TEA DISCOVERY WITH AHMAD TEA @ KEW GARDENS, NASH CONSERVATORY

Attending the tea discovery workshop hosted by Ahmad Tea in the picturesque Nash Conservatory at Kew Gardens was an enlightening experience that deepened my appreciation for tea. This sensory journey delved into the origins of tea and the rich history behind the Ahmad Tea brand.

In an era where many of us prioritize supporting ethical and sustainable brands, Ahmad Tea stands out with its commitment to ethical sourcing, social impact, and sustainability. As climate change concerns grow, it's heartening to see businesses like Ahmad Tea taking proactive steps to make a positive difference.

But who are Ahmad Tea? Why have we never heard of them?

It's reassuring to hear that others have shared my curiosity about Ahmad Tea, especially given the remarkable work they do. Founded and guided by Chairman Mr. Rahim Afshar, Ahmad Tea is a family company built on cherished family values. Mr. Afshar's journey into the tea trade began in 1979, inspired by Professor A.H. Ganjavian. Since then, Ahmad Tea has grown to bring over 30 million cups of tea a day to enthusiasts in more than 80 countries worldwide. Their story and the vision of Mr. Afshar are truly inspiring. To learn more about Ahmad Tea's fascinating journey, take a look at the video below.

“The first moment when I fell in love with tea was when I visited a tea garden. The aroma of tea was everywhere. I just thought, this is not true. This is a dream” — Mr Rahim Afshar; Founder

Ahmad Tea’s mission is to inspire kindness.

Ahmad Tea's dedication to kindness, community, and impact shines through in all aspects of their operations. They actively support health projects and community causes, exemplified by their membership in the Ethical Tea Partnership, a global initiative promoting ethical business practices in the tea trade. Furthermore, Ahmad Tea prioritizes environmental sustainability in their business practices, striving to minimize their ecological footprint wherever possible. Their commitment to making a positive difference is evident and admirable.

Tea discovery at Kew Gardens

My journey with Ahmad Tea truly began at the enlightening tea discovery and afternoon tea event, just before the launch of their luxurious new collection, "Beyond the Leaf," in collaboration with Kew Gardens.

Launching in time for Christmas 2021, "Beyond the Leaf" represents a captivating partnership between two iconic British brands. It harmonizes Ahmad Tea's four generations of tea expertise with the natural beauty and heritage of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. This collaboration introduces a refined, elegant, and quintessentially British range of teas.

The collection features four classic blends - Majestic Breakfast, Splendid Ceylon, Garden Afternoon, and Elegant Earl Grey. Each blend promises a smooth, delicious brew, perfect for enjoying any time of the day.

I was lucky enough to sample each of these wonderful blends and they did not disappoint. Master tea taster at Ahmad Tea; Dominic Marriott, took us through each of the blends and their origins and it was so wonderful to learn about the manufacturing process of tea since its not something many of us think about when our tea is brewed. However, the loose leaf tea seems to spark a little glimmer of curiosity in me and that is exciting alone - especially to someone who is very used to the very popular ‘tea bag’.

Dominic Marriott, Master Tea Taster at Ahmad Tea says:

“As a leading authority in the natural world, Kew is the perfect partner for our new Beyond the Leaf collection.

“To produce the finest tea takes time, patience, and dedication. From hand plucking the best leaves and buds from the world’s most prestigious tea gardens to tasting the tea at every stage in its long and intricate journey, every blend in our new collection is nurtured to ensure the highest quality and the most exquisite taste.

“At Ahmad Tea, we are lucky enough to have some of the world’s best Tea Tasters on our team who sample up to 500 cups each day to ensure the blends are perfectly balanced and the taste is consistent. Beyond the Leaf is testament to this; from the rich and malty Majestic Breakfast to the refreshing and lively Splendid Ceylon, Great British classics are elevated to a new level.”

But what exactly did I learn about this new collection and why I chose the Majestic breakfast and Garden Afternoon as my favourite blends?

Beyond the Leaf: the new luxury tea collection from Ahmad Tea & Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Majestic Breakfast - A jewel in the British tea crown, this rich and malty blend balances Kenyan and Ceylon teas with second flush Assam leaves for a bold, full-bodied brew. Best served with a splash of milk, but I can vouch for how good this baby tastes without.

Splendid Ceylon - Teas from high elevations give the brew its bright colour and deep flavour, whilst the medium grown teas add a citrussy freshness for a refreshing and lively finish. Serve with a slice of lemon for a classic Ceylon experience.

Garden Afternoon - An elegant and uplifting blend, this delectable brew is the perfect partner for afternoon tea. A blend of Assam, Kenyan and Ceylon teas, with a hint of bergamot, provides an uplifting floral finish. This has now become a regular in my household, with me now drinking several cups of this beautiful brew a day.

Elegant Earl Grey - Soothing and exotic, this refined Earl Grey balances teas from Ceylon and India. A touch of bergamot adds an exotic fragrance to lift the tea’s citrussy notes. Served with lemon or a splash of milk, this soothing brew is perfect at any time of the day.

If the packaging and setup of the Nash Conservatory wasn’t beautiful enough, after our tea discovery workshop we were also indulged with a wonderful afternoon tea spread of sandwiches, scones, cakes and teas; the perfect end to the perfect afternoon.

The afternoon tea experience left a lasting impression, especially the delectable scones that linger in my dreams. Meeting Alice Kinsella, Ahmad Tea’s global brand ambassador and an Olympian elite Gymnast, was a highlight. Alice shared insights into her involvement with Ahmad Tea and the exciting responsibilities of being their ambassador.

We also had the pleasure of hearing from Tracey Wakelin, Head of Global Marketing, Eileen Donaghey, Afternoon Tea Expert, who enlightened us on afternoon tea etiquette. Additionally, Joyce Maina, a global tea expert, and William Manning and Dominic Marriott, tea tasting experts, provided valuable insights.

During our workshop with Dominic, we delved into the art of "tea tasting," which involves slurping the tea and engaging our sense of smell for a heightened sensory experience. To my surprise, I volunteered for a "tea slurping" competition and emerged victorious!

My prize for being the best ‘tea slurper’ at the Ahmad Tea x Kew Gardens discovery workshop.

For now, my tea discovery journey continues as I learn more about the benefits of tea and how different blends can be used to aid our wellbeing, and I look forward to following along with the Ahmad Tea journey - with a cup of their Garden afternoon in one hand of course.

Beyond the Leaf, the new collection from Ahmad Tea in collaboration with Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew will be available to buy from uk.ahmadtea.com from Christmas 2021. RRP £7.99 for a 100g loose leaf tea caddy or £11.99 for a 4 x 10 teabag selection caddy.

To enquire about Ahmad Tea’s wider range of Great Taste Award-winning teas and luxury tea gifts, contact Ahmad Tea at info@ahmadtea.com or go to www.ahmadtea.com.