Find the Words for What You Taste
Structured sessions that help you build confidence in your palate and discover the language of tea tasting
Back to HomeWhat You'll Gain From These Sessions
These sessions offer something valuable: the ability to articulate what you're experiencing when you taste tea. That gap between sensing something and being able to name it begins to close. You'll develop a vocabulary that connects your perceptions to words, making tea shopping less overwhelming and conversations about tea more natural.
You can expect to leave each session with increased awareness of flavor categories, aroma profiles, and quality indicators. The knowledge builds session by session, helping you recognize patterns and make connections. Your confidence grows as you realize your palate is more capable than you thought.
Beyond the technical skills, there's a quieter benefit. Tea tasting becomes a form of mindful attention, a practice that asks you to slow down and notice. Many participants find this aspect unexpectedly rewarding, a small window of intentional focus in their week.
You Know What You Like, But Not Why
Perhaps you've stood in a tea shop, looking at descriptions that promise "bright notes" or "smooth body," wondering what those terms actually mean in the cup. The language feels inaccessible, like everyone else learned something you missed. When you try a tea, you know whether you enjoy it, but explaining why to a shop employee or friend feels uncertain.
This isn't about lacking sophistication. It's about not having a framework for what you're already perceiving. Your senses pick up on differences between teas, but without the vocabulary to name them, those observations stay vague. The gap between experience and expression leaves you relying on trial and error rather than informed choices.
There's also the hesitation that comes with not knowing the "right" way to taste. You might worry about saying something that reveals your inexperience, or feel pressure to detect notes you're not certain are there. This self-consciousness can make exploring tea feel more stressful than enjoyable.
A Structured Path to Understanding
Our guided sessions break tea tasting into manageable components. Each session focuses on a specific category, origin, or processing method. This focused approach lets you notice distinctions that might blur together when tasting randomly. You're comparing like with like, which makes differences clearer and learning more systematic.
A knowledgeable facilitator guides the experience without dictating what you should taste. They provide context about what creates certain characteristics, offer vocabulary for what you're perceiving, and encourage you to trust your own observations. The emphasis is on developing your palate, not memorizing correct answers. Different people notice different things, and that's not only acceptable but expected.
You'll learn techniques for evaluating tea methodically: how to observe dry leaves, assess aroma, identify flavor components, and notice how a tea changes as it cools. These aren't complicated rituals but practical approaches that help you gather more information from each cup. The structure supports discovery rather than constraining it.
What to Expect During Sessions
Setting and Atmosphere
Sessions take place in a comfortable tasting room designed to minimize distractions. You'll sit with a small group, typically six to eight participants, which allows for both shared observations and individual exploration. The pace is unhurried, giving you time to notice details without feeling rushed to the next tea.
Session Structure
Each session begins with an introduction to the day's theme and what you'll be tasting. You'll receive tasting notes to record your observations. The facilitator demonstrates evaluation techniques, then guides you through tasting each tea. There's time for questions, discussion of what people are noticing, and deeper exploration of particularly interesting characteristics.
Learning Progression
You'll notice your abilities developing across sessions. Early sessions focus on broad categories and basic vocabulary. Later ones introduce more nuanced distinctions and complex flavor profiles. The progression feels natural rather than overwhelming, building on what you've learned without requiring you to have perfect recall.
Investment in Your Tea Journey
Guided Tasting Session
Per session investment
What's Included
- Structured tasting of four to six carefully selected teas focused on a specific theme
- Guidance from an experienced facilitator who helps you develop evaluation techniques
- Detailed tasting notes and reference materials to take home
- Small group setting that encourages discussion while allowing individual exploration
- Access to session recordings and supplementary resources for continued learning
The value extends beyond the session itself. You're building skills you'll use every time you choose or taste tea, making this knowledge increasingly practical over time. Many participants find that a few sessions significantly change how they approach tea, opening up categories they previously overlooked.
How Your Skills Develop
Palate development follows a recognizable pattern. Initially, you'll notice broad distinctions: green versus black teas, or oxidized versus unoxidized. Within a session or two, you begin picking up on subtler variations within those categories. By your third or fourth session, you're often able to identify specific processing characteristics or regional qualities.
We track this progression through your tasting notes, which become more detailed and precise over time. Early notes might say "grassy" or "sweet." Later ones specify what kind of grassiness or which type of sweetness. This evolution happens naturally as your awareness increases and vocabulary expands. It's not about memorizing descriptions but about having words for what you're actually perceiving.
Most participants notice meaningful improvement within three to five sessions. That doesn't mean you know everything about tea at that point, but you have a functional framework. You can walk into a tea shop with clearer preferences, ask informed questions, and evaluate whether a tea matches what you're looking for. The foundation is solid enough to support continued independent exploration.
Our Commitment to Your Experience
We want you to feel good about attending these sessions. If you come to your first session and find it's not what you hoped, we'll refund your investment. This isn't about complex terms or conditions. If it doesn't work for you, we'd rather you explore other paths to learning about tea than continue with something that doesn't feel right.
Before committing to a session, you're welcome to reach out with questions. We can discuss what specific sessions might suit your interests, what level of experience they assume, and what you can realistically expect to learn. There's no pressure to book immediately. Taking time to be sure this approach fits your learning style makes sense.
The sessions are designed for genuine learning, not to sell you tea or equipment. We maintain relationships with various tea sources and will share recommendations when asked, but there's no agenda beyond helping you develop your palate. Your growing confidence and enjoyment of tea is the outcome we're working toward.
Getting Started Is Simple
Reach Out
Use the contact form to introduce yourself and ask any questions. Let us know what draws you to tea tasting and what you hope to learn. We'll respond with information about upcoming sessions and help you choose one that matches your interests.
Reserve Your Spot
Sessions are kept small, so spots are limited. Once you've decided on a session, we'll send you details about timing, location, and what to expect. You'll receive confirmation along with any preparation suggestions, though these sessions don't require advance work.
Join the Session
Arrive with curiosity and an open mind. Everything you need will be provided. The facilitator will guide you through the process, and you'll have opportunities to ask questions and share observations. Most participants find the experience more relaxed and enjoyable than they anticipated.
Ready to Develop Your Palate?
Join us for a guided tasting session and begin building the skills to articulate what you taste. Your tea journey becomes more informed and enjoyable when you have the vocabulary to describe your experiences.
Schedule Your First SessionExplore Other Ways to Learn
We offer several approaches to tea education. Each serves different learning styles and goals.
Comparative Tea Flights
Experience curated tea flights that illuminate how variables like oxidation, terroir, and processing affect the final cup. Ideal for analytical tasting and understanding tea's variables more deeply.
Private Tasting Events
Host a tea tasting designed for your group. We create an experience that fits your group's interests and knowledge level, whether educational, celebratory, or both.