The Art of Tea Tasting

The Art of Tea Tasting

A Journey through Body, Strength, and Flavors

There’s no denying the peace that a hot, aromatic cup of tea brings. The calming effect of chamomile, the boldness of black tea, or the fragrant allure of a tisane, each cup promises an experience that is both soothing and invigorating. While professional tea tasters have spent years honing their skills, tea tasting is an art that anyone can learn and enjoy. Let’s embark on a journey to understand the intricacies of tea tasting, exploring the body, brew strength, and flavors of your favorite brew.

Bee Inspired Tea in cups on tray

Understanding the Body of Your Tea

A tea’s body is more than just its weight. It's an amalgamation of its texture, substance, and how it feels in your mouth. Imagine savoring a tea that is as light as water or one with a broth-like consistency, reminiscent of a comforting chicken soup. Some teas offer a creamy mouthfeel, as if you're enjoying a beverage enhanced with rich heavy cream. Black teas, on the other hand, have a brisk and astringent body that leaves a tantalizing dry sensation in your mouth.

Getting a sense of a tea’s body is the first step towards understanding its brew strength. Light teas should still present a hint of texture. If you find your tea too thin, perhaps it needs a longer brewing time or a few more dry leaves. Conversely, a bitter taste or a mouth-puckering sensation could mean your tea has been over-brewed.

loose leaf teas in glass on tray

Diving into the World of Tea Flavors

Once you've understood the body of your tea, it's time to explore its flavors. Much like a fine wine, teas reveal their flavors in stages, changing as you hold them in your mouth or as they cool down. Savor each sip, taking your time to identify the subtle notes that accompany the main flavor. You might find a green tea with hints of spinach or seaweed, or a black tea with undertones of wood or smoke.

The real thrill of tea tasting lies in uncovering new and unique flavors. Some teas come with surprising notes of cocoa, honey, or even a hint of fruitiness. Keep an open mind and try different teas from various regions and blends. This will not only expand your palate but also your understanding of this magical brew.

tea in white cups

Appreciating the Aftertaste

Finally, don't forget to pay attention to the lingering flavors of your brew. A high-quality tea will leave you with a long, pleasant aftertaste, a sensory reminder of the experience that you just enjoyed. Conversely, a lower quality tea might leave behind a sour or unpleasant taste.

a collection of bowls holding loose leaf teas

The Endless Pleasures of Tea Tasting: A virtual Tea Tasting of our Artisanal Tea

When you visit our honey house, you are often offered a spot of tea and we have glass jars filled with each varietal so that you can take in the aroma and experience the tea first-hand. If you live far from us, we’ve created this virtual tour of our teas for you to experience our teas from afar.

Cider+Spice Tea

Featuring: Cinnamon, apple fruit pieces, rooibos, calendula (marigold) petals

cider and spice tea with ingredients and basket

Enjoy a moment of warmth and relaxation with our Cider+Spice Tea. Crafted with quality ingredients, this apple and spice blend is the perfect indulgence for those chilly days. Featuring flavorful dried apples, cinnamon, rooibos red tea, and a secret combination of spices, this delicious tea is a cozy hug in a mug. Simply brew your usual amount of leaf tea and let it steep for 4-5 minutes for a truly delicious experience. Enjoy a cup as-is or add some honey to bring out the sweetness of the naturally harvested fruits. Whether you’re savoring it in front of the fireplace or hoping to stave off winter’s chill with something tasty, our Cider + Spice Tea is an exquisite way to unwind from life’s pressures and melt into sheer bliss. Treat yourself today!

Sunrise Assam Tea

Featuring: Kondoli Assam Tea, Dried Cranberries, Dried Orange Peel, Hibiscus Flower, Rooibos Tea, Natural Cranberry Flavor, Natural Orange Flavor.

Sunrise Assam Tea

Sunrise Assam Tea and Orange Peel is the perfect drink to start your day with. Our unique blend combines Kondoli Assam Tea, Dried Cranberries, Dried Orange Peel, Hibiscus Flower, Rooibos Tea, Natural Cranberry Flavor, and Natural Orange Flavor for an energizing and delicious beverage. This combination creates a brisk flavor that’s rich with zesty notes. It’s a malty tea that’s brightened up by the sweetness of hibiscus and rooibos. Enhance your morning cup with a spoonful of honey - we recommend using Cranberry or Orange Blossom - and feel invigorated for the entire day ahead. Sunrise Tea and Orange Peel is best enjoyed first thing in the morning or as an afternoon pick-me-up throughout the day. Try it today to start your day off right!

Midnight Berry Tea

Featuring: Hibiscus, Berries, Rooibos

Midnight Berry tea

When you want to relax and unwind after a long day, Midnight Berry Tea is the perfect choice. Blended with wild currants, elderberries, hibiscus, and rooibos tea; it has a unique flavor that's both sweet and tart. It has a vibrant purple hue that will entice all your senses. A drizzle of honey takes the flavor up a few notches when served hot or cold. Enjoy a cup of Midnight Berry Tea for relaxation or to take some time alone during your busy day. This tea will be an instant favorite during summer months when served iced with lemon and mint. Try it today and discover why it's become the go-to tea for those wanting the perfect balance between fruity sweetness and herbal depth.

Blue Butterfly Pea Flower Tea

Featuring: Blue Butterfly Pea Flowers

Blue Butterfly Peaflower Tea with flowers and martini glass

Blue Butterfly Pea Flower Tea is a one-of-a-kind tea, rich in anthocyanins. As you brew it, its electric blue hue gives the water an enchanting color. Add a bit of lemon juice and honey and watch as the liquid changes color to bright fuschia! This tea is gently earthy in flavor and light in body. Blue Butterfly Pea Flower Tea can be served hot or cold over ice. Enjoy it straight or try adding Midnight Berry Tea for a fruity twist. It's even great for mixing up some creative cocktails, mocktails, and other drinks like lemonade. Enhance your beverages with vibrant colors, unique flavors, and mystical fun - Blue Butterfly Pea Flower Tea is here to let your imagination run wild!

Beautea Ginger Turmeric Tea

Featuring: Ginger, Turmeric Root, Dried Carrot, Dried Beet, Dried Pineapple, Calendula Petals, Natural Flavors

Beautea Ginger and Turmeric Tea

Introducing Beautea, the natural beauty tea blend that helps awaken your inner beauty. Hand-blended with ginger, turmeric root, dried carrot, dried beet, dried pineapple and calendula petals, each sip will help you feel energized and in touch with your inner beauty. The flavor is sweet and spiced with notes of licorice and fruit - when brewed it casts a vibrant pink-orange hue. Enjoy either iced or hot for a delicious pick-me-up throughout the day or to help relax after a long day. So why not try this unique blend? Just one cup of Beautea can help bring out your natural inner beauty.

Bees Knees Honeybush Tea

Featuring; Honeybush tea leaves

Bee's Knees tea with tea cup and bouquet of flowers

Introducing Bees Knees Honeybush Tea - A sweet and nutty tea from the South African Honeybush plant, perfect for sunny mornings with its bright, nutty flavor. The flavor of the Honeybush plant is quite similar to rooibos in color and flavor - and Bees Knees perfectly captures that sweetness. Enjoy it hot or cold, depending on your tastes and cravings. It's also a great mixer for cocktails; try it as an accompaniment to citrus-flavored spirits or even bourbon! If you're looking for something subtly sweet yet nutty to enjoy on a warm day, look no further than Bees Knees Honeybush Tea - you won't regret it!

Good Morning Black Tea

Featuring: Black Tea, Rosehips, Dried Raspberry Fruit, Cornflower Petals, Natural Flavors*

Good Morning Tea with eggs, tea kettle, and mug

Start your day off on the right foot with a cup of Good Morning Black Tea. From Company Name, this unique blend combines black tea, rose hips, dried raspberry fruit, Cornflower Petals and natural flavors for a sweet-tart cup that is sure to invigorate your mornings. Enjoy hot or iced - sweet but not too sweet, it's perfect with cream and honey! Every sip contains real ingredients sourced from ethical tea farmers in order to ensure the highest quality blends. Plus, each tin contains enough for up to 15 serves - so you can enjoy freshness and flavor over and over again. Whether in the morning or throughout the day, why not let Good Morning Black Tea be part of your daily routine?

Good Night Herbal Tea

Featuring: Chamomile, Linden Flowers, Spearmint, Rose Petals, Lavender Buds

tray of Good Night Herbal Tea and tea and spoon

Good Night Herbal Tea is the perfect blend of soothing botanicals to set the mood for a relaxing and peaceful night's sleep. Featuring chamomile, linden flowers, spearmint, rose petals, and lavender buds all combined into one delicious brew that tastes like nothing else. Our customers have raved about how it's "the best tea I have ever tasted." Good Night Tea is perfect for winding down before bed as it contains no caffeine and only natural ingredients. Chamomile helps to calm your mind while minty spearmint adds a refreshing flavor. Rose petals provide a gentle floral scent that's great for creating a tranquil atmosphere. The lavender buds finish off this dreamy concoction with its tranquilizing aroma to help relax both the body and mind; allowing you to drift off into sleep peacefully. Whether you need something to help lull you off to sleep or just need an enjoyable tea, Good Night Herbal Tea has something for everyone!

Raven Earl Grey Tea with Lavender

Featuring: Organic Black Tea, Lavender, Natural oil of Bergamot.

Raven tea cocktail on set with tea

Raven Earl Grey Tea with Lavender is a great tasting and unique tea that's sure to make your morning or night special. Our delicious blend of rich Earl Grey tea and dried lavender blossoms creates a robust and flavorful cup of aromatic tea with citrusy hints, and mysterious depth. Inspired by dark summer nights, foggy mornings, and fragrant lavender fields on our coastal farm. This unique experience will shake up your daily routine and tantalize your taste buds. Not only is this tea not just any ordinary Earl Grey – it's packed with flavor! The floral notes from the lavender subtly compliment the tangy citrus of the Earl Grey for an overall bold yet delicate taste like no other, Raven Tea.

mixologists tea set brewed in cocktail glasses

Tea tasting is not just about enjoying a hot beverage. It's a journey of discovery, a way to explore new blends and flavors. By understanding the body, strength, and flavors of your brew, your tea-drinking experience can transform from a simple routine into an enriching ritual. So, the next time you sit down for a cup of tea, pause to appreciate its nuances, take time to savor it, and who knows – you might discover a new favorite!


Kara holding a hive frame in doorway of cabin

About the Author

Kara waxes about the bees, creates and tests recipes with her friend Joyce, and does her best to share what she’s learning about the bees, honey, ingredients we use and more. Read more about Kara