Forget about beer and wine tasting, there’s a new kid on the block! We’re talking about tea tasting… But before you enjoy this partea, here’s what you need to look for when tasting tea:
- Consistency. This refers to the colour, texture and scent of the leaves. Good tea will be consistent across all of the leaves and not just some of them. Pay attention to what you can see in the leaves and take note of any obvious characteristics like shape and shades.
- Look at the infusion. What colours do you notice and is the brew milky or clear? Is there an oil-like film? Examine the liquid and take notes, there is a reason for the way it looks…
- Get scent-sational… Smell the tea and try and pick up what aromas you should be getting on your nose. Is it grassy, earthy, fruity or nutty? The options are endless so, smell away!
- Taste it. What are the first notes that you get on your tongue? Is there a certain mouthfeel? Do the flavours develop over time or do you experience an aftertaste? Some flavours may be delicate and some may linger longer than others.
Now that you’re up to speed with tea tasting techniques, you can sample like a pro or watch our very own Director and Master Tea Taster Jonathan Kelsey, show you how its done. (Excerpt from Expresso Morning Show on SABC 3 01/06/2017)
