Aromatic Altitudes: Indulge in Art of Tea with Emirates

Celebrating International Tea Day on 21 May, Emirates highlights the sustainable origins, healing properties, and artful service of artisan tea onboard Emirates flights to 140 destinations around the world, as tea consumption increases by more than 10% over recent years.

Fragrant brews with sky high views

Each year, Emirates brews more than 33 million cups of tea for passengers onboard, as well as serving a range of tea in Emirates’ airport lounges worldwide. Tea consumption onboard has steadily risen in recent years by over 10% as many passengers embrace a wellness lifestyle. Tea has a myriad of health benefits and healing properties, as well as providing a ritualistic moment that many find enhances comfort and calm.

Emirates offers a selection of 12 gourmet blends; from the energy boosting Original Earl Grey, to a mellow and stomach-settling Pure Chamomile Flowers, healthy and antioxidant Sencha Green Extra Special to Turmeric, Coconut and Vanilla - a relaxing tea with anti-inflammatory properties, Natural Green Tea and Ceylon Black Tea – pure forms of tea, digestion-friendly Moroccan Mint, energising, Breakfast Tea, and the Emirates Signature Blend – an exclusive master-crafted tea composed of marigold, safflower, rose, and notes of almond and ginger to represent the flavours of the UAE.

Elevating wellness with tea

Onboard Emirates, the most popular tea in First Class is Moroccan Mint Green Tea, while Business Class passengers are enjoying a lot of both Moroccan Mint Green Tea and Chamomile Tea and the popular choice in Economy Class is traditional Ceylon Black Tea.

Emirates partners exclusively with Dilmah Tea, who explain that healthy, natural teas, especially green and black tea, contain polyphenols such as catechins and flavonoids, which act as antioxidants, protecting the body against free radicals, which can damage cells and contribute to chronic diseases.

Tea contains caffeine, which can enhance mental alertness, focus, and concentration but as the caffeine content in tea is generally lower than coffee, it provides a more moderate and sustained energy boost without causing jitteriness, ideal for passengers travelling through time zones.

Chamomile tea has a mildly sedative quality, which can support passengers who need to sleep on long haul journeys. Certain herbal teas, such as peppermint, can also aid digestion and alleviate symptoms like bloating and nausea – another challenge some experience when their normal routine is changed due to travelling.

Timeless Tea Training for Cabin Crew

Emirates considers the serving of tea to be a ritual that requires thought and care. Emirates Cabin Crew receive a specialised tea learning experience, where they discover the sustainable origins of Dilmah tea, are introduced to the unique flavours, learn how to brew the perfect cup, and further enhance flavour with an array of accoutrements- from fresh mint, to honey and lemon.

In First Class, passengers who wish to sweeten their tea are offered natural superfood - honey, locally produced by UAE brand April. First Class passengers can enjoy their tea in a choice of Royal Doulton fine bone teacup or mug, while Business Class passengers are served tea in the Royal Doulton fine bone china mug.

The quality of the water used to make the tea is also considered and regularly monitored, and Emirates ensures that the water tanks, equipment used for transportation and supply lines provide perfectly potable water, through regular disinfection, maintenance, and audits.

Cabin crew also learn about tea and food pairing, where key recommendations for passengers can include pairing seafood, soft cheeses and sushi with green tea, beef and game, sweet desserts, or hard cheeses with black tea, or combining floral teas such as Chamomile with dishes that have a citrus or tart flavour profile – like Emirates new vegan dish - Zucchini tart.

The Dilmah tea estates sit majestically amidst awe-inspiring vistas of abundant waterfalls, rising mountain tops and lush landscapes, producing exceptional quality Ceylon Tea. Ceylon Tea is made from the finest quality tea leaves in pristine estates at the highest elevation, and the tea gets its unique characteristic and flavours from the rich biodiversity of the forest that surrounds it.

Handpicked in the central hills of Sri Lanka, the tea leaves are withered, rolled, fermented, and fired to produce tea with sophisticated aromas, tastes, and textures -fresh from plantation to cup. The purity of Dilmah tea led to the founder, Merrill Fernando nicknaming it ‘natures gift of goodness.’