Emirates is celebrating International Tea Day on May 21. The airline is marking its 33-year partnership with Dilmah Tea, serving over 33 million cups of tea annually. During the celebration the airline will gift a complimentary pack of luxury leaf artisan teas to passengers on all flights. Emirates will also offer Dilmah tea cocktails and mocktails at its lounges along with hot teas and sweet treats.
Free Tea On Emirates Flights Over 2.5 Hours
On International Tea Day, customers in all classes on flights over 2.5 hours will get the special edition giftbox. It holds a trio of Dilmah’s most celebrated teas. The first is the Emirates Signature Tea. It is Dombagastalawa FBOP1 scented with Rose, Almond and Ginger. This tea is ideal for celebrations. Then there’s Moroccan Mint Green Tea, which enhances peace of mind. Lastly, Ceylon Tea with Strawberry offers a sense of joy.
From 15 to 31 May on flights from Dubai to the UK, Emirates’ cabin crew will offer Dilmah tea pairing tips. This is part of the Afternoon Tea service in First and Business Class.
Tea Cocktails & Mocktails At Emirates Lounges
On 21 May, across all Emirates Lounges worldwide, First and Business Class customers can sample tea cocktails and mocktails. These drinks all have Dilmah tea and are expertly paired with delicious desserts. The Dubai lounges serve an exclusive Dilmah Elixir mocktail and cocktail paired with a fragrant coconut vanilla cake. Alternatively, they serve the tea drink with a lemon cake or a moreish apple tart.
Tea Artistry With Emirates and Dilmah
Emirates serves a range of Dilmah teas in-flight and at its airport lounges worldwide. In First Class, Emirates offers a variety of 6 Dilmah gourmet blends. These include the energy boosting Original Earl Grey, and a mellow Pure Chamomile Flowers. There is also the healthy and antioxidant Sencha Green Extra Special, and the intense and majestic Brilliant Breakfast. The most popular choice in First Class is Moroccan Mint Green Tea. Another favorite is Emirates’ Signature Tea–Dombagastalawa Estate Ceylon FBOP1 grade, with safflower, marigold flowers, rose, ginger and almond.
In Business Class, Emirates offers 5 luxury leaf teas. Earl Grey is a deliciously fragrant gourmet tea with natural bergamot. Emirates also serves Ceylon tea, Pure Camomile Flowers, Green Tea Natural, and Green Tea Moroccan Mint. In Premium Economy and Economy Class, customers can savor a choice of Ceylon or Natural Green Tea.
Emirates Crew Tea Training
Emirates Cabin Crew get a dedicated tea training to discover the sustainable origins of Dilmah tea. They experience the unique flavors and learn to brew the perfect cup. They further enhance flavor with an array of accouterments, including fresh mint, honey, and lemon. Cabin crew also learn about tea and food pairing. Key recommendations for customers can include pairing seafood, soft cheeses, and sushi with green tea. They suggest matching beef, game, sweet desserts, or hard cheeses with black tea. Additionally, they combine floral teas like Chamomile with dishes that have a citrus or tart flavor profile. An example is the Emirates’ vegan Zucchini tart.
Marking International Tea Day
The UN General Assembly 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, marks May 21 annually as International Tea Day. The day raises public awareness of the importance of tea for rural development. It aims to support sustainable livelihoods. The goal is also to improve the tea value chain to contribute to the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.
Emirates longstanding partnership with ethical tea grower Dilmah delivers a significant socio-economic benefit to the Sri Lankan economy. It also benefits its plantation industry and plantation community. Additionally, it raises global awareness of the importance of tea.
33 Years of Emirates and Dilmah Tea
For more than three decades, Emirates has partnered with family-owned Dilmah Tea, the celebrated Sri Lankan tea company. Dilmah is the first producer-owned ethical tea brand globally. They cultivate, handpick, and pack the tea at origin. This process perfectly preserves its natural goodness. It ensures Dilmah’s unrivaled position as one of the finest teas in the world.
The Dilmah tea estates sit majestically midst impressive views. They include abundant waterfalls, rising mountain tops, and lush landscapes. These environments produce exceptional quality Ceylon Tea. Ceylon Tea has the finest quality tea leaves in pristine estates at the highest elevation. The tea gets its unique characteristics and flavors from the rich biodiversity of the surrounding forest. The tea leaves grow in the central hills of Sri Lanka. They are withered, rolled, fermented, and fired. This process produces tea with sophisticated aromas, tastes, and textures. It’s fresh from plantation to cup.
Dilmah’s founder, the late Merrill J. Fernando first offered tea that is handpicked and ethically made in Sri Lanka in the early 1980’s. He nicknamed his teas ‘natures gift of goodness.’ Honoring his legacy, Merrill’s sons Dilhan and Malik continue his mission. They offer ‘cups of kindness’ to the world. They uphold their father’s promise of quality and kindness to people and nature. Emirates’ partnership with Dilmah benefits thousands of children, youth, women, and men. These individuals are in need of nutrition, education, and vocational training. This support is delivered through Dilmah’s MJF Charitable Foundation.
