Dear Oliver,
Learning about Tea can take readers down so many interesting pathways. And,
because Tea is steeped in so much history while remaining useful and relevant today, the amount of published information is substantial. There are countless books that Tea aficionados can delve into - and print and digital
resources abound. Cookbooks are another seemingly endless source of tea-inspired recipes, both for making traditional Tea for drinking, as well as Tea that is featured in recipes of all sorts.
Teas of the Boston Tea Party As you know, Oliver, right here on your Oliver Pluff & Co. site, there is substantial information about the History of Tea, plus many delicious Teas to try. Readers might want to try the award-winning “” sampler for some very traditional varieties to start tea sampling. But, for readers who want to take Tea expertise to the next level, they can become a Tea Sommelier, which is a true master of all things Tea.
There are several companies and organizations that offer online certifications, as well as some that have in-person classes and retreats. A Canadian organization, academyoftea, defines a possible candidate after graduation, “in addition to being knowledgeable in tea’s history, processing methods and preparation, they (graduates) can confidently interact with anyone about tea and make recommendations based on their needs.”
Classes range from personal training about sensory differences, tastes, blending, various teas and herbs, to practical applications for professionals requiring such information to become a foodservice specialist or business owner.
Some groups, such as ukteaacademy, offer different levels. The second level course description offers this summary, “a Tea Sommelier qualification will help professionals involved in sourcing tea from world origins, those who oversee the brewing and service of tea in a high-end tea environment and anyone writing tea menus and press releases or exploring a more in-depth understanding of tea.”
Cushlatea recommends two programs in the United States for Tea Sommelier
certifications, “there are several organizations that offer tea sommelier certification, including the Specialty Tea Institute (STI) and the Tea Association of the USA (TAUSA). These organizations offer comprehensive certification programs that include classes, tastings, and exams.” A simple online search yields many others as well. In addition to the certifications, you can also search job listing for Tea Sommelier positions.
This is clearly a growing field in Western countries with plenty of room to expand. In the United States teausa proclaims on its 2024 Tea Fact Sheet, “Tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world next to water and can be foundin more than 80% of all U.S. households. It is the only beverage commonly served hot or iced, anytime, anywhere, for any occasion. On any given day, some 160 million Americans are drinking tea.” I, for one, am definitely included in this daily tea drinking statistic and value a delicious cup of tea. It is great to know if I want to dig deeper, I can take a Tea specialty class or consult a Tea Sommelier as well.
