Class Length: 3 weeks
Class Kit Purchase Required along with additional materials: See class Overview Page for details

This class focuses on the tea professional’s most valuable skill – using the professional tea cupping protocol as a tool to evaluate teas. The course material takes an in-depth look at terroir, each stage of tea processing and finally the grades of teas, explaining how each factor creates and influences the taste and aroma of tea in the cup. The class materials also include a glossary of tea defects and describes when and how they develop during processing as well as how they would be recognized by taste and/or aroma in the cup. Featuring lots teas, most of the class is dedicated to the cupping exercises that are designed to illustrate and illuminate how all of these influences appear in the cup.

Class Length: 3 weeks
Class Kit Purchase Required along with additional materials: See class Overview Page for details

This class is an in-depth exploration of both how we experience tea and what we experience. The ‘how’ begins with the anatomy of our organoleptic system, the tools we use to perceive tea on every level. Then we look at how the chemistry of tea ‘colors’ our experience, as well as examining some general principles concerning flavor. Next, there is an explanation of how we sense bitterness, astringency and sweetness in tea, and how they are (surprisingly) related. The last week of class identifies the compounds in tea and the roles they play in creating the flavor of tea. The course author is Virginia Utermohlen Lovelace MD. Click here to read her bio. 

Class Length: 3 weeks
No Class Kit Purchase Required and no additional materials needed

In this advanced class we examine each of the stages of processing from the point of view of the tea leaf and the chemical transformations that are taking place. Our goal is to identify the volatile and non-volatile chemical compounds that we experience in every type of tea we drink understand how each step of the manufacturing process supports the development of those desirable compounds.

Class Length: 3 weeks
Class Kit Purchase Required along with additional materials: See class Overview Page for details

Great tea service does not build itself. Counter staffers are not intuitive brewers by accident and customers are not knowledgeable or self-aware about options. A truly dynamic, mindful and sustainable tea program, for any operation, takes work, investment and patience. Yet it is achievable and is seen in quality-driven teahouses, cafes, restaurants and hotels across the country. Improve your tea service with presentation techniques and proven advanced brewing techniques in this online course.

Class Length: 3 weeks
No Class Kit Purchase Required and no additional materials needed

Quality assurance is the planned and systematic program implemented in an overall system so that quality requirements for a product or service will be met. In this class we will review the core objectives, tools, programs and resources for establishing an effective quality assurance platform, specific to the tea industry, and how these programs can ensure that your products are safe to consume, are legal to sell and are always well received by your customer base. Course author is Tony Tellin. Click here to read his bio. 

Class Length: 3 weeks
Class Kit Purchase Required along with additional materials: See class Overview Page for details

This class takes part in the "What is a Tea Sommelier?" discussion as we listen to key industry leaders talk about how they see the role evolve and find its place in our modern, global tea culture. The class goes on to introduce the skills and information needed by anyone who aspires to help both consumers and managers in making informed decisions about tea service or serve as a guide to the world of tea in the specialty tea, food and hospitality industries, academic institutions, or wherever they find themselves presenting and promoting tea and its culture.

Class Length: 3 weeks
Class Kit Purchase Required along with additional materials: See class Overview Page for details

Pre-requisite: Core.06 is a pre-requisite for this class.

This class is a comprehensive exploration of the extensive world of botanicals, creating clarity and understanding with concise definitions and in-depth explanations at every level. The course author is Rob McCaleb. Click here to read his bio. 

Class Length: 3 weeks
No Class Kit Purchase Required and no additional materials needed

In this class, we will learn how tea consumption positively affects physical, mental, and even spiritual health. We will examine ancient and modern perspectives; first exploring tea’s healing benefits in the context of ancient Chinese culture and Chinese medicine and then summarizing how cutting-edge science demonstrates these effects.

Class Length: 3 weeks
Class Kit Purchase Required along with additional materials: See class Overview Page for details

People have been adding substances to enhance and alter tea’s aroma and taste profiles for centuries. During this three week class we will explore the three main techniques used today by tea professionals to scent, flavor and blend teas and other botanicals. During each week’s hands-on learning you will have the opportunity to taste some of the more famous teas, as well as try your hand at applying these techniques. The class material also addresses important aspects of the operational concerns of applying these techniques within your company’s settings. Course author is Scott Svihula. Click here to read his bio. 

Class Length: 3 weeks
Class Kit Purchase Required along with additional materials: See class Overview Page for details

Pre-requisite: ADV.02 Understanding the Organoleptic Experience is a pre-requisite for this class.

This class introduces you to the organoleptic principles, and their underlying biology and chemistry, that allow you to create delicious blends of teas and other botanical infusions with herbs, spices, and fruits. In the process of creating these different blends you will experience and understand why certain combinations succeed while others fail, thus preparing you to create your own blends from scratch. You will use your knowledge and experiences to develop a vocabulary for describing the best blends, and then create, name, describe, and critique your own blend. The course author is Virginia Utermohlen Lovelace MD. Click here to read her bio.

Class Length: 3 weeks
No Class Kit Purchase Required but will need additional materials: See class Overview Page for details

Pre-requisite: ADV.11 is a pre-requisite for this class.

The world of possibilities in blending teas is immense, but no matter how inspired and informed the new blend you created and fell in love with last week was, commercial success is not guaranteed. Success depends on understanding how the art and the science of tea blending work together. This class starts with exploring how we find the inspiration for the ideation of a tea blend. Then step by step we look at the research, planning and leg-work required to carry the project to its successful completion. This includes how once the flavor, aroma, mouthfeel and visual profiles are perfected, science, technology and effective operational management systems are necessary to ensure that each blend performs consistently. We look at how organoleptic evaluations identify all the key desirable characteristics that define the product are used to evaluate all future iterations during development and processing. And what analytical measurements are taken to establish and maintain specifications throughout all production steps to ensure consistency, machinability, regulatory compliance and profitability. This class will have universal appeal to almost everyone in the tea trade who engages in the creation of enhanced teas - from tea shop owners and branded companies to wholesalers, importers and even tea growers. ADV.13: The Art of Flavoring, Blending and Scenting Part 1 is the first in a two-class series.  The course author is Brian Keating. Click here to read his bio.

Class Length: 3 weeks
Class Kit Purchase Required along with additional materials: See class Overview Page for details

Pre-requisite: ADV.15 is a pre-requisite for this class

This course builds on the knowledge you gained in ADV. 15 by introducing the effects of prolonged oxidation, firing and fermentation on a tea’s aromas and on how you experience them.  You will explore how these aromas appear and how they are expressed in white, black, puer, and yellow teas. Course authors are Virginia Utermohlen Lovelace and Scott Svihula. Click here to read their bios.