Tea Education Series
Build comprehensive understanding across six sessions that take you from basic curiosity to confident appreciation
Develop the kind of understanding that changes how you experience tea
This progressive program takes you from basic awareness to genuine competence over six carefully structured sessions. You'll learn how tea grows, how it's processed, why regions matter, what affects flavor, and how to describe what you're tasting with clarity and confidence.
What emerges isn't just theoretical knowledge—it's practical ability that enhances every cup you brew. You'll find yourself making better selections, noticing subtleties you previously missed, and feeling comfortable discussing tea with anyone from casual drinkers to serious enthusiasts. The learning becomes part of how you engage with tea naturally.
Perhaps tea knowledge feels scattered and incomplete
You've picked up bits of information here and there—an article about oxidation levels, a conversation about water temperature, a documentary featuring tea pickers. But these fragments don't connect into a coherent understanding. You're left with pieces that don't quite fit together.
When you try to learn on your own, the available information feels either too basic or overwhelmingly technical. Beginner guides explain things you already know, while expert resources assume knowledge you haven't acquired yet. You're stuck in an uncomfortable middle ground with no clear path forward.
You'd like to develop systematic knowledge—something structured that builds logically and fills in the gaps. Self-guided study hasn't provided that framework, and you're uncertain where to find it. What you need is a progression that meets you where you are and guides you methodically toward real competence.
A structured journey through tea knowledge
The series consists of six sessions spread over six weeks, with each session building directly on what came before. We start with foundational concepts about the tea plant itself—its biology, growing conditions, and what affects its development. This gives you the context needed to understand everything that follows.
From there, we explore processing methods and how different techniques create the major tea categories you encounter. You'll taste examples of each category while learning what distinguishes them at a fundamental level. The sensory experience reinforces the conceptual learning, making abstract ideas concrete and memorable.
As the series progresses, we examine regional traditions, brewing variables, and develop vocabulary for describing what you're experiencing. Each session includes guided tastings, opportunities to ask questions, and materials you can reference later. The small class size ensures you're not lost in a crowd.
The approach is methodical without being rigid. If a particular topic generates significant interest, we follow that curiosity. If something feels unclear, we revisit it from different angles until it makes sense. The goal is your understanding, not covering material at a predetermined pace.
What each session offers
Tea Plant Biology & Growing Conditions
Understanding where tea comes from and what affects its character before it's even picked. We examine climate, soil, elevation, cultivars, and agricultural practices that shape the raw material for all tea.
Processing Methods & Tea Categories
How fresh leaves become white, green, oolong, black, or dark tea through specific processing techniques. We taste representative examples while discussing oxidation, heat application, and timing decisions that define each category.
Regional Traditions & Terroir
Exploring how different tea-growing regions developed distinct approaches and why location matters for character. We examine Chinese, Japanese, Indian, and other origins, tasting teas that express their geographical identity clearly.
Brewing Variables & Technique
How water temperature, steeping time, leaf quantity, and vessel choice affect the final cup. We practice brewing the same tea multiple ways to experience how variables shift character, building your ability to adjust intentionally.
Sensory Evaluation & Tasting Vocabulary
Developing language for describing what you perceive and learning to evaluate tea quality systematically. We practice identifying flavors, aromas, textures, and other characteristics using shared vocabulary that enables clear communication.
Integration & Continued Learning
Bringing everything together through comprehensive tasting exercises that apply what you've learned. We discuss how to continue developing your knowledge independently and connect with tea communities that support ongoing exploration.
Class format: Each session lasts approximately 90 minutes and includes both presentation and hands-on tasting. Classes are kept small—typically 6-10 participants—to encourage questions and dialogue. Sessions happen weekly, giving you time to practice and reflect between meetings.
The practical details
Investment
Complete six-session series
What's included
- Six 90-minute sessions over six weeks covering comprehensive tea knowledge
- All tea samples for guided tastings during each session
- Detailed reference materials for each topic covered
- Small class size ensuring personal attention and dialogue opportunities
- Practical exercises building skills you'll use independently
- Access to instructor between sessions for questions
- Certificate of completion recognizing your participation
Schedule flexibility
Series run several times throughout the year. Sessions typically happen one evening per week for six consecutive weeks. If you need to miss a session, we record key content and can arrange brief individual catch-up time to ensure you stay current with the material.
Payment options: Full payment of $180 USD secures your spot, or you can arrange two payments of $95 USD each if that works better for your budget. We want the series to be accessible, so reach out if you need to discuss alternatives.
Why this structured approach works
Learning tea systematically produces better results than accumulating random facts. When you understand foundational concepts first, everything that follows makes more sense. The progressive structure ensures you're building on solid ground rather than memorizing disconnected information.
We've refined this curriculum since launching the series in early 2020. The current structure reflects what actually helps people develop lasting competence. Each session addresses common confusion points we've identified, and the pacing allows time for concepts to settle before adding new layers.
The combination of conceptual learning and sensory experience creates multiple pathways for understanding. When you taste something while learning why it tastes that way, the knowledge integrates more deeply than studying theory alone. Most participants report that tea never quite returns to being ordinary after completing the series.
What participants typically gain
- • Confidence selecting teas based on understanding rather than guesswork
- • Ability to brew different tea types appropriately and adjust when needed
- • Vocabulary for describing tea characteristics clearly and accurately
- • Framework for continued learning and exploration independently
- • Connection with others who share serious interest in tea
You can try the series without full commitment
If you attend the first session and decide the series isn't what you were hoping for, we'll refund your full payment. We'd rather you feel certain about continuing than proceed with something that doesn't meet your needs or learning preferences.
Before registering, you're welcome to schedule a conversation where we can discuss what you're hoping to learn and whether this series addresses those goals. We can also connect you with someone who's completed the program if you'd like to hear about their experience firsthand.
The series represents a time investment as well as a financial one. We want you to feel confident that it's worth both. If we sense that another path might serve you better—perhaps starting with a single sourcing journey session or working on specific skills first—we'll tell you honestly.
How to join the next series
Express interest
Send us a message through the contact form below. Tell us about your current tea knowledge and what you're hoping to develop. We'll respond within two business days with information about upcoming series start dates.
Review series details
We'll share the complete schedule, session locations or virtual access details, and answer any questions about what the series involves. If you'd like to speak with us or a past participant before deciding, we can arrange that.
Secure your place
Once you're ready to proceed, we'll send registration information. Classes fill on a first-registered basis and are capped at 10 participants, so early registration ensures you get your preferred start date.
Attend first session
You'll receive all necessary details before the first meeting. Come with whatever questions or curiosity you have—no preparation is required. After the first session, you'll have a clear sense of whether the series meets your expectations.
Ready to build comprehensive tea knowledge?
Share what you're hoping to learn and any questions about the series structure. We'll help you determine if this program aligns with your goals and learning preferences.
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