How to Become a Tea Taster: Courses, Age Limit, Eligibility, Colleges, Career Options

Tea tasting is a unique and highly specialised profession that combines the art and science of evaluating tea leaves and brewed tea to determine their quality, flavor, and market value. Tea tasters play a crucial role in the tea industry, ensuring that only the best quality tea reaches consumers.  

Becoming a tea taster involves a combination of formal education, specialised courses, and practical experience. By taking advantage of the various courses and programs available, you can develop the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in this unique and rewarding profession. Whether you pursue formal certifications, attend workshops, or gain hands-on experience through internships, the journey to becoming a tea taster is one of continuous learning and exploration.

While there is no specific degree required to become a tea taster, having a background in food science, botany, or agriculture can be beneficial. Many tea tasters hold degrees in these fields, providing a strong foundation for understanding plant biology, chemistry, and food technology. This guide will explore the steps, skills, and knowledge required to become a successful tea taster.

Understanding the Role of a Tea Taster

A tea taster's primary responsibility is to evaluate the quality of tea by assessing its appearance, aroma, taste, and overall flavor profile. This involves:

• Visual Inspection: Assessing the size, shape, and color of the dry leaves.
• Aroma Evaluation: Smelling the dry and brewed leaves to identify distinct aromas.
• Tasting: Sipping and slurping the brewed tea to examine its flavor, body, and aftertaste.
• Quality Control: Ensuring consistency and quality across batches.
• Blending: Creating unique blends by combining different types of teas.
• Market Analysis: Understanding consumer preferences and market trends.

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Educational Background 

Becoming a tea taster involves developing a deep understanding of tea cultivation, processing, and sensory evaluation. While formal education is not always required, taking specialised courses can significantly enhance your knowledge and skills. Here are some courses and programs that can help you become a proficient tea taster:

• Professional Tea Tasting and Blending Courses

To become a professional in tea tasting aspirants can do following courses

World Tea Academy

World Tea Academy offers a series of online courses designed for tea professionals. The Professional Tea Tasting course covers the essentials of tasting, evaluating, and describing tea. The World Tea Academy offers courses in Foundations of Tea, Professional Tea Tasting, Tea Blending

International Tea Masters Association (ITMA)

ITMA provides in-depth courses and certification programs for aspiring tea tasters. The courses cover tea tasting, blending, and the science behind tea. ITMA offers courses in Certified Tea Master, Certified Tea Sommelier, Certified Tea Blender.

• Tea Sommelier Certification Programs

Aspirants can do tea sommelier certification programs from following institutes:

Tea and Herbal Association of Canada

This program provides comprehensive training in tea knowledge, from cultivation to preparation and tasting. It is designed for those who want to become tea sommeliers. Once the candidate finishes the course he/she will be awarded tea sommelier certification.

UK Tea Academy

The UK Tea Academy offers various levels of certification, starting from basic tea knowledge to advanced tea tasting and blending techniques. Candidates must note that the academy offers courses in Tea Champion, Tea Sommelier, Tea Master.

• University Courses and Degrees

University of California, Davis (UC Davis)

UC Davis offers courses on tea as part of their extension programs. These courses cover tea history, culture, and sensory evaluation. The courses offered at the University are introduction to Tea, Advanced Tea Studies

Zhejiang University, China

Zhejiang University offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in tea science. The program covers tea cultivation, processing, chemistry, and tasting. The Course offered by the University is in Tea Science.

• Specialised Tea Schools and Institutes in India

Indian Institute of Plantation Management, Bangalore

This IIPM Bangalore offers specialised training in tea management, including tea tasting, cultivation, and processing. – Candidates can pursue Postgraduate Diploma in Tea Management from this institute.

Darjeeling Tea Research and Development Centre, India

Located in the heart of India's tea country, this center offers workshops focused on the unique qualities of Darjeeling tea and practical tasting skills. The development centre holds several Tea Tasting and Processing Workshops around the year.

NITM Siliguri

At the Certificate level, NITM provides a three-month Tea Tasting Certificate course. For the whole length of the course, the total tuition cost is INR 50,000. Please visit to find out more about the various courses that NITM offers within the Certificate program.

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Hands-on experience is crucial for becoming a tea taster. Here are some ways to gain practical experience:

• Internships and Entry-Level Positions

Tea Plantations: Working on a tea plantation provides valuable insight into tea cultivation, harvesting, and processing.

Tea Companies: Joining a tea company as an intern or in an entry-level position can help you learn about the various aspects of the tea industry, from production to marketing.

Tea Tasting Apprenticeships: Some tea companies offer apprenticeships under experienced tea tasters, providing direct training and mentorship.

• Developing Sensory Skills: A tea taster needs to have highly developed sensory skills to accurately evaluate tea. These skills can be honed through practice and training.

• Aroma Training

Scent Kits: Use aroma training kits designed to enhance your olfactory senses.

Regular Practice: Smell different types of teas and other aromatic substances to improve your ability to identify distinct scents.

• Taste Training

Taste Wheels: Use tea taste wheels to familiarize yourself with the different flavor profiles of tea.

Palate Training: Taste a wide variety of teas regularly to develop your palate and ability to distinguish subtle differences.

Also Read: List of IHMs in India: Rankings, Admissions and Courses

Understanding Tea Varieties and Cultivation

A deep understanding of tea varieties and their cultivation is essential for a tea taster. This includes:

Types of Tea

• Black Tea: Fully oxidised tea known for its robust flavor and dark color.
• Green Tea: Unoxidised tea with a light, fresh flavor.
• Oolong Tea: Partially oxidised tea that falls between black and green tea in terms of flavor and color.
• White Tea: Minimally processed tea with a delicate flavor.
• Herbal Tea: Infusions made from herbs, flowers, and fruits, not true tea leaves.

 Mastering the Art of Tea Tasting

Tea tasting is both an art and a science. Mastery involves developing a systematic approach to evaluating tea.

Tasting Procedure

• Preparation: Measure a specific amount of tea leaves and brew them for a set time at the correct temperature.
• Visual Inspection: Examine the dry leaves for uniformity and color.
• Aroma Assessment: Smell the dry leaves, then the wet leaves after brewing.
• Tasting: Slurp the tea to aerate it and spread it across your palate. This helps in identifying complex flavors.
• Evaluation: Assess the tea's flavor, body, astringency, sweetness, bitterness, and aftertaste.

Recording Observations

Tasting Notes: Maintain detailed tasting notes for each tea, including its appearance, aroma, taste, and any distinguishing characteristics.

Scorecards: Use standardized scorecards to rate teas based on various parameters.

Keeping Up with Industry Trends

The tea industry is dynamic, with new trends and consumer preferences constantly emerging. Staying informed about these trends is crucial for a tea taster.

Industry Publications

Tea Magazines and Journals: Subscribe to industry publications to stay updated on the latest news and developments.

Research Papers: Read research papers on tea science, cultivation, and processing.

Networking

Tea Associations: Join tea associations and professional organisations to network with other tea professionals.

Trade Shows and Expos: Attend tea trade shows and expos to learn about new products, technologies, and market trends.

Career Opportunities

As a certified tea taster, various career opportunities are available in the tea industry.

• Tea Companies

Quality Control: Ensuring the quality and consistency of tea products.

Product Development: Creating new tea blends and products.

• Tea Exporters and Importers

Grading and Sourcing: Evaluating and sourcing high-quality teas from different regions.

• Tea Retailers

Advisory Roles: Advising customers on tea selection and pairing.

• Independent Consultant: Providing expert advice to tea companies, plantations, and retailers.

Becoming a tea taster requires a combination of education, practical experience, and a keen sensory perception. It is a career that demands dedication, passion, and continuous learning. By following the steps outlined in this guide, aspiring tea tasters can develop the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in this unique and rewarding profession. Whether working for a tea company, as a consultant, or in any other capacity, tea tasters play a vital role in maintaining the quality and diversity of the tea we enjoy every day.