CORE 01: Essentials of Tea Course

Professional Tea Training with Expert Feedback

$285.00 USD

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About this Course​

Whether you’re an aspiring tea entrepreneur or a passionate enthusiast, our Essentials of Tea certification program transforms your tea knowledge from basic to professional. Developed by trusted industry leaders and adapted by Sharyn Johnston, this course delivers practical expertise you can use immediately.

What Our Graduates Say:

This course is perfect for:

  • Tea shop owners seeking deeper knowledge
  • Beverage professionals expanding their expertise
  • Serious enthusiasts pursuing certification
  • Industry professionals advancing their careers

Course Highlights

15+

Professional Tea Lessons

12+

Hands-on Activities

6

Master All Six Types of Tea

Your Complete Learning Experience Includes:​

Professional Tea & Training Kit

Includes

Professional cupping set
Curated tea samples
Course materials
Tasting journal

Structured Learning Path

Learn at your own pace

Weekly modules
Practical exercises
Video demonstrations
Assessment tasks

Professional Tea Experts

Guiding your progress

Personal feedback
Assignment review
Technical guidance
Industry insights

Your Learning Topics:

Module 1: Tea Plant Science & Varieties

Explore the botany, history, and chemistry of Camellia sinensis (Tea Plant). Understand how one plant creates endless possibilities.

Build Your Tea Foundation

“I’ve been selling tea for a year but still struggle to explain why Chinese green tea and Japanese green tea taste so different.” Sound familiar? Week 1 takes you from memorized facts to real understanding. Learn how soil, climate, and cultivars create distinct characteristics. Finally understand what marketing terms like “high mountain” and “first flush” actually mean for the tea in your cup.

  • Botany
  • Chemistry
  • Varieties

Module 2: Tea Processing Methods & Classification

  • Six stages of tea processing
  • White, Green, and Yellow tea production
  • Oolong, Black, and Dark tea methods
  • Practical: Processing method analysis

Learn the Tea Processing Methods

“I read about oxidation online, but honestly? I’m not sure I could explain it to my staff.” Stop piecing together information from blogs and videos. Week 2 breaks down how each processing step transforms the leaf. Learn why withering matters, what oxidation really does, and how firing affects the final taste. Replace confusion with clarity about every type of tea you sell.

  • Withering
  • Oxidation
  • Firing

Module 3: Professional Cupping Techniques

  • Six stages of tea processing
  • White, Green, and Yellow tea production
  • Oolong, Black, and Dark tea methods
  • Practical: Processing method analysis

Develop Your Tea Tasting Palate

“Sometimes I taste something in a tea but can’t put it into words.” Week 3 teaches you to taste systematically and describe precisely. Learn to identify subtle differences between similar teas, understand quality markers, and evaluate new teas with confidence. Stop wondering if you’re brewing samples correctly or missing important characteristics.

  • Evaluation
  • Cupping
  • Tasting

Earn your Tea Essentials Certification

Employers, clients, and peers can verify your certification at worldteacademy.com/verify, adding credibility to your expertise.

Everything You Need Arrives at Your Door

For the first time ever, your complete professional tea evaluation kit is included with your course (Valued $80).

Now Included:

Professional 3-piece cupping set
Curated tea samples for hands-on learning
Comprehensive course materials
Lifetime access to online modules

This Course Is Your First Step to Tea Mastery

Every tea professional starts somewhere. Whether you’re running a tea shop, starting a wholesale business, or working in hospitality, CORE.01 gives you the fundamental knowledge you need. Understand tea from leaf to cup, learn the vocabulary professionals use, and gain the confidence that comes from genuine expertise.

What Makes This Course Different?

Unlike other tea courses that scratch the surface, World Tea Academy’s “Essentials of Tea” delivers professional-grade knowledge used by tea masters worldwide.

You’ll learn:

  • The three factors that enable a single plant species to produce hundreds of distinct teas
  • The exact science behind tea processing that determines a tea’s final character
  • Professional cupping techniques used by tea buyers and blenders
  • How to conduct proper sensory evaluation using industry-standard methods

Frequently Asked Questions

Timing & Commitment

Absolutely. Each lesson naturally flows into the next, unlocking as you progress. This thoughtful structure ensures you build a strong foundation while having the freedom to learn at a pace that suits you best.

Absolutely. Each lesson naturally flows into the next, unlocking as you progress. This thoughtful structure ensures you build a strong foundation while having the freedom to learn at a pace that suits you best.

Learning is a journey, not a race. Each module is designed to help you thoroughly master the concepts through guided practice and hands-on experience. Your lifetime access lets you revisit and reinforce your learning whenever you need.

Yes! Every time you complete a course, you’ll receive an official certificate to showcase your progress.

Course Materials & Equipment

Your $285 enrollment includes:
– Professional 3-piece cupping set
– Curated tea samples for evaluation
– Comprehensive course materials
– Lifetime access to online content
– Certificate upon completion

Your $285 enrollment includes:
– Professional 3-piece cupping set- Curated tea samples for evaluation
– Comprehensive course materials
– Lifetime access to online content
– Certificate upon completion

Australian Tea Masters will ship your kit promptly after enrollment. Most students receive their materials within 5-7 business days.

Learning Experience

The course is self-paced with no live sessions. However, you receive personal feedback from industry experts on all assignments and evaluations.

The course is self-paced with no live sessions. However, you receive personal feedback from industry experts on all assignments and evaluations.

Instructors provide detailed feedback on every assignment. You can also submit questions through the course platform and receive expert responses.

  • Developed by leading industry experts
  • All equipment and teas provided are Industry-standard
  • Recognized and trusted certification in the tea industry
  • Professional cupping equipment included
  • Structured pathway to becoming a certified tea specialist

Certification & Future Opportunities

Yes. This CORE.01 course is the foundation for becoming a World Tea Academy Certified Tea Specialist. It’s the prerequisite for CORE.02 through CORE.06 courses.

Yes. This CORE.01 course is the foundation for becoming a World Tea Academy Certified Tea Specialist. It’s the prerequisite for CORE.02 through CORE.06 courses.

Graduates use their knowledge to:

  • Tea professionals looking to advance their careers
  • Business owners enhancing their tea service
  • Tea lovers seeking deeper understanding
  • Enthusiasts wanting to master professional tasting techniques
  • Anyone passionate about exploring the world of tea

Course Content

Expand All

Week 1: Camellia sinensis: One plant produces six types and hundreds of kinds of tea.

Week 2: The Second Factor and the Six Types of Tea
Week 3: Introduction to Sensory Evaluation and Professional Tea Cupping
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Customer Reviews

Based on 110 reviews
75%
(82)
24%
(26)
2%
(2)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
Y
Yu

I learned about species of teas all over the world and types of differences tea

a
auddrey

liked base course but would have preferred set times, classes and interaction. Very eye opening and appreciative.

A
Anna

I liked the feedback from Lisa (very informative beyond the class) and also the organized structure of the materials.

W
Wendy

I prefer interaction with real people and would love to have the option for some live Q&A and discussion. Otherwise, the information was great, well-presented, and the instructor feedback was helpful.

M
Michelle

Great class. I learned a lot! Looking forward to applying what I learned to the daily tea business.

Full Course & Kit

$285.00 USD

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+

Over 500 students certified globally!

Transform your tea passion into expertise join the world’s most trusted tea academy

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Customer Reviews

Based on 110 reviews
75%
(82)
24%
(26)
2%
(2)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
Y
Yu

I learned about species of teas all over the world and types of differences tea

a
auddrey

liked base course but would have preferred set times, classes and interaction. Very eye opening and appreciative.

A
Anna

I liked the feedback from Lisa (very informative beyond the class) and also the organized structure of the materials.

W
Wendy

I prefer interaction with real people and would love to have the option for some live Q&A and discussion. Otherwise, the information was great, well-presented, and the instructor feedback was helpful.

M
Michelle

Great class. I learned a lot! Looking forward to applying what I learned to the daily tea business.