journeys: Mihail (A.K.A. Bogdan) ✨

This week, we’re delighted to share the next story in our ‘UKTA Journeys’ series, featuring Mihail – also known as ‘Bogdan’ amongst Tea Friends – a Tea Sommelier, long-standing UKTA student, volunteer, and passionate advocate for loose-leaf speciality tea.

Bogdan joined UKTA in 2018 and went on to achieve his Tea Sommelier certification, alongside completing numerous Masterclass Modules and Academy Extras.

Start your UKTA journey today and discover our courses online via the link in our bio.

To celebrate The Leafies, we’re offering 10% off all courses until the end of February, use code ‘leafies10’.

LooseLeafTea TeaCulture

This Valentine’s Day, surprise your loved one with something thoughtful 🍃

A UKTA course is a gift of knowledge, creativity, and shared moments around tea that will last forever.

Gift vouchers available via the link in our bio 💕

The Leafies Awards & Tasting was an inspiring celebration of the people shaping the future of tea.

To keep that momentum going and support the next generation of tea professionals, the UK Tea Academy is offering 10% off all courses until the end of February.

Use code: leafies10 📚

Explore courses via the link in our bio.

Join us for our next Academy Extra: The Language of Tea ☕️

In this online session, led by UKTA tutor , we explore how to describe tea to give others a sense of the look, aroma and taste.

From building a sensory vocabulary through observation and aroma, to adapting your tea writing for different audiences and platforms, this is a chance to practise, share ideas, and build confidence - whether you’re new to tea language or looking to refine your skills.

Date: Wednesday 4th February
Time: 6pm - 7pm (UK time)
Tickets: £25 – available via the link in our bio!

✨ Explore more courses via the link in our bio.

Tea Essentials Course 🍃

Build your confidence with tea through this focused, one-unit qualification. Learn how green, white, black and oolong teas are produced, how to evaluate flavour and aroma, and how to brew them correctly for service or tasting.

Perfect for hospitality, retail, education, or anyone wanting a deeper understanding of tea.

Includes online learning, sensory activities, a tea journal, live tasting tutorials, and 4 speciality teas delivered to you. 🍵

To celebrate this month, enjoy 10% off all our courses from now until the end of February using the code:
leafies10

Buy the Tea Essentials course, or visit our website to discover more of our courses via the link in our bio.

This week you can celebrate the producers of the world’s finest teas with - attend The Leafies in-person or online!

Friday 16th Jan, Awards Presentation & Tea Tasting (invitation and ticket holders only).
🕣10.15am - Guest Registration
10:45am - Awards Presentation (*join via Zoom)
12:30pm - Tea Tastings start
1.30pm - Buffet Lunch
2:30pm - Discussion Panel
4:30pm - Tea Tastings end
5:00pm - Close

📹*Zoom link now available in bio to watch Award Presentation (free of charge).

Saturday | Winners’ Tea Tasting (free of charge & open to the public)
🕣10:00am-4:00pm

📍The Food & Drink Studio, Third Floor, Fortnum & Mason 181 Piccadilly, London. W1A 1ER.

“The training was interactive, inspiring, and tailored to hospitality, giving our colleagues confidence to share the stories behind every cup.”
– Nola Sheng, Hospitality Training Operations Manager,

We were thrilled to partner with Fortnum & Mason to deepen their team’s tea knowledge, elevate service, and help them share the stories behind every cup with confidence - led by UKTA Tutor, .

If you’re looking to enhance your team’s tea skills or grow your own expertise, UK Tea Academy’s specialist courses offer inspiring, practical training for both professionals and passionate tea lovers.

Find out more via the link in our bio.
*In-person training courses are available on request.

Join us for our first Academy Extra of 2026: Mastering Afternoon Tea 🍃

Another opportunity to join us for our online event hosted by Olivia Campbell of .theowo.

This is a conversation-led event open to all (tickets available via the link in our bio!), where we will explore what makes an afternoon tea truly memorable - from storytelling and tradition to presentation and service. Whether you’re shaping a new offering, refining an established one, or simply a lover of afternoon tea, this is your chance to exchange ideas, ask questions, and gain behind-the-scenes insight from Olivia’s professional experience delivering world-class tea service.

Date: Thursday 8th January
Time: 6pm (UK time)
Tickets: £25 - available via the link in our bio!

✨ Don’t miss this inspiring hour of tea talk and practical reflection.

✨ Student Journeys: Min Hua Wang ✨

This week, we’re delighted to share the first in our ‘UKTA Journeys’ series, with a testimonial from Min Hua Wang, who joined UKTA in 2020 went on to complete the original Tea Sommelier course, and is now progressing toward the Specialist Tea Diploma.

In the words of Min Hua, “Tea is a precious gift to human civilization… a cultural treasure shared by all humankind.”

Drawn to UKTA’s international community, we learned Min Hua loved learning alongside students from around the world and exploring tea history and culture from both Eastern and Western perspectives - among other highlights. Read more about her experience above.

Discover our courses online via the link in our bio.

Matcha has surged from a niche favourite to a global phenomenon - now featured in cafés, bakeries, and restaurant menus everywhere. But as demand skyrockets, the industry is feeling the strain, and matcha shortages have begun to disrupt supply chains.

To explore what’s driving this shift and what it means for producers and consumers, we spoke with UKTA’s Japanese tea expert . Here’s what she shared.

Learn more about Teas of Japan with Asako Steward on our website, via the link in our bio.

🌿 Winter Botanicals for Festive Drinks 🌿

Ahead of next week’s Winter Botanicals Workshop, we asked Tea Expert, (and the event’s host) Elizabeth Escobedo her go-to tips for creating warming, vibrant, and beautifully seasonal drinks using simple herbs, spices, and pantry staples.

Tickets for the workshop are still available via the link in our bio.

✨ Academy Extras: Winter Botanical Drinks Workshop - ‘Blooms & Bubbles’ with Elizabeth Escobedo✨

For our next online event, join us for a festive, interactive session exploring winter botanicals, soothing blends, and sparkling seasonal drinks.

Date: 16th December
Time: 6:00-7:00pm (UK time)
Tickets: £25 - available via the link in our bio!

Find out more on our website via the link in our bio.

*Recommended ingredients for the session: cinnamon, citus, sparkling water / apple cider/prosecco, a selection of herbs.