CORE.05 The Infusion

OVERVIEW
Most of the classes in the core curriculum focus on the tea plant and how and where it is grown and manufactured. This class explores the process that transforms the tea leaf into the final product – a cup of tea. By looking closely into the three components of the process we will explore what is in the cup and how it got there.
- Name and define the three components of the infusion process.
- Understand how the chemical and physical characteristics of the tea leaf influence the infusion.
- Understand how the chemical and physical characteristics of water influence the infusion.
- Understand how the conditions of the infusion process influence its outcome.
- Name the chemical components found in the infusion.
- Describe what each chemical component contributes to the flavor and aroma profile of the infusion.
Students will need to supply the following additional materials BEFORE the class starts.
• Two professional cupping sets
• An instant read thermometer
• A digital gram scale
• A timer
• Some distilled water and some regular bottled (either spring or drinking) water
• Three loose leaf unflavored teas for cupping: 8 grams of green tea, 8 grams of white tea, 8 grams of black tea
Course Length:
3 weeks (plus one week grace period to submit assignments and complete any tests.)
World Tea Academy Certified Tea Specialist Candidates:
Successful completion of this class counts towards certification for WTA Certified Tea Specialist. CORE.01 and CORE.02 are the suggested prerequisite for CORE.03 through CORE.06 classes.
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COURSE OUTLINE
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- Welcome to Your Class
- Course Author: Donna Fellman
- The Infusion
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- Overview
- Tea is a Beverage of Leaf + Water
- Section 1: The Physical and Chemical Characteristics of the Tea Leaf
- Section 2: The Physical and Chemical Characteristics of the Water
- CORE.05 Instructor Assignment 1.1
- Week 1 Classroom Assignment
- End of Week 1 Quiz
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- Overview
- The Beverage
- CORE.05 Instructor Assignment 2.1
- Week 2 Classroom Assignment
- End of Week 2 Quiz
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- Overview
- Sensory Evaluation and Professional Cupping
- How to Brew Tea with a Chart
- How to Brew Tea Without a Chart
- CORE.05 Instructor Cupping Exercise
- Week 3 Classroom Assignment
- Course Conclusion and Reminders
- Final Exam
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Prerequisites
Suggested Prerequisites: CORE.01; CORE.02 or the basic tea knowledge equivalent.
Schedule
See Class Schedule Page for registration and start dates.
Reviews
JeffMar 24, 2023
Challenging course, but very informative.
ChristopherJan 29, 2023
Loved experimenting with the different types of water!
KimberlyOct 24, 2022
JonathanJul 03, 2022
I have enjoyed this course
Shelly-AnnJun 28, 2022
KateJun 25, 2022
Another eye-opening course on how to really grasp on the art of tea right down to the details of how water affects the tea. This was super interesting!
KayleeApr 18, 2022
AndreasNov 22, 2021
That was an amazing course. Learning about the vital connection between tea and water and also all the details behind the leaf will certainly help me in my business from now on.
KonstantinosJul 28, 2021
This course really makes me think! I have found it to be much more scientifically inclusive than I ever thought it would be.
CynthiaMay 20, 2021
LarsAug 15, 2020
Very good and informative class. I will say that this class is the hardest one I have taken so far, no competition. I have taken core 6 and advanced 3 above this and found this to be more difficult.
NatalieAug 12, 2020
FreyaMay 08, 2018
Excellent course which provided numerous cupping opportunities. Very interesting to compare and contrast different types of water and how each one affects the outcome of the infusion. The science of the components of the tea leaves was challenging but certainly necessary to appreciate the information in this class.
DonnaLeeSep 26, 2017
I found the material in Core.05 especially valuable in its comprehensiveness. All the previous core courses were preparing us for this one that ties it altogether!
DianeSep 26, 2017
Definitely interesting to see how water can effect the final cup of tea. I had no idea how many different factors effected the final product.
HeatherSep 25, 2017
I really enjoyed the experiments and in depth discussion of various water sources and their role in the infusion process.
DoniJul 23, 2017
This was one of the best classes out of the CORE series. The class was very informative and the cuppings help solidify the lecture materials. Thank you for a great class.
AlexJul 16, 2017
Fascinating course with lots of quite technical information about the infusion. Fortunately you don't need to understand it all to appreciate the many factors that go into the infusion.
TonyApr 01, 2017
I loved this course, it helped to search more for differences and nuances in the infusion, specially by using different sources of water.
ChristianMar 31, 2017
This course gave me the tools to understand how to infuse tea and taught me to rely on my growing knowledge.
soniaMar 26, 2017
This was a great course for practically applying everything we have learned so far.Thanks,
MicheleMar 24, 2017
Loved, loved, loved Core.05. It was great pulling everything I've learned in Core. 01 - Core.05 into the art of the final infusion. Brewing without a chart is fun too!
LoriMar 21, 2017
In this course two HUGE takeaway's for me were the vast differences in the various kinds of water and what an important part water plays in brewing an exceptional cup of tea and the video about the conditions of infusion: containers. I have changed some of in home methods for brewing tea. Thanks!
JudiJan 26, 2017
This course teaches the chemistry behind the infusion of tea. A very thorough and in depth course that I enjoyed. It made me think a lot about all the factors that make a good cup of tea.
CarrieJan 25, 2017
This was the most challenging course so far. The tasting exercises were interesting, but the "book learning" left me able to truly understand, at a basic level, the chemistry of an infusion. No small feat, for this science-challenged tea-lover.
ChristinaAug 30, 2016
Best level till now. A lot of practical learning. totally enjoyed.
Naiya Aug 28, 2016
I have enjoyed all of the courses I have taken. I intended to only go as far as Tea Specialist but am now thinking of pursuing an upper level certification.
JamesAug 23, 2016
This course was quite technical for me but certainly helped me understand and appreciate the nuances of water and tea more. Thank you!
VictoriaAug 18, 2016
This course teaches so much about the chemistry behind a cup of tea. Very interesting.
GeorgiaAug 18, 2016
Very in-depth information on infusion and the science behind it!
JulietApr 29, 2016
Examining the actual infusion process is an area of study that doesn't get as much attention as it should, I think. Glad this course is here to do that.
DavidApr 25, 2016
In my opinion this was one of the better of all the Core classes. The exercises were definitely some of the most interesting and helped to clarify and give some personal experience to some of the commonly shared concepts surrounding tea infusing and water. A lot of good info here. I will move forward with my own tea making with a lot more confidence. Thanks!
GwenApr 22, 2016
Very informative! I love how this explains the more scientific side of enjoying a nice cup of tea!
ShawnaFeb 22, 2016
Very interesting results with the different waters!
SofiaFeb 21, 2016
informative and scientific
TingNov 28, 2015
Amazing module, it really expanded my knowledge tremendously.
MichaelSep 27, 2015
Great course! Really dove into the chemistry of the infusion and I appreciated the in-depth scientific approach.
ArielJul 27, 2015
Would be great to add some more details on the various components of water and how they affect tea i.e. ph levels for optimal green, black, oolong etc. Overall great course.
AndrewJan 31, 2015