2009's biggest tea trend is for tea tasting

20th January 2009

You might think that a cup of tea is simply a cup of tea, but while the brews all stem from the same plant there are a myriad of different blends which, just like wine, have distinct flavours and personalities. Alexandra Fullerton discovers the new crop of Tea Tasting Masterclasses where fans can learn all about their favourite tea, while indulging in a cuppa or two, of course!

For the ultimate in in-depth tea-tasting knowledge Tea Writer and Consultant Jane Pettigrew's Masterclasses are a treat. During the day-long Masterclasses (usually held at the Chesterfield Hotel in London) you'll learn about tea's history, it's manufacture, the differences between blends and get tips on how to brew the perfect pot - as well as tasting a variety of teas.
 
If you're worried about wine-taster style swirling and spitting, Jane reveals that although professional tea-tasting is "carried out in exactly the same way as wine tasting, at tasting events we usually drink the teas." That's alright then. To book information, click here.

If you can't make a class, these are Jane's top tips for tasting at home:
* Look for brightness, colour, aroma, taste and mouthfeel
* Examine the dry leaf's appearance to check it doesn't look dull, lifeless, old or musty
* The liquid should be clear and sparkling with a bright rim around the edge
* The smell will give you a clue whether it's a good example of it's category and origin
* Then taste it - the mouthfeel will reveal if it's as full-flavoured as expected
 
"When we taste from a particular origin we expect certain characteristics and constantly compare the taste and aroma of the new tea to our previous experience and memories," Jane reveals. "For example, good Darjeelings have a muscatel grape fruitiness, Assam has a sweet, smooth, maltiness, Taiwanese Oolong has light hyacinth-like floral notes and Yunnan teas have a rich, oily woodiness".
 
Even if you're expecting a type of tea to taste a certain way Jane reminds us that, "only with correct brewing and tasting can each tea reveal it's true nature."

Tea-tasting is a country-wide phenomenon...
* Liverpool's Leaf tea shop hosts the city's first Tea Tasting Masterclass on January 20th. The bare brick-space doubles as an art gallery, nightclub and cinema and is housed amongst artists' studios. There's not a doily in sight - although there is a rather fetching collection of vintage tea sets housed in an old-fashioned shop cabinet. Natalie Haywood, founder and owner, decided to set up the class to "educate people about whole loose leaf tea instead of the dust they drink in their tea bags". Call 0151 707 7747 to book a place. www.thisisleaf.co.uk

* You can also talk tea with Master Tea Blender Alex Probyn on one of his Tea Tasting days in London. As well as genning up on different styles of tea (and tasting up to 24 different types) you'll get the chance to create a personalised blend for you to take away.
Book a place through Red Letter Days or www.blendsforfriends.com.

* Melissa Choi, Managing Director and founder of Chinese tea company Choi Time, hosts regular free tastings too. Coming up? A sampling session at the Country Living Fair (March 11th - 15th) and an open-house tasting on April 18th at chic boutique Coco Ribbon. Call 0845 0533 269 or email info@choitime.com for more info.
 
* However, if you're more interested in the foodie accompaniments to tea, Claridges offer an Afternoon Tea Masterclass. As one of the most luxurious venues to while away an afternoon of tea-taking, the Mayfair hotel is well placed to educate on the art of the tea table. During the course the hotel's pastry chef, Nick Patterson, demonstrates how to make delicious pastries and reveals the secrets of perfect scone-making. To book, call 020 7409 6307.