The importance of questions is what I would like to start this article with. For some reason, I found it to be an important point of entry to this particular aspect of the realm of tea. For most of us, tea is a tradition, a hand-me-down through generations. We go to the market, pick the best brand we know, and that is that. We brew the tea, in the mornings, and in the evenings, have it with families and friends, and that is pretty much how things have been going on, so far tea is concerned. But there are nuances to tea that we commoners (or ‘muggles’ in the world of tea) cannot even to begin to fathom. What we commoners lack is answers and that is where the questions come in and the experts who can answer them- Tea Sommeliers.
Who are the Tea Sommeliers?
Tea Sommeliers are the experts in tea. It is almost magical to see them identify the exact type of tea simply by taking a sniff. A tea sommelier is well versed with every type, flavor, blend, taste, and terroir of tea. They are experts in the history, classification, locations, and identification of tea types and have intricate knowledge about the qualities the countless varieties of tea possess. It is intriguing to watch how they can differentiate two different kinds of tea that look and feel exactly alike. They can almost name the exact price for the teas simply by testing and tasting the leaves, differentiating exactly which tea is of superior quality.
What do Tea Sommeliers do?
As I mentioned, tea sommeliers are the tea experts, loaded with intricate details on the various varieties of tea. You might be surprised to know that there are professional and certified courses for tea sommeliers, even in India. Their work is to advice people about what kind of tea would suit them as per their taste. They work with restaurants and tea houses, and with their knowledge in the blending, quality and origin of tea, they can make the right choice of what tea will be appropriate to buy. Pretty much like the wine sommeliers, who are responsible for preparing wine menus or stacking the cellars with the right wines or planning a menu based on what food is best complimented with what wine in fine and reputed restaurants or hotels.
Wine Sommeliers are known and popular, because we all are aware of wine tasting ceremonies being done in many a places and vineyards across the globe. So is for tea. There are tea tasting ceremonies as well, that is held across the globe. Just like wine tasting, tea tasting is a well acclaimed profession with excellent prospects.
When it comes to tea, knowing the right kind is of immense essence. And the right person to go to for all your questions would be a tea sommelier. They study, observe, feel and taste the textures of the tea leaves, their aroma and flavor and can explicably choose a higher quality tea with a suitable price. For anyone who has a definite passion for tea, becoming a tea sommelier could just be the right profession. With the right amount of travel, attending tea tasting ceremonies, and earning a good deal from your passion, what could be better for a tea aficionado than to become a tea sommelier!
