Focus Tasting
The six major tea categories offer a useful way to understand the world of tea.
But within each category, there is still so much to discover.
A tea can vary greatly depending on where it grows, the tea plant, how it is processed, or how it has aged. Even teas from the same category can have surprisingly different aromas, flavours, and characters.
In a Focus Tasting, we explore one type of tea more closely. By tasting and comparing different teas side by side, you can discover their subtle differences and the many expressions a single category can offer.
Some familiarity with Tea Class 1 and Tea Class 2 may help you enjoy this session even more.
Register : upon request
If you are interested in joining one of the sessions below, please feel free to contact me.
■ Red Tea (Black Tea)
In East Asia, Black Tea is known as Red Tea because of its rich reddish leaves and infusion.
Through a high level of oxidation (over 80%), Red Tea develops layered aromas of flowers in full bloom, ripe fruits, warm spices, and honey, balanced by a smooth texture and rounded sweetness.
Above all, Red Tea offers warmth and quiet comfort with every cup.
In this session, we will explore:
- Classic Red Teas and modern interpretations of Red Tea in East Asia.
- Balhyo-cha, Korea's traditional oxidised tea, naturally withered and oxidised under the sun.
- How terroir and water influence the flavour and aroma of Red Tea.
■ White Tea
White Tea is considered the tea closest to nature.
Minimally processed, it is gently withered in the sun or open air, allowing the leaves to retain their delicate aroma and subtle character.
Even after processing, white tea continues to mature slowly over time, its aromas gradually evolving from freshly dried hay and delicate wildflowers to the mellow sweetness of dried dates.
Each cup reflects the quiet beauty of time, developing greater depth with age.
In this session, we will explore:
- Taste and compare different white teas: Yinzhen Baihao (Silver Needle), Baimudan, Shoumei, and Gongmei.
- Discover how flavour evolves through ageing and storage.
- Explore how terroir and water influence the flavour and aroma of white tea.