Explore Fesh Herbs With Amazing Things

2023-08-09

Tea, like many global food and beverage commodities such as coffee, cocoa and sugar, employs millions of people around the world – and is currently the main source of income for 9 million

smallholders, primarily from Asia and Africa. And yet, while ethical and sustainable tea production can help meet many of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, such as the reduction of

extreme poverty, the fight against hunger, the empowerment of women and the sustainable use of ecosystems, many tea producers are locked into supply chains which treat and pay workers

poorly, and encourage the use of chemicals.

On Thursday, this deficiency was no longer – and we saw the hard work of our organisers, judges, brewers and, of course, our entrants come together in a beautiful celebration of fine

loose leaf teas. All in our partner Fortnum & Mason’s illustrious Drawing Room, on the 4th floor of their flagship 1707 store in Piccadilly. Home of the world-renowned Rare Tea Counter, where

the winners will have their teas showcased and sold to tea connoisseurs who travel far and wide to taste and buy some of the best, rarest teas in the world. So, what did we get up to at the first

ever International Tea Academy Awards?

First up, we welcomed judges, entrants and guests from around the world for a pre-Award drink. There was a buzz in the air, an edge of glitz and glamour – and for me, some pre-show jitters.

After all, it was the culmination of years of planning, months of organising and weeks of intense judging. Next came the Awards Ceremony, hosted by the inimitable Jane Pettigrew, tea expert,

Leafies judge and co-founder of the UK Tea Academy. There were 19 tea categories and six special achievements overall – and our judges were on hand to present the awards. In each category

there were multiple ‘Highly Commended’ and one ‘Gold’ up for grabs – but our judges were tough, and out of over 300 entries, only 28 Highly Commended and 12 Golds were awarded. You’ll be

able to find the full list of winners on The Leafies website, but here were some of the big hitters.

Jane Pettigrew, Leafies judge and co-founder of the UK Tea Academy.

But while it’s clear that environmental and ethical tea growing offers many benefits to people around the world, tea-growing regions are also going to be badly hit if global warming continues.

Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns are already affecting yields and forcing farmers to adapt quickly to a changing climate. And a report last year showed that the area of optimal

tea-growing conditions in Kenya will be reduced by more than a quarter by 2050, with around 39% of areas with medium-quality growing conditions facing destruction. Tea growing regions in

India, China and Sri Lanka were also likely to be affected. Together with Kenya, these four countries constitute the four biggest tea producers in the world – and will have to spend billions of

pounds securing the livelihoods of their people and mitigating other disastrous effects of climate change.

I spoke to her after the awards about what winning the Leafies meant to her:

“It’s uplifting for the team at home. Mainly because this is the first time ever that black tea’s been made in our particular area that meets international standards. With the help, training and

teaching from the Beverly and Scottish Tea Factory, we’ve been able to produce such high quality tea. It’s such an honour – and such an encouragement for people back home.”