Tea Champion is the name of an original UK Tea Academy (UKTA) course. For new learners, UKTA now offers Tea Essentials: an online award with four teas, a two-hour live tasting tutorial and a short multiple-choice assessment. Former Tea Champion learners should ask UKTA how their earlier study fits their chosen current qualification.
What happened to Tea Champion?
Check the current course name before choosing materials or booking study.
UKTA describes Tea Champion as one of its original courses and says those courses were not externally accredited. Its current pages present a different structure of units and awards; the old course name should not be used to infer the format of a current assessment.
If you already completed Tea Champion, the FAQ says you do not have to retake Tea Guide and should contact UKTA about progression. Because that FAQ uses older names alongside newer ones, ask UKTA which requirements or exemptions apply to your chosen award. This does not establish automatic entry to every qualification or an automatic exemption from Tea Essentials.
The FAQ explains that accreditation has strict approval criteria when discussing retrospective certification. Do not describe an original Tea Champion certificate as an OCN London-accredited award on that basis.
Sources: FAQs - UK Tea Academy — ukteaacademy.co.uk/faqs/; Tea Essentials Award - UK Tea Academy — ukteaacademy.co.uk/tea-essentials-award/; Progression - UK Tea Academy — ukteaacademy.co.uk/progression/
What to expect from Tea Essentials
Tea Essentials is open to all learners and requires no prior knowledge or experience.
You study through online video, text, quizzes and a short multiple-choice assessment. The live tutorial develops brewing and tasting skills with a UKTA tea expert. The published course page does not establish an exact assessment question count or passing mark; check the current unit instructions for those details.
UKTA recommends Tea Essentials as a foundation, although its progression page allows learners to start with other standalone units. Tea Essentials is required for either Level 3 Tea Sommelier Award and is included in those qualification bundles.
| Feature | Current published detail |
|---|---|
| Award level | Level 2, as described by UKTA |
| Price | £195 for Tea Essentials on its own |
| Teas | Four speciality teas sent to you |
| Live tutorial | Two hours |
| Access | 90 days per unit; an extension can be requested |
| Completion | OCN London digital badge and UKTA certificate |
Sources: FAQs - UK Tea Academy — ukteaacademy.co.uk/faqs/; Tea Essentials Award - UK Tea Academy — ukteaacademy.co.uk/tea-essentials-award/; Progression - UK Tea Academy — ukteaacademy.co.uk/progression/
Which topics should you review?
Use the unit materials to connect the tea plant, processing and brewing with the teas you taste.
The published topic list is a learning overview, not a weighted exam blueprint. Use it to check coverage without inventing question allocations.
| Published topic | Useful revision task — study advice |
|---|---|
| Tea plant, origins and history | Explain how tea spread from China and identify the plant named in the course. |
| Six tea categories and processing | Make a comparison sheet from the unit: category, key processing features and an example tea. |
| Sustainability | Summarize the issues and examples taught in the unit. |
| Brewing fundamentals | Record the course instructions for each tea alongside your observations. |
| Iced and sparkling tea, matcha and chai | Review how the unit introduces each preparation and note points to clarify with the tutor. |
Sources: Tea Essentials Award - UK Tea Academy — ukteaacademy.co.uk/tea-essentials-award/
Prepare for the live tasting tutorial
Bring the supplied teas, basic brewing equipment and a short list of questions.
UKTA asks you to book the tutorial once your teas have arrived. UK shipping is included; overseas delivery may involve customs charges or local taxes. Check the available tutorial dates as well as your access expiry when planning study.
The FAQ estimates six to ten hours for most core units, including their live session and assessment. That is a general planning estimate, not a guaranteed Tea Essentials completion time.
- Check your unit equipment list. UKTA lists a kettle, several small brewing vessels, a strainer and a cup as the basic kit.
- Use the unit instructions to prepare the teas. In a notebook, record the tea name, preparation used and what you notice about its smell and taste.
- Write observations in your own words. Bring a question about a difference you found difficult to describe or a preparation instruction you want explained.
- After the tutorial, revisit the relevant material and update your notes before completing the assessment.
Sources: FAQs - UK Tea Academy — ukteaacademy.co.uk/faqs/; Tea Essentials Award - UK Tea Academy — ukteaacademy.co.uk/tea-essentials-award/
Where can you go after Tea Essentials?
Choose further study according to the work or knowledge you want to develop.
The Tea Sommelier Award: Service & Innovation focuses on practical, creative tea service. The Tea Sommelier Award: Teas & Terroir explores the main tea-producing regions with guided tastings.
For either Level 3 award, UKTA requires its core units, one optional unit, Tea Essentials and a Final Project. You complete Tea Essentials only once. The Final Project requirement belongs to these qualifications; the Tea Essentials page describes its own short multiple-choice assessment.
Completing both awards and both Final Projects allows you to apply for the Level 5 Professional Tea Sommelier Diploma. Either award provides a route to the Specialist Tea Diploma; relevant experience can also support an application through Recognition of Prior Learning, which UKTA assesses.
Sources: Tea Essentials Award - UK Tea Academy — ukteaacademy.co.uk/tea-essentials-award/; Progression - UK Tea Academy — ukteaacademy.co.uk/progression/
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