Experiences

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Did you know that there are six different tea types, and all of them come from the same plant? Join us as we explore the many flavours, aromas, colours, and health benefits that come from the camellia sinensis plant. 

We'll taste white, yellow, green, oolong, black and puer teas brewed in traditional styles appropriate for each tea, and you'll learn the differences in processing methods that create these distinct flavour profiles.

Tea is the world's second-most consumed beverage after water, and in this session we'll go back to its origins in China. We’ll taste some of China’s most famous and well-loved teas as we explore the history of this unique plant. 

We’ll also explore how different teas are made and learn about the social and cultural histories of the teas we taste, and you’ll have a chance to brew tea yourself using a gaiwan, a traditional Chinese lidded cup.

Japanese teas are famous for their intense umami flavours, brilliant green colours, and incredible health benefits. 

In this session, you'll taste some of the most beloved Japanese teas, including sencha and matcha, and you'll also explore some lesser-known teas like wakoucha. We'll learn the basics of tea chemistry, explore why Japanese green teas are so good for you, and share a bit about Japanese tea culture.

In this in-depth session, you'll learn about Japanese tea processing firsthand from Maren, who's just spent three months in Japan making the very teas you'll taste!

Using sencha as a baseline, we'll explore differences in tea picking and processing methods, and learn how these impact the flavours, brewing, and chemistry of the resulting teas.

Matcha is probably the most well-known of Japanese teas - but here in the UK, we don't often get to experience the real thing. Maren thought she'd had good matcha, and then she spent three months on a tea farm near Kyoto, the biggest matcha-producing region in the world - and now she's sharing it with you in this session! 

You'll explore in detail what matcha really is, how it's produced, and you'll learn how to identify high-quality matcha. We'll look at the basics of the formal Japanese tea ceremony, but most importantly, learn to prepare matcha in a more relaxed, accessible way. 

What is caffeine, and why is it in tea? Explore the chemistry behind caffeine, why the caffeine in tea hits so differently from coffee, and how to control the amount of caffeine you consume in your tea. 

We'll taste a range of teas extremely low in caffeine and share some tips and tricks you can try at home if you're caffeine-sensitive but still want a nice cuppa in the evenings.