The Leafies are the international awards celebrating the finest in artisan tea. Launched by the UK Tea Academy in partnership with Fortnum & Mason, The Leafies shine a spotlight on outstanding producers around the world.
Each year, tea farmers and tea makers submit their best teas for blind tasting by a panel of expert judges in London. Many of the judges are UKTA Tea Specialists, they are all renowned tea experts who have helped establish The Leafies reputation for integrity and credibility. Winning teas are recognised not only for flavour, but for innovation and alignment with sustainable practices.
Some winning teas go on to be featured at Fortnum & Mason’s Rare Tea Counter in London. All winners are awarded The Leafies prestige mark, now a recognised symbol of excellence.
How The Leafies link to the UKTA
The Leafies are more than a celebration, they are the living counterpart to everything we teach at UKTA. Our learning programmes help professionals understand and serve exceptional teas. The Leafies honour the people who produce them.
From terroir and sustainability to varietal and processing, the values behind The Leafies mirror the principles embedded across the UKTA qualification framework. Many teas you’ll encounter in your learning journey have won awards at The Leafies – and many producers we introduce are part of The Leafies network.
Key dates
Entries for The Leafies 2025 are now open
Closing date for entries: 15 September 2025
Judging: 6 – 10 October 2025
Awards ceremony: January 2026, Central London
You can enter your tea, attend The Leafies Awards, watch the livestream, or browse past winners via The Leafies dedicated website.
Whatever your interest in tea, we’d love you to share the celebration.
Visit: theleafies.co.uk
