How to Become a Professional Tea Taster

If you think that tea sommeliers are similar to wine sommeliers, you are correct! Tea was already the world’s most popular beverage next to water. So, it makes sense that tea is continuing to evolve and grow into more than just a beverage.

There is a surge of growing interest in the nuances of specialty teas and tea education. Now, classes and certification programs for tea sommeliers are slowly becoming more popular all over the world.

Some love tea as a healthy, sugar-free alternative to juice or soda. Others enjoy the energy boost and have switched over from coffee, so they don’t experience that caffeine crash anymore. And some people just enjoy irresistible and sweet dessert-like teas such as authentic chai and boba. 

With so many types of tea expressions and tea experiences, it’s no wonder tea sommeliers are starting to pop up all over the place. They are people whose expertise lies in, well, tea! 

Today, you’ll learn all about tea sommeliers and what jobs they have. You’ll also discover the expertise and skills behind tea sommeliers, how to become one yourself, and what the future holds for this nuanced career path.

What is a Tea Sommelier?

Tea sommeliers are people who, much like wine sommeliers, are experts in the growth, taste, history, and preparation of tea so that it can be experienced in the best way. They can recommend how to better prepare and consume tea and can create tasting menus. They study the complexity of tea leaves, harvesting seasons, oxidation levels, and cultural traditions. 

Some tea sommeliers have especially deep tea knowledge, and many can tell you what mountain a tea was grown on. Experts can do that just by tasting the leaf’s liquor. Those people are like magicians. 

Every Tea Som has their specialties, of course. Some might be experts in blended and scented tea, while some might be green tea experts. Some might be enthusiastic about Fujian province tea cultivars, and others might be experts when it comes to knowledge about soil and terroir and its impact on flavor.

What Does a Tea Sommelier Do?

The daily responsibilities of a Tea Som depend on where they work and what facet of the tea industry they specialize in. An expert in boba tea is going to have very different opinions about taste and the drinking experience than an expert who specializes in jasmine-scented green leaf teas. Here are some responsibilities of typical tea sommeliers.

Taste and Sensory Knowledge

All tea sommeliers drink and taste a variety of teas so they can compare and contrast through their nuanced sensory training. They will take notes and compare characteristics like flavor, mouthfeel, aroma, color, astringency, and the finish. They can compare the freshness and quality of teas and build a library of tea profiles.

Selecting and Sourcing

Many of them purchase teas directly from tea gardens and plantations, estates, and importers. It’s a necessary step, especially when it comes to sourcing higher-quality and specialty teas. They must have steadfast knowledge of harvesting seasons across different regions of the world, and hopefully practice ethical sourcing with reputable tea plantations.

Steeping and Brewing

A tea sommelier must understand how to steep tea properly, using the correct temperature and time so the tea leaves release the best flavor. They must be so practiced in this that they recognize when exceptions to the rules can apply. For instance, they may even be able to realize when an oolong must be steeped in hotter or cooler water, depending on how green or black the tea leaf is.

Tea Pairings and Menu Creation

Tea sommeliers, whose role is in a hospitality setting, might curate incredible tasting menus that pair food and desserts with different types of tea. This practice may also be incorporated into hospitality experiences like wellness retreats. In this space, tea is brought to the forefront and recognized as a refined and intentional experience rather than an afterthought.

Tea Educators

A great majority of a tea sommelier’s role may be in the education space. They will train the staff, host tea tastings, create and lead workshops, and even write educational content. They are guides in helping people discover their favorite teas based on taste, wellness goals, and personal experience.

What Jobs Do Tea Sommeliers Do?

You can expect to see tea sommeliers running tea shops and online stores. Some work with tea brands and companies to help cultivate their tea flavors and inventory. Others work in hospitality settings such as high-end hotels to design tea menus and offer advice to restaurant proprietors. 

Beyond this, you can find them working in wellness spaces. Spas, retreats, and wellness getaways are popular places you might find a tea sommelier. Many of them are in the education space and have written books, educational materials, blogs, and may even consult or create content.

How to Become a Tea Sommelier

Most of the tea sommeliers complete some kind of formal training through an accredited educational program. The most reputable organizations include:

-Specialty Tea Institute (STI)

-UK Tea Academy

-International Tea Masters Association (ITMA)

There is the Certified Tea & Herbal Association of Canada (TAC) Sommelier program. They offer online and in-person classes in both French and English. This program covers the tasting, pairing, history, and business behind the world of tea.

With so many global programs available — and many with online options — there are plenty of job perspectives for tea sommeliers around the world.

What the Future Holds for Tea Sommeliers

Working as a tea sommelier is about more than just tasting tea — it really is about history, nuanced flavor, and telling stories that brilliantly tie the history of the tea into the present moment. Tea sommeliers have an important role in maintaining consistency and quality for various teas across the industry. 

Tea experts are strong voices that can uplift the ethical practices of the industry and promote sustainable sourcing. They have the knowledge to educate customers so they can choose better quality teas that suit their lifestyle and personal preferences. They can preserve the importance of tea history while also welcoming new facets of modern tea culture.

In a large and crowded market of tea growers, blenders, and sellers, tea sommeliers can provide transparency backed by trust, training, and authority. 

Leaders in the Tea Industry

Tea sommeliers are becoming more essential in the industry as we all seek out better ingredients, more transparency, and create more meaningful tea rituals. A Tea Som’s role goes well beyond tasting and trickles into the wellness space, sustainability, education, brand awareness, and leadership.

You might not want to be the next big tea sommelier, but you seek out better ingredients, responsibly-sourced teas, and create meaningful rituals. You want to know that your favorite tea suppliers are doing their part to leave this world a better place. And this is where Teabloom comes in to be your guide.

Since the very beginning, their teaware and teas have been responsibly created and sourced with nothing but your health and wellness in mind. Their teaware is made of pure borosilicate glass, which is chemical-free and sustainable. They also work closely with plantations and tea gardens to grow organic and natural teas in small batches for higher quality control and responsible harvesting. 

Expand your knowledge and visit Teabloom’s blog. Or, find your new favorite teaware or tea in their thoughtful collections today.

www.Teabloom.com