Celebrate International Tea Day with Tea Expert Mike Bunston OBE and Made in Chelsea’s Tristan Phipps!

After the success of Britain’s biggest ever virtual tea party, National Tea Day, which took place on 21^st April, the hosts are preparing even bigger celebrations for International Tea Day, taking place on Thursday 21^st May.

Established by the United Nations to promote and foster collective actions to implement activities in favour of the sustainable production and consumption of tea, the day celebrates the importance of tea worldwide.

International Tea Day celebrations hosted by the National Tea Day team see the revival of one of Britain’s oldest traditions – a Tea Auction! Inspired by London’s established Tea Brokers Association who ran tastings and tea auctions for over 130 years, the National Tea Day team will be auctioning off a range of treat-filled tea bundles, from brands such as Tea Makers of London, cakes from Ridiculously Rich by Alana and Mighty Brew Kombucha and ranging from £10- £50.

The National Virtual Tea Auction will take place on the National Tea Day social channels every month, as part of the National Virtual Tea Party year-long series. Tea-lovers from all over the country have a chance to participate in an age-old tradition and get their hands on limited-edition bundles of limited edition curated teas and treats.

Joining the fun on the day will be Mike Bunston OBE, co-founder of the London Tea History Association, who began his adventure with tea in 1959 and conducted the last ever British Tea Auction on the 30^th June 1998. He served as Honorary Chairman of the international Tea Committee for 20 years, chaired numerous discussions between producers and consumer counties and is presently Honorary Tea Ambassador for Sri Lanka in the UK. Mike will be on hand with fascinating stories of the tea trade and tea tasting rituals that were to be followed by the Tea Brokers, as well as insight into the atmospheric first tea auctions that took place by candlelight, over 300 years ago.

The National Tea Day team are passionate in their plight to combat loneliness, having already provided over 17,000 par-tea packs to care homes and hospitals and NHS trusts, made up of tea, cakes, biscuits, bunting and balloons, supporting Mind as their official charity partner.

The team will be continuing their mission on International Tea Day through the launch of Tea Time Talks with Tristan, a series of talks led by Made in Chelsea star Tristan Phipps, who will be discussing core topics around mental health such as anxiety and the benefit of exercise, with a host of celebrity guests.

The first talk, taking place on the day, will see fellow Made in Chelsea star, Angus Findlay, join Tristan for a chat about cultivating a positive mindset. Those at home will be encouraged to join the conversation, with opportunities to join in the discussion with Tristan, and ask questions throughout the live series.

Diaz Ayub, director of National Tea Day, said: “Every month, during the National Virtual Tea Party, the team and Tristan will be bringing people together to combat feelings of loneliness, anxiety and depression. There’s never been a more important time to talk about the impact of isolation and loneliness on mental health and we know a cup of tea and a chat can do the world of good! We’re proud to support Mind as our official charity partner, raising awareness around important mental health issues”.

Tristan Phipps added: “It’s never been more important to talk about the mental impact of isolation and loneliness. I’m looking forward to taking part in the series, talking about the importance of male mental health and talking – over a cup of tea, of course!”.

To find out more about National Tea Day and the planned activities, please visit https://www.nationalteaday.co.uk/.