Diana Riquel is the founder of MY TEA WORKSHOP the first School of Tea in Ireland. She has been a tea sommelier and tea blender for more than 10 years. She loves everything related to tea, culture, books, and afternoon tea but mostly, the capacity that tea has to bring people together.

My relationship with tea.

My relationship with tea is a little more than just an interest. As a child, my herbalist grandmother used to give me her famous "tea concoctions" every time I was feeling sick. Other times, we used to drink “Mate”, had conversations and watch the hummingbirds through her bedroom window for hours.

What is tea for me? It is a warm and magical feeling, harmony, redemption, joy, peace of mind, my time for meditation and introspection, friends, and ancient wisdom; it is a ceremony of life. It is the history of the world in a cup of tea.

Learning is caring.

More than 10 years ago, I was certified as a Tea Sommelier in the Argentinean Tea School to follow as a part of job training. Many other tea training and courses came along in different institutions. I was invited to develop the communications of a new tea start-up and I did not have a clue about the world of tea. I firmly believe that you cannot communicate what you do not know so, I studied as much as I could.

In the end, I took over the business and I became the first Tea Sommelier in my county. I created the first Tea Event Planning business, "La Comunidad del Té", offering afternoon tea and tea tastings, to celebrate social and corporate events. I had the privilege to be the first person teaching about tea in my city, Mar del Plata, delivering tea training and workshops for the hospitality industry and the general public.

Now here I am teaching and designing bespoke gourmet tea blends in Ireland.

ESTA

I dream about a worldwide standardised tea education. We need unified criteria. As one of the first ATC, I am proud to be part of an organisation that is raising the standards of tea education, supporting the speciality tea industry in all aspects of tea production from bush to cup; and working alongside other tea organisations, sharing knowledge. Are you looking for more? Join us to discover the vast world of tea!!! The Introduction to Tea module is the perfect opportunity, practical and fun way, to learn the basics about speciality tea.