When we drink tea, we taste the unique terroir and microclimate of the tea cultivar—whether it’s the granite cliffs of rock tea, or bamboo hills of green tea, or softness of midnight jasmine. Here are some basic steps to appreciating tea.
The steps outlined are very similar to wine tasting. A good leaf will have many levels of flavor that’s expressed through several brews.
Allow the flavors to develop in your mouth, enjoy each breath and sip of it.
When we drink tea, we taste the unique terroir and microclimate of the tea cultivar—whether it’s the granite cliffs of rock tea, or bamboo hills of green tea, or softness of midnight jasmine. Here are some basic steps to appreciating tea.
The steps outlined are very similar to wine tasting. A good leaf will have many levels of flavor that’s expressed through several brews.
Allow the flavors to develop in your mouth, enjoy each breath and sip of it.
Look at your tea
Notice the color and the clarity of the tea.
Good teas have a clarity and brightness in the tea liquid regardless the color.
Inhale the aroma
Take a deep breath and inhale the fragrance of the tea and if you like, the infused tea leaves themselves.
Tall and narrow tea cups are ideal to concentrate fragrance.
Sip your tea slowly
Let the tea sit on your palate for a few moments before swallowing.
Allow the tea to gently move around your palate.
Notice the texture, the body, aromas, minerality, etc. on the palate.
Be aware of hot tea temperature before you sip your tea, take small sips to avoid burns.
Breath
After you swallow, allow the fragrance of the tea to remain on your palate by exhaling through the nose while relaxing your mouth.
Relaxing your mouth will allow a “cave” of aroma to fill your palate.
Notice the different levels of fragrance that evolve with each brew.
Notice the length and finish
Some teas leaves a long taste and strong finish that can range from dry and sweet, to soft, fruity, or many combinations depending on the tea.
Fragrance at the bottom of your cup
Some teas will have a leave delicious lingering scent on the drained cup.
Enjoy this fragrance.
Look at your tea
Notice the color and the clarity of the tea.
Good teas have a clarity and brightness in the tea liquid regardless the color.
Inhale the aroma
Take a deep breath and inhale the fragrance of the tea and if you like, the infused tea leaves themselves.
Tall and narrow tea cups are ideal to concentrate fragrance.
Sip your tea slowly
Let the tea sit on your palate for a few moments before swallowing.
Allow the tea to gently move around your palate.
Notice the texture, the body, aromas, minerality, etc. on the palate.
Be aware of hot tea temperature before you sip your tea, take small sips to avoid burns.
Breath
After you swallow, allow the fragrance of the tea to remain on your palate by exhaling through the nose while relaxing your mouth.
Relaxing your mouth will allow a “cave” of aroma to fill your palate.
Notice the different levels of fragrance that evolve with each brew.
Notice the length and finish
Some teas leaves a long taste and strong finish that can range from dry and sweet, to soft, fruity, or many combinations depending on the tea.
Fragrance at the bottom of your cup
Some teas will have a leave delicious lingering scent on the drained cup.
Enjoy this fragrance.