How We Conduct Our Tea Tasting Events

This is somewhat of a misnomer actually, since it’s more than just a ‘mere’ tasting event.

Unlike wine tasting, one does not go home and pop the cork, expecting substantially the same taste that one has tasted earlier.

Brewing techniques do matter which- as a shameless plug- is why we have scores of articles and videos on this topic.

Hence at our recent green tea tasting event, it was billed as “not just tea tasting”. We brought 4 types of green teas and demonstrated 4 brewing methods.

We also explained the rationale behind the respective brewing method, so that you can replicate the taste you enjoyed at our events, in your homes.

After all, there is no sense in providing an unforgettable tea taste that only remains part of your memory.

Sequence of events

To maximize interaction and provide a more comfortable environment we restricted the slots to 6 (will be reduced to 5 in future events).

This is also just about right for our brewing vessels.

We started off with a brief 10 minute introduction on the teas that would be introduced that day, the method being used and why that particular method was employed for that tea.

The current green tea event follows a sequence similar to this:

i)   Brewing Huangshan Maofeng with the mid-drop method

ii)   Brewing Dongting Biluochun with the top-drop method

iii)   Brewing Taiping Houkui with a tall glass

iv)   Brewing Dafo Longjing with the bottom-drop method

As sourcing is still underway at point of writing, we have yet to confirm our teas for our oolong tea event but it will be one each of a Phoenix Dancong, Wuyi Yancha, Minnan and Taiwanese Oolong whilst demonstrating Chaozhou, Fujian and Taiwanese gongfu teas.

Attendees can expect to learn how to use a gaiwan and a Yixing pot as well.

Tea Appreciation

Beyond ‘mere tasting’- gratifying as it is- tea appreciation is an entire holistic experience.

To that end, we chose to showcase only 4 teas within the 1 and half hour session so you can see and smell the dry leaves, see how it unfurls and take your time to enjoy at least 2 infusions of each tea.

In addition, we provided notes with links to articles of the featured teas and blank space so attendees can record their thoughts, impressions as well as read up on the backgrounds of the teas once their interest is piqued.

Wait, it gets better

We don’t leave attendees hanging there once they found some teas they adored- we bring along a few packets so that you can buy on the spot at a 10% discount.

And while we do charge a fee for the event to defray venue and other ancillary cost, it can be used to offset your purchase of tea.

For example- our green tea event costs $18, the entire $18 can be offset against purchases of $50 and above.

For our oolong tea event, it cost $25 ($10 worth of samples or 4 samples) will be given to each attendee and with any purchase of $50, $18 can be used to offset against the payment.

So in a nutshell, attendees of our tea tasting events get to

i)   Taste 4 teas on the spot (another 4 for oolong tea events)

ii)   Learn how to brew them

iii)   Buy them at a discount

iv)   And for purchases of $50 and above, attend the event for FREE!

For more details on the upcoming events, please refer to here.

We do encourage you to sign up for our mailing lists as well since slots are limited (5 each session) and events are first highlighted on our mailing list before other channels like our Facebook page, Twitter or Google Plus.

All part of our mantra of “Bringing Tea Closer to You”