How to Become a Tea Taster: Courses, Age Limit, Eligibility, Colleges, Career Options

How to Become a Tea Taster: Courses, Age Limit, Eligibility, Colleges, Career Options

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Porishmita
Porishmita Paul
Associate Senior Executive
Updated on Nov 25, 2025 11:16 IST
A combination of formal education, specific courses, and real-world experience are required to become a tea taster. You can acquire the abilities and information required to succeed in this distinctive and fulfilling career by making the most of the many courses and programs that are offered.
Becoming a tea taster is not just drinking tea. You need education, practice, and real experience. Courses, workshops, and internships help you gain skills and knowledge to succeed in the tea industry.
How to Become a Tea Taster: A Detailed Guide

Tea tasting is a special job, very unique, it mixes art and science. You look at tea leaves, smell them, taste the brewed tea, and find its flavor and quality. Tea tasters are very important in the tea industry because they make sure only good tea reaches customers.

To become a tea taster, you need some formal education, some special courses, and also real experience. You can take different programs or workshops to learn skills and knowledge. You can also do internships or training to practice. Being a tea taster is always learning, always discovering new things.

There is no single degree you must have to become a tea taster. But knowing something about food science, botany, or agriculture helps a lot. Many tea tasters studied these fields. It helps them understand plants, chemistry, and food technology.

This guide shows you steps, skills, and knowledge to become a good tea taster. It’s for anyone who wants to work in the tea industry and learn the art and science of tea tasting.

Table of contents
  • Understanding the Role of a Tea Taster
  • Educational Background
  • Understanding Tea Varieties and Cultivation
  • Mastering the Art of Tea Tasting
  • Career Opportunities

Understanding the Role of a Tea Taster

Tea tasting is a mix of art and science. A tea taster: 

  • Looks at tea leaves
  • Smells dry and brewed tea
  • Tastes tea to find flavors
  • Ensures quality control
  • Blends teas to make new flavors
  • Studies market trends and customer preferences

Tea tasters are important because they make sure only high-quality tea reaches consumers.

Also Read: Wine Tasting: Eligibility, Age Limit, Career, Courses, Colleges, Salary

Educational Background 

Becoming a tea taster mean you need to know lots about tea plants, how tea is made, and how to taste it properly. You don’t always need formal school for this, but special courses can help you learn more and get better at it. Here’s some courses and programs which can make you a good tea taster.

Institute / Program

Type

Key Skills / Notes

World Tea Academy

Online courses

Tea tasting, blending, evaluation. Courses: Foundations of Tea, Professional Tea Tasting

ITMA (International Tea Masters Association)

Certification

Certified Tea Master, Certified Tea Sommelier, Certified Tea Blender

Tea & Herbal Association of Canada

Sommelier Program

Tea cultivation, preparation, tasting. Award: Tea Sommelier Certificate

UK Tea Academy

Certification

Levels: Tea Champion, Tea Sommelier, Tea Master

UC Davis, USA

University Course

Introduction to Tea, Advanced Tea Studies

Zhejiang University, China

Degree

Tea cultivation, processing, chemistry, tasting

IIPM Bangalore, India

Postgraduate Diploma

Tea management, tasting, cultivation, processing

Darjeeling Tea R&D Centre, India

Workshops

Practical tasting, focus on Darjeeling tea

NITM, Siliguri, India

Certificate (3 months)

Tea tasting basics, practical skills. Fee: ~INR 50,000

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Understanding Tea Varieties and Cultivation

A deep understanding of tea varieties and their cultivation is essential for a tea taster. This includes:

Types of Tea

Tea Type

Description

Black Tea

Fully oxidized, strong flavor, dark color

Green Tea

Unoxidized, fresh and light flavor

Oolong Tea

Partially oxidized, between black and green

White Tea

Minimally processed, delicate flavor

Herbal Tea

Infusions from herbs, flowers, or fruits; not true tea leaves

Mastering the Art of Tea Tasting

Tea tasting is both an art and a science. Mastering tea tasting art needs a systematic approach.

Tasting Procedure

  • Preparation: Measure leaves, brew at correct temperature
  • Visual Inspection: Check size, shape, and color
  • Aroma Assessment: Smell dry leaves, then brewed tea
  • Tasting: Slurp tea to aerate, notice all flavors
  • Evaluation: Check body, sweetness, bitterness, astringency, aftertaste
  • Recording Notes: Maintain tasting notes and scorecards

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Recording Observations

Tasting Notes: While trying tea, maintain a detailed tasting notes, This note should include appearance, aroma, taste, and any specific characteristics.

Scorecards: Always use standardized scorecards to rate teas

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Keeping Up with Industry Trends

Tea industry is dynamic. Therefore, we should stay informed about different trends

  • Industry Publications: Tea magazines, journals, research papers
  • Networking: Join tea associations and professional groups
  • Events: Attend trade shows and expos to see new products and trends

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Career Opportunities

Different career options are.

Field

Role

Description 

Tea Companies

Quality Control

Ensure consistency of tea products

Product Development

Create new blends

Tea Exporters & Importers

Grading & Sourcing

Evaluate and source high-quality teas

Tea Retailers

Advisory Roles

Help customers choose and pair teas

Independent Consultant

Give expert advice to companies and plantations

About the Author
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Porishmita Paul
Associate Senior Executive

Porishmita Paul is a good writer and an important part of the editorial team at Shiksha. She has over two years of experience. She mainly does SEO writing on topics like humanities, hospitality, and study abroad. Sh

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