CORE classes are designed to provide any level of tea professional or enthusiast the educational foundation of tea. From Camellia sinensis to terroir to infusion, CORE classes are the ideal starting point for anyone interested in learning more about tea. View the classes below to learn more about each and get started on your tea certification journey today!
The program consists of a Core Curriculum of six classes plus an additional elective class of your choice from the Advance Curriculum. This certification is a fast track to accreditation to build core knowledge base or for front line staff training to improve sales.
Class Length: 3 weeks
Prerequisites: none
Shipped Class Materials: 2 cupping sets, 1 scale, 1 timer, 1 thermometer, teas for the course.
Every journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. This class introduces Camellia sinensis and the three factors that make it possible for this one plant to be the source of hundreds of kinds of teas. It also explores the botany of the plant, including the history, varieties, cultivars and cellular chemistry. The class continues with the six stages of tea processing and an overview of the six types of tea that come from this single amazing plant. The session concludes in week three with an introduction to professional cupping and the sensory evaluation of tea – a skill you will develop and hone throughout the program.
Suggested Prerequisites: CORE.01 or the basic tea knowledge equivalent.
Class Length: 3 weeks
Prerequisites: CORE.01
Shipped Class Materials: Teas for the course.
Building on the curriculum of CORE.01 which included the stages of tea processing and the six types of tea, the first week of this class describes the six post-manufacturing processes of blending, flavoring, scenting, decaffeination, baking and aging. We will look at the teas these additional processes create and the impact some of these processes have on labeling. The second week of this fundamental class asks ‘What is the best tea?’ and examines the meaning of quality in tea, explores naming and grading, and what the grading systems used in China, India, Sri Lanka, Japan, and Taiwan do and do not tell us. The last week will focus on the sensory evaluation of teas.
Suggested Prerequisites: CORE.01; CORE.02 or the basic tea knowledge equivalent.
Class Length: 3 weeks
Prerequisites: CORE.01; CORE.02
Shipped Class Materials: Teas for the course.
Building on your foundational knowledge, we begin our journey to countries of origin and a detailed approach to terroir. And we rightfully start off with our focus on the birthplace of tea – China. This class will also explore two countries of origin highly influenced by this tea powerhouse but truly unique unto their own – Japan and Taiwan. Again, we conclude with a focused cupping of these regions and build your knowledge base on confidence in the organoleptic evaluation process.
Suggested Prerequisites: CORE.01; CORE.02 or the basic tea knowledge equivalent.
Class Length: 3 weeks
Prerequisites: CORE.01; CORE.02
Shipped Class Materials: Teas for the course.
For the next step in our exploration of major producing countries, we shift to the south and discover the beauty and characteristics of teas from India, Sri Lanka, and Kenya, as we further our review of the world of tea including the culture and lore. In our fourth class, we continue to build the essential cupping skills required for all tea professionals.
Suggested Prerequisites: CORE.01; CORE.02 or the basic tea knowledge equivalent.
Class Length: 3 weeks
Prerequisites: CORE.01; CORE.02
Shipped Class Materials: Teas for the course.
With our solid base of tea knowledge, we will turn our attention to the tea liquor yielded in the infusion. An in-depth examination of the three components of the infusion process lays the groundwork before we have fun exploring the chemistry of the cup. As always, the three week course concludes with sensory evaluation of several teas.
Suggested Prerequisites: CORE.01; CORE.02 or the basic tea knowledge equivalent.
Class Length: 3 weeks
Prerequisites: CORE.01; CORE.02
Shipped Class Materials: Teas for the course.
In the final online class for our core curriculum, we extend our knowledge of tea to an overview of the many botanical infusions other than Camellia sinensis. Our focus will be on the most popular herbals in the market such as Rooibos, Yerba Mate, Guayusa, and more. Sensory evaluations of several herbal infusions conclude the class.