Tea Geekery & Community
Tea culture in Australia has literally exploded in the last decade or so. From a culture that typically relied mainly on the likes of Bushells and Lipton for its daily cuppa, to a nation nowadays overwhelmed with love for fine oolongs and matcha lattes, Australia is positively swarming with vibrant tea culture.
To celebrate some of the rich tea culture being cultivated in Australia, we’ve put together a list of six tea resources and venues in Australia where you’ll find a range of expert tea classes, tea ceremonies and health & wellness spaces dedicated to helping you get the absolute best out of your tea.
Whether you’re a tea aficionado or simply just love a good cuppa, we guarantee you’ll find something here to suit your taste for tea exploration.
Located in Sydney, Class Bento offers an amazing range of professionally run tea workshops, from loose leaf tea blending to brewing and tasting.
Though strictly not an Australian tea space, Maikoya Kimono Tea Ceremonies, located in Japan, does allow you to take part in authentic tea ceremonies right from the comfort of your own home. Ceremony sessions take place via Zoom and last for around 45 minutes.
If you live in and around the Sydney area and are looking for a peaceful, mindful space to unwind with fellow tea drinkers, you may like to check out some of the local tea ceremonies run by Miss Camellia Tea.
For tea lovers local to Canberra who are looking to expand their knowledge and appreciation of authentic Chinese tea, you need to check out Artisan Tea Explorer. Artisan Tea Explorer runs fortnightly tea sessions in Canberra where you can learn and experience the finer points of traditional tea drinking.
Australian Tea Cultural Society
We can’t talk about tea culture in Australia without mentioning the Australian Tea Cultural Society (AUSTCS). AUSTCS is an organisation that runs events to support the development of tea culture in Australia (taken from the AUSTCS website). If you are any kind of tea lover with an interest in the tea culture in Australia, I urge you to check AUSTCS out. This September, AUSTCS will be holding their 2021 Australian Tea Cultural Seminar in Brisbane, titled New Ways to Experience Tea.
Another leading supporter and tea education provider within the Australian tea industry is Australian Tea Masters. Australian Tea Masters is where tea enthusiasts can find tea 101 introductory courses all the way up to tea master classes.
For many tea is a chance to take time out, to drink while catching up with friends or to satisfy those mid-afternoon cravings, but for many, it is about connection. While there are calming & wellness benefits to drinking tea, the simple act of taking time out and watching a dried flower flourish within the cup can be therapeutic for many.
Tea communities offer tea aficionados the perfect place to explore & connect over a shared passion & enjoy a little “tea geekery”.
Online tea communities are positive places. There isn’t much judgment, that is, unless you are suggesting Bushells and Lipton are the greatest teas in the world, then you may encounter some opposition!
Chances are, if you are interested in tea & exploring what tea communities are available, you care about your tea and want to continue learning about tea.
* Tania Pritchard is a tea enthusiast with an interest in health and wellness. We love her take on all things tea & she is a regular contributor to our blog.
Tania is not a qualified health practitioner. Always consult a heath professional before deciding if a health product is right for you.