STI CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
Level III: Professional Series
The Black Teas of China, India, Sri Lanka, & the World
Content: This 2-day seminar will take an in depth look at many of the specialty black teas of China, India, Sri Lanka and other origins, this includes all grades presently used in, and/or readily available to, the specialty tea industry. In addition to lecture and AV presentations, actual teas will be physically examined and tasted. The seminar tastings will focus on comparative characteristics and will point out both assets and defects to be aware of when tasting the teas.
(Additional teas, not tasted in this seminar, will be displayed for attendee examination).
Objective: The objective of this seminar is to expand the knowledge base of the attendees (mainly professionals in the industry) to include a wider variety of specialty black teas. This course will help advance users in the specialty tea industry, better understand, the process of creating these teas, the similarities and differences in these teas, the steeping of these teas and the flavor and aroma profiles, and what is desirable and undesirable about these black teas.
Focus: The focus of the seminar will be on a more complete understanding of what to look for and what to avoid when handling, viewing and tasting specialty black teas for purchase.
Seminar Schedule: This is a 2 day seminar with a total of 12-13 hours of seminar work. Breakfast, tea breaks and lunch will be served both days. A small networking social will be planned for the evening. Discussion related to teas as well as networking will be encouraged during the breakfast, tea breaks and luncheon periods.
Day 1: Black Teas of China and Sri Lanka
8:00AM-9:15AM: The Black Teas of China
- Introductions - 15 min.
- Brief history, geography and background of China as it relates to black tea and black tea production - 30 min.
- Defining special features of the Chinese black tea industry including technical aspects and grades - 30 min.
9:15AM-9:35AM: Tea Break
9:35AM-11:35AM: Taste and Examine Chinese Black Teas
- Continue examining aspects of Chinese black teas including videos and photos - 30 min.
- Taste & examine Keemun, Yunnan, Anhui, Hunan, Guangdong teas (and a few iced tea standards). Focus on characteristics to look for and those to avoid - 90 min.
11:35AM-12:30PM: Lunch
12:30PM-1:30PM: The Black Teas of Sri Lanka
- Brief history of Sri Lankan black teas and a geographical orientation of their regions - 30 min.
- Defining features of the Sri Lankan black tea industry, technical aspects and grades - 30 min.
1:30PM-1:50PM: Tea Break
1:50PM-4:00PM: Taste and Examine Sri Lankan Black Teas
- Continue examining aspects of Sri Lankan black teas including videos and photos - 30 min.
- Taste & examine Dimbula, Uva, Nuwara Eliya, Ratnapura teas. Leaf teas, broken teas, including one pair for quality differences. Focus on what to look for as well as what to avoid - 90 min.
4:00PM-5:00PM: Review Session and Exam
Day 2: Black Teas of India and the World
8:00AM-9:15AM: The Black Teas of North India
- Introductions -15 min.
- Brief history of North Indian black teas and a geographical orientation of the tea origins - 30 min.
- Defining features of the Indian black tea industry, technical aspects and grades, including CTC grades - 30 min.
9:15AM-9:35AM: Tea Break
9:35AM-11:35AM: Taste and Examine North Indian Black Teas
- Continue examining aspects of North Indian black teas including videos and photos - 30 min.
- Taste & examine North Indian Darjeeling and Assam teas. Leaf teas, broken leaf tea, CTC. First, Second Flush, and Autumnal Darjeeling's. Focus on characteristics to look for and those to avoid - 90 min.
11:35AM-12:30PM: Lunch
12:30PM-1:30PM: The Black Teas of South India & Other Origins
- Brief history of black teas from South India and Nepal, including a geographical orientation of all other specialty origins - 30 min.
- Defining features of these origins' tea industry, technical aspects and grades. 30 min.
1:30PM-1:50PM: Tea Break
1:50PM-3:50PM: Taste and Examine Black Teas from South Indian & Other Origins
- Continue examining aspects of black teas from South India, Nepal and other origins including videos and photos - 30 min.
- Tasting black teas from Nilgiri, Nepal, Kenya, Indonesia, Argentina, including black teas of various grades. Focus on characteristics to look for and those to avoid. - 90 min.
4:00PM-5:00PM: Review Session and Exam