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Career as Tea Taster: Sip Your Way To Success

Tea Taster

Tea is a favourite drink of all time. Every fragrant cup carries a rich and complex history. Most Indian households start their day with a cup of tea. To encapsulate, Indians consume at least 2 cups of tea daily. But wait! Why are we discussing tea today, and how is it even relevant in an educational portal? What if we tell you you can now build up a career from tea tasting? 

Let us read this short article on this mind-blowing opportunity awaiting you!

Who is a Tea Taster?

Responsible for assessing, examining, and interpreting the unique flavours, aroma, appearance, and general quality of various tea types is a complex chore assigned to this tea-tasting expert. The skill of tea tasting requires a keen sense of smell and taste, as the taster's taste buds and olfactory senses work together as precise tools to reveal the many nuances hidden in each tea leaf. This is an exciting yet satisfying job for tea lovers.

The work of a tea taster is a meticulous one, involving a careful scrutiny of tea characteristics. Through a series of cupping procedures, they conduct a thorough investigation of several teas, one by one. This method allows them to discern and compare the numerous subtle differences that distinguish one tea from another. With a rich vocabulary to describe the range of tastes, smells, and visual aspects, tea tasters meticulously report their findings to industry peers, discerning purchasers, and enthusiastic customers.

In addition, Tea tasters have a significant impact on product development and quality control beyond the art of tasting. They defend uniformity, ensuring that every batch of tea meets strict guidelines and exhibits the expected qualities.

Eligibility criteria for becoming a tea taster:

Educational Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree is preferred. Although it is not universally acclaimed, having one in related fields like food science, home science, or horticulture can be advantageous.

Skills 

  • Sensory perception 
  • Communication skills 
  • Attention to detail
  • Cultural awareness 
  • Analytical proficiency
  • Genuine passion for tea

Training and Certification

Some tea tasters pursue formal certifications, such as becoming a Certified Tea Specialist or a Certified Tea Sommelier. These credentials, conferred by diverse tea organisations, can bolster one's credibility within the field.

Experience

  • Industry Exposure
  • Apprenticeships

Admission Criteria

  • Application form, 
  • Academic transcripts, 
  • Required documents such as a resume or statement of purpose
  • Interview / tea tasting assessment(depends on the institutes/colleges)

Selection Process

  • Academic background, 
  • Relevant work experience, 
  • Passion for tea,
  • And your ability to demonstrate sensory skills during the selection process.

Entrance Exam

  • CUET
  • CUCET
  • SET

Course fees

 Rs 24,000 - Rs 1,00,000 lac

Salary range

 Rs.22,300- Rs 2,00,000 lacs per month

 

Top Indian Institutes for tea tasting course:

 

 Learn from the tea expert:

Let us take one example of a successful tea taster who made a big contribution with her work.

Snigdha Manchanda is India's first certified tea sommelier, tea taster and tea consultant. She founded her company Tea Trunk in 2013. Manchanda received her training from a professional tea school in Sri Lanka, where she studied under the guidance of Japanese tea master, Nao Kumekawa. Following the Lankan experience she did a stint at The Speciality Tea Institute, New York, where she studied the art of blending. She also has a Bachelor’s in Management Studies (BMS) in marketing, rural marketing, international business, organisational development, human resources from the University of Mumbai.

*Source: https://teatrunk.in/pages/about*

Additional Information:

 

  • Tea Taster