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Tea Drunk

In this second part of our three-tier Tea Fundamentals course, we will review the basics of tea, including its name conventions, health benefits, and some common myths surrounding tea. Understanding these fundamentals is essential for appreciating and enjoying the rich world of tea.

Tea is often perceived as a health-conscious beverage, but it is essential to separate fact from fiction. Let's explore some common myths and truths about tea and its potential health benefits.

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In this second part of our three-tier Tea Fundamentals course, we will review the basics of tea, including its name conventions, health benefits, and some common myths surrounding tea. Understanding these fundamentals is essential for appreciating and enjoying the rich world of tea.

Tea is often perceived as a health-conscious beverage, but it is essential to separate fact from fiction. Let's explore some common myths and truths about tea and its potential health benefits.

Terroir and cultivar are two key factors that contribute to the unique characteristics and flavors of tea. This section will explore the concept of terroir and its importance in tea production, as well as delve into the role of cultivars.

We will illustrate the significant role terroir plays in differentiating the flavor profiles and characteristics of different tea cultivars by comparing two teas: Silver Needle from Fu Ding and Moonlight White from Yun Nan.

Understanding terroir and cultivar is essential for appreciating the complexity and diversity in the world of tea.

After reviewing the basics of tea and having deepened our knowledge about terroir and cultivars, it's time to put our knowledge to the test.  We'll finish the course with a short quiz to test your understanding of these concepts.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Understand the naming conventions of tea
  • Grasp the importance of terroir in tea production
  • Comprehend the importance of cultivars
  • Distinguish between truth and myths around health benefits regarding tea

Syllabus

Deepen Your Tea Knowledge
Review of Tea Basics
The Naming Conventions of Tea
Truths and Myths of Health and Tea
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Understanding Terroir and Cultivar of Tea
Terroir: The Importance of Location
Terroir: Comparing Silver Needle from Fu Ding and Moonlight White from Yun Nan
Cultivar: From Heirloom to Clones
Quiz Time!
Tea Quiz 1

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Explores terroir and cultivars, which are essential for understanding the nuances and complexities of different teas and their unique flavor profiles
Reviews tea basics, including naming conventions, which provides a solid foundation for appreciating the diverse world of tea and its cultural significance
Examines common myths surrounding tea's health benefits, which helps learners separate fact from fiction and make informed choices about tea consumption
Requires prior knowledge of tea fundamentals, which may not be suitable for absolute beginners without any prior exposure to tea

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Tea Fundamentals II with these activities:
Review Tea Basics
Refresh your understanding of tea basics to better grasp the nuances discussed in this course.
Show steps
  • Review your notes from Tea Fundamentals I.
  • Research different tea types and their origins.
Read 'The Tea Book' by Linda Gaylard
Expand your knowledge of tea varieties and their characteristics by reading a comprehensive guide.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'The Tea Book'.
  • Read the sections relevant to tea types and terroir.
  • Take notes on key differences between tea varieties.
Create a Tea Tasting Journal
Document your tea tasting experiences to better understand the impact of terroir and cultivar on flavor.
Show steps
  • Purchase a notebook or create a digital document.
  • Taste different teas, noting their origin and cultivar.
  • Record your observations about aroma, taste, and appearance.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Follow Online Tea Brewing Tutorials
Refine your tea brewing techniques by following expert tutorials online.
Show steps
  • Search for reputable tea brewing tutorials on YouTube.
  • Follow the instructions carefully, paying attention to water temperature and steeping time.
  • Experiment with different brewing methods.
Review 'World Atlas of Tea' by Krisi Smith
Deepen your understanding of tea-growing regions and their impact on tea flavor by studying a world atlas of tea.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'World Atlas of Tea'.
  • Study the maps and descriptions of different tea-growing regions.
  • Compare the characteristics of teas from different regions.
Research a Specific Tea Cultivar
Conduct in-depth research on a specific tea cultivar to understand its unique characteristics and cultivation methods.
Show steps
  • Choose a tea cultivar that interests you.
  • Research its origin, cultivation, and flavor profile.
  • Present your findings in a report or presentation.
Participate in a Tea Tasting Group
Share your tea tasting experiences and learn from others in a group setting.
Show steps
  • Find a local tea tasting group or create your own.
  • Attend meetings and share your tasting notes.
  • Discuss the impact of terroir and cultivar on flavor.

Career center

Learners who complete Tea Fundamentals II will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Tea Sommelier
A tea sommelier is a trained professional with a deep understanding of tea, including its origins, processing, and flavor profiles. This course provides a strong foundation in the fundamentals of tea, building a strong basis for a career as a tea sommelier. Understanding tea's naming conventions and the impact of terroir and cultivar, as covered in this course, is crucial for accurately describing and recommending teas to customers. The course will help an aspiring tea sommelier better appreciate the complexities and nuances of different teas. By exploring the truths and myths surrounding tea, a sommelier will be better equipped to guide customers and offer expert advice.
Tea Buyer
A tea buyer is responsible for sourcing high quality teas. This course helps develop a keen eye for identifying superior teas. This course provides insight into the importance of terroir and cultivar in shaping a tea's flavor profile. This knowledge is essential for a tea buyer to make informed decisions when selecting teas. The ability to distinguish between different teas, and understand their unique characteristics, will be invaluable for this role. The course will help a tea buyer more effectively evaluate teas from different regions and make informed purchasing decisions. The course can help a tea buyer navigate the nuances of tea production and procure superior products.
Tea Educator
A tea educator teaches others about the different varieties of tea, the history of tea, and the culture of tea. This course helps one develop a strong foundation in tea fundamentals. This course provides a deep understanding of terroir, cultivars, and their impact on tea flavor. A tea educator can use the fundamentals taught in this course to offer classes and workshops. This course helps one to better explain the complexities of tea to a range of audiences. The course will also help in dispelling myths about health benefits of tea, and promoting the truths about tea.
Tea Blender
A tea blender creates unique tea blends by combining different tea varieties, herbs, and spices. This course provides the foundation necessary for understanding the different flavor profiles of tea. This course will help a tea blender understand how terroir and cultivar influence those flavors. Blending requires a deep appreciation for the characteristics of individual teas. The course is an important step in gaining the knowledge to create balanced, flavorful tea blends. The course enhances the ability of a tea blender to choose appropriate teas for specific flavor profiles.
Food and Beverage Consultant
A food and beverage consultant advises restaurants, hotels, and other businesses on their menu offerings, including tea. This course helps form a basis for offering sound advice on tea. This course's thorough review of tea fundamentals, its naming conventions, and the influence of terroir and cultivar will enhance the expertise of a food and beverage consultant. The ability to distinguish between tea varieties and evaluate their quality is essential for advising clients on selecting the best teas. This course will also offer the consultant the knowledge needed to develop informative menus and presentations. The course will help the consultant to create pairings with different cuisines and offer a better understanding of the beverage as a whole.
Tea Importer
A tea importer sources tea from various regions around the world and brings it to market. This course helps teach the importance of understanding the nuances of different teas from different regions. This course helps an importer understand how terroir and cultivar influence a tea's unique character, which is essential for making informed purchasing decisions. The knowledge gained in this course is a major aspect of evaluating and selecting high quality teas for import. The course will ultimately lead to better product selection and more successful business practices. The study of tea will help the individual understand the overall tea market.
Tea Shop Owner
A tea shop owner manages a retail business that sells a variety of teas and tea accessories. This course will help a shop owner make informed decisions about which teas to stock. This course will help a business owner understand tea varieties, tea processing, and the influence of terroir and cultivar on flavor. A shop owner who is knowledgeable about tea can give customers an expert and informed experience. This course will give the tea shop owner the skills to advise customers on their purchases and to effectively market their products. The course can help the tea shop owner build a reputation as a reliable and knowledgeable source of high quality teas.
Restaurant Manager
A restaurant manager oversees the daily operations of a restaurant, including the beverage menu. This course may be useful for ensuring a well-informed staff about the restaurant's tea selection. This course's review of tea basics, including its naming conventions and health benefits, can help the manager better understand the tea options available. The knowledge of terroir and cultivar will help them make informed decisions when procuring tea. A restaurant manager will be able to improve customer satisfaction by understanding tea and educating their staff. The course can ultimately improve their ability to offer a quality dining experience.
Beverage Director
A beverage director is responsible for overseeing all beverage programs at a hotel, resort, or restaurant group. The director develops and manages the beverage menus. This course provides a helpful introduction to the world of tea. The course's information on the fundamentals of tea, including nomenclature, health benefits, and the impact of terroir and cultivar, will help a beverage director who wishes to expand the tea program. The course may help the beverage director develop novel tea pairings and create a more appealing beverage menu for their clientele. The course also may help the director navigate the tea market more effectively.
Food Writer
A food writer creates content on food and beverages for publications such as magazines, newspapers, and websites. This course may be useful for writing more knowledgably about tea. The course offers coverage of tea fundamentals, including its naming conventions and the impact of terroir and cultivar. Understanding such concepts will be crucial for accurate and engaging commentary. A food writer can use the knowledge gained in this course to write more informative and insightful articles about the tea industry. The course may help the food writer expand the breadth and scope of their content. The course can introduce writers to areas of tea they may not have considered.
Culinary Instructor
A culinary instructor teaches cooking classes and provides education on various culinary topics. This course may be useful for expanding the scope of teaching with the topic of tea. The course's discussion of tea fundamentals, naming conventions, terroir, and cultivar can provide the instructor with a base of knowledge about tea. The culinary instructor may integrate tea into their cooking classes by explaining its role in various cuisines. The course will help the instructor to educate their students on the importance of tea in cultural contexts. The course enhances the culinary instructor's ability to teach a broad range of culinary subjects.
Agricultural Researcher
An agricultural researcher conducts scientific studies on crops and agricultural techniques. This course gives an introduction to tea cultivars, information which could be relevant to agricultural research. The course's focus on the importance of terroir and cultivar in tea production can inform studies by agricultural researchers who specialize in related crops. The course may help agricultural researchers compare the needs of different agricultural plants. The course will help them understand the influence of location on plant characteristics, which can be extremely important when conducting research activities.
Herbalist
An herbalist studies and uses plants for medicinal and therapeutic purposes. This course may be useful for developing a better understanding of plant varieties and their attributes. Although this course is specifically about tea it provides details on terroir and cultivar which may be important for herbalists. The course can give the herbalist an enhanced awareness of the importance of location and variety. The course may give the herbalist an additional perspective into the world of plants. Learning the difference varieties could inform the way an herbalist thinks about plants in general.
Botanist
A botanist studies plants, their physiology, genetics, and classification. This course may be useful in so much as it provides information on tea crops. A botanist will find the course's discussion of cultivar and terroir interesting in the context of tea. The course may provide a botanist the chance to explore plant variations driven by these specific factors. The botanist would be able to learn about tea from a more detailed point of view, using many of the same principles that guide their botanical work. The course will help the botanist understand the variation between plant types and cultivars.
Horticulturist
A horticulturist specializes in the cultivation and management of garden crops, including fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. This course may be useful as it provides an overview of tea from an agricultural perspective. The course's information on terroir and cultivar is relevant to horticultural practices. The horticulturist may find value in learning how to select desirable plant varieties for unique traits. The course might offer some insights into methods for improving the growing conditions of various plants. The course would help them understand the importance of the environment on plant variation.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Tea Fundamentals II.
Provides a comprehensive overview of tea, covering its history, cultivation, and preparation. It's a valuable resource for understanding the different types of tea and their unique characteristics. It serves as a great reference for deepening your knowledge of tea beyond the course material. This book is commonly used by tea enthusiasts and professionals alike.
This atlas provides a detailed exploration of tea-growing regions around the world. It is helpful for understanding the impact of terroir on tea flavor. It is more valuable as additional reading than as a current reference. It provides a deep dive into the geographical and environmental factors that influence tea production.

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