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.

Building on the foundation material of CORE.01 and understanding how a single plant can create hundreds of kinds of tea, we will explore the post-manufacturing processes such as baking, aging, blending, flavoring, and more.

With a strong foundation in the background of the tea plant and how teas are manufactured, 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. Then we will travel to Korea, a smaller country of origin but home of quality green teas that are making a name for themselves around the world. This class will also explore two countries of origin highly influenced by China but truly unique unto their own – Japan and Taiwan. Again, we conclude with a focused cupping of these regions and continue to add to your experience and confidence in the organoleptic evaluation process.

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.

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. The first week includes an exploration of humankind’s long relationship to botanical infusions as well as an in-depth explanation of the correct vocabulary for what (technically) is and isn’t ‘tea.’ Sensory evaluations of several herbal infusions conclude the class.