The UK Tea Academy

Sensory analysis and the language of taste is a vital skill to have in the tea industry. In this 1-day masterclass you will gain valuable knowledge of organoleptic testing the five key characteristics: leaf, liquor, aroma, flavour, and mouthfeel. You will be taken on a journey of taste, learn key skills in planning and documenting your findings, and given instruction on how to detect inconsistencies. During the day, you will taste over 20 teas from around the world to provide you with the tools to enable you to confidently describe the tea you are tasting. Join us for a day of sensory delight!

This course is open to everyone - no prior experience is necessary. It also counts as one credit towards our Level 3 Tea Diploma Certification.

To reserve your place on this course, you may complete the registration and pay an initial £150 deposit. You will then be asked to pay the remaining sum 4 weeks before the class (on or before 26th March 2024). Payment of the remaining balance in instalments is also possible, please contact us to arrange this. The deposit is non-refundable.

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WHAT WILL I LEARN?

• Background to tea tasting – why we taste, how it differs around the world. 
• Your body’s requirements – eyes, mouth, nose, memory – plus the art of the slurp.
• Space, equipment and methodology – tasting room, crockery, water, temperature, documentation.
• Five core characteristics – leaf, liquor, aroma, flavour, mouthfeel.
• Tea tasting language – categorisation, consistency, terminology.
• Origin specific characteristics – black tea and green tea.
• Detecting problems – manufacture, processing, storage, physical contamination, chemical contaminations, food adulteration. 
• Tasting in your business/personally – facility set up, establishing language, batch control, documentation, training.

This 1 day course is held in partnership with Blends for Friends, at their facility near Sevenoaks, Kent. The tutor is Alex Probyn.

Arrival at 9am for a 9.15am start.

Lunch, snacks, and of course tea, are included. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements.

The course will be held at:

Blends For Friends Ltd.

The Tea Barn
Coney Shaw Farm
Kemsing Road
TN15 6NN
United Kingdom

The nearest train station is Borough Green & Wrotham (direct trains from London Victoria and Charing Cross/London Bridge). Collection and drop-off from the station can be arranged at no extra cost. For those driving, there is plenty of free parking.

If you are interested in this course and would like more information on local accommodation and transport, please email us.

NB *** As this is an in-person course, we need a minimum number of participants to for it to run. Once you book, we will keep in touch with you regarding the running of the course. Please do not make final travel /accommodation arrangements until we have confirmed that the course will go ahead ***

This course is scheduled to coincide with our 1-day Tea Blending Masterclass, also taught by Alex @ Blends for Friends, on Friday 26th April 2024. Anyone booking both courses will be eligible for a discounted price. Please email info@ukteaacademy.com if you are interested.

Completion of this masterclass will count as one credit towards our Level 3 Tea Diploma qualification.

This masterclasses are open to anyone. If you are working towards a final Level Three qualification but you have not yet achieved your Level Two Tea Sommelier qualification, you will still receive a credit towards the Tea Diploma qualification.