Tea Tasting 101/Lesson
Using Your Senses
Sense: a discerning awareness and appreciation
Loose Leaf Tea: actual whole tea leaves that have been fired and rolled to release the optimum flavor when brewing
Tea Bags: paper filters containing broken grades of tea leaves called fannings or dusts
As you educate yourself about loose leaf tea
be sure to use your sense of sight, smell and taste
Learning about tea is fascinating! Early on I began my research by calling on reputable tea companies and asking them what samplings they would recommend for a tea lover wishing to learn everything there is to know about quality tea. Harney & Sons was particularly helpful in my research and shared my enthusiasm. I received 15 samplings of tea; started sipping and recorded my findings.
Note: I did find 15 different teas a bit overwhelming at first and took three weeks to experience them all.
How to begin
Order small quantities (enough for 2 cups) of at least 7 types of quality loose-leaf tea.
When the tea arrives
Be sure the tea has been protected from moisture and light and that it smells fresh.
Sprinkle a small amount of loose leaves on flat pieces of white paper
> Observe and touch the dry leaf.† See the color, texture, leaf size, shape, length etc. Note the long, pale green leaves of Ceylon Silver Tips vs. the rolled, dark green pellets or "pearls" of Ali San oolong vs. the dark brown, wiry leaves of Kenilworth Ceylon.
Editor's Notes: I believe this is the point when my eyes were opened to the world of "real" tea.† I no longer looked at tea bags in the same light and although I still like the convenience of tea bags, the flavors, colors and aromas could never compare with loose leaf.
Brew the tea. One sample at a time.
See Recommended Brewing
Tips
When brewing tea you must consider the following: water, temperature of water, and steeping time. Select a teacup that allows you to observe the color. White china cups or clear glass work well. And if you are caffeine sensitive and wish to remove 80% of caffeine prior to sipping see tip below.
Taste the Tea. Sip and savor. Record your results
Expert tea tasters who try many teas at once use spoons and roll the tea on their tongues. I enjoyed tasting 1-3 types a day sipping and savoring the entire cup. Initially start out tasting simply the tea without milk, sugar, honey, etc. Then try a second cup and add the above if you wish to see which teas taste best with the above added and which teas taste best alone.
Spread the Steeped leaves out on white sheets of paper. Record your
observations.
Observe the steeped leaf. Has the leaf remained wiry and
tightly rolled or did the leaf unfurl in the boiling water
and become whole.
Review your Results
Once the tea has been tested for quality and freshness
The choice is simply a matter of individual preference. An
order form is included in the kit with a list of all the teas
choice is simply a matter of individual preference. An order
form is included in the kit with a list of all the teas available in
various sizes depending on your needs.
Try Sampling Tea with Foods
Tips on food
pairings which gives tip on enhancing the food
and drink experience by selecting teas that enhance the
flavor of certain foods.
Tips on Removing the Caffeine from Quality Tea
Approximately 80% of the caffeine in
tea is released during the first 30-seconds of steeping, therefore to
remove most of the caffeine from any tea simply
1) Pour boiling water over the tea leaves
2) Allow the leaves to steep for 30 seconds
3) Pour out the brew, saving the steeped leaves
4) Re-steep the same leaves with more boiling water for the recommended
steeping times.
Note: I have tested this method because I am sensitive to caffeine
and it works! This simple procedure will allow you to enjoy all the teas
of the world without the worry.
Please share your tea tasting experience with us
E-mail us at info@teatimeworldwide.com
