The UK Tea Academy

Learn about the finer points of tea blending from the experts, on site at a state-of-the-art tea blending facility. This one-day course will give you the knowledge you need to start creating your own tea blends, from what equipment you need, to how to source your ingredients and how to blend both teas and herbals. 

This course is open to everyone - no prior experience is necessary. It also counts as one credit towards our Level 3 Tea Diploma Certification.

To reserve your place on this course, you may complete the registration and pay an initial £150 deposit. You will then be asked to pay the remaining sum 4 weeks before the class (on or before 25th March 2024). Payment of the remaining balance in instalments is also possible, please contact us to arrange this. The deposit is non-refundable.

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THE COURSE WILL COVER

• Meet and greet the team and participants.

• Orientation; details of course syllabus.

• What you need to get started; tools and equipment requirements

• Blending black teas; English Breakfast - creating a ‘classic’. CTCs versus Orthodox

• Blending white, green and oolong teas.

• Blending oils and flavours; artificial and natural; Creating the perfect Earl Grey.

• Blending fruit and herbal infusions; flowers, seeds, fruits, roots and leaves

• Blend percentages; dos and don’ts.

• Blending for how the drinker will drink it; different demographics, countries, water quality, adding milk.

• Sourcing the right ingredients; the law, methods of sourcing, ingredients checking and batch control.

• Creating the perfect blend portfolio; the right mix, blend costings, saving blend recipes and creating product specifications.

• Free blending time; creating selection of own recipes.

• Final questions and close.

This 1 day course is held in partnership with Blends for Friends, at their facility near Sevenoaks, Kent. The tutor is Alex Probyn.

Arrival at 9am for a 9.15am start.

Lunch, snacks, and of course tea, are included. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements.

The course will be held at:
Blends For Friends Ltd.
The Tea Barn
Coney Shaw Farm
Kemsing Road
TN15 6NN
United Kingdom

The nearest train station is Borough Green & Wrotham (direct trains from London Victoria and Charing Cross/London Bridge). Collection and drop-off from the station can be arranged at no extra cost. For those driving, there is plenty of free parking.

If you are interested in this course and would like more information on local accommodation and transport, please email us.

NB *** As this is an in-person course, we need a minimum number of participants to for it to run. Once you book, we will keep in touch with you regarding the running of the course. Please do not make final travel /accommodation arrangements until we have confirmed that the course will go ahead ***

This course is scheduled to coincide with our 1-day Advanced Tasting Skills Masterclass, also taught by Alex @ Blends for Friends, on Thursday 25th April 2024. Anyone booking both courses will be eligible for a discounted price. Please email info@ukteaacademy.com if you are interested.

Completion of this masterclass will count as one credit towards our Level 3 Tea Diploma qualification.

This masterclasses are open to anyone. If you are working towards a final Level Three qualification but you have not yet achieved your Level Two Tea Sommelier qualification, you will still receive a credit towards the Tea Diploma qualification.

WHAT PAST STUDENTS SAY
“What an amazing course it was. I feel very fortunate to have had the experience and thanks to you for incorporating it into the Tea Academy.”

“I loved every minute of the course and am simply buzzing from ideas and learnings. Alex is an absolute authority and it’s such a wonderful environment and team for the course to be undertaken.”

“Alex and his team are brilliant. A wonderful experience I’ll recommend to my colleagues.”