We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Amy Aed

Argentina, Mongolia, Hong Kong, Iran, Kenya, New Zealand, the Sahara Desert… What would you say that all of these places have in common? As it just so happens, it’s tea.

Whilst the customs and traditions differ greatly between each country, the heart of the ceremony is always the same - that much-loved beverage usually made from the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant. Used for personal, community, health, spiritual, or physical benefits, there’s a reason why this one drink plays such a large significance in cultures all across the world.

Read more

Argentina, Mongolia, Hong Kong, Iran, Kenya, New Zealand, the Sahara Desert… What would you say that all of these places have in common? As it just so happens, it’s tea.

Whilst the customs and traditions differ greatly between each country, the heart of the ceremony is always the same - that much-loved beverage usually made from the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant. Used for personal, community, health, spiritual, or physical benefits, there’s a reason why this one drink plays such a large significance in cultures all across the world.

In this course, you will learn about the basics of tea, different tea processing methods, the histories, myths, and stories surrounding tea in 30 cultures around the world, traditional brewing methods in rural and nomadic societies, the health benefits (and disadvantages) of tea, the roles of other culturally significant beverages (including beverages that exist solely to get you high. ), different types of tea ceremonies, and how to say the word ‘tea’ in a variety of languages across the globe. I hope that just about covers what you came here to learn about.

Whilst this course may only take a few hours or days to complete, it will be with you for your whole life. The insights gained from this course are ideal for any budding tea master, tea blogger, tea journalist, or tea enthusiast - and everyone in between.

Kick back with a mug of your favourite brew and allow yourself to be transported to the desert sands of the Sahara, the warm roadside Chai Dhabas, a Mongolian gur in the rural mountainside, a busy cafe in the middle of bustling Hong Kong… with the idea of tea at the heart of it all.

At the end of the course, you will receive your very own certification of completion, so that you can show off your newfound knowledge to all those you meet. Along with that, a wonderful British graphic designer has created a FREE printable poster which displays the most unique tea cultures across the world, which you can keep forever.

Enroll now

Here's a deal for you

We found an offer that may be relevant to this course.
Save money when you learn. All coupon codes, vouchers, and discounts are applied automatically unless otherwise noted.

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • An understanding of the basics of tea - including the six different types with tea, different tea processing methods, and the health benefits associated with different teas
  • The histories, myths, and stories surrounding tea in 30 cultures around the world, and the cultural significance of each one
  • Traditional tea brewing methods in rural and nomadic societies that you can recreate at home
  • The roles of other culturally significant beverages, including beverages that are used for recreational, aphrodisiac, and hallucinogenic purposes
  • Different types of tea ceremonies, from the classic japanese chadō to the wu-wo ceremony to the gongfu ceremony, to lesser known ceremonies in morocco, iran, mongolia, and russia, along with many other
  • Cultural idioms surrounding tea, and how to say the word 'tea' around the world

Syllabus

Introduction
You will learn about the six different types of tea, the different tea plants, the orthodox and CTC methods of tea processing, how tea is harvested, withered, rolled, oxidised, and dried.
Read more
The Basics of Tea
Within this part of the course, you will learn the history behind tea in China, the tea brick and loose leaf phases, modern day tea culture in China, the Gongfu tea ceremony, how to host your own tea
Tea in China
Covers history of tea in Japan, different types of Japanese tea processing, different grades and uses for matcha, what happens during a Japanese tea ceremony, and how to host your own tea ceremony.
Tea in Japan
Talks about the history of masala chai, different types of Indian tea, the four flushes of tea, and teas produced in Assam, Darjeeling, and Nilgiri.
Tea in India
You will learn about the history of tea in Hong Kong and the famous pantyhose tea.
Tea in Hong Kong
You will learn about Po Cha, typical Tibetan ways of drinking tea, and tea etiquette.
Tea in Tibet
Covers the history of tea in Mongolia, Mongolia tea culture, and the top types of Mongolian tea: Khalkh tea, Durvud tea, Kazakh tea, Torguud tea, Zakchin tea, rice tea, and tea with nettle.
Tea in Mongolia
Talks about the history of tea in Nepal, tea culture in Nepal, and the Nepalese tea seasons.
Tea in Nepal
Talks about modern day tea habits in Myanmar and the tea shops that form such a large part of Burmese culture.
Tea in Myanmar
You will learn about the history of tea in Iran, the tea ceremony in Iran, and the preferred way of preparing and consuming tea in Iran, featuring detailed information on Nabat.
Tea in Iran
You will learn about the history of tea cultivation in Turkish, the significant of Turkish tea gardens, and the preparation of Turkish tea.
Tea in Turkey
Covers the history of tea in Russia, Russian tea ceremony, and the significance of the Russian samovar.
Tea in Russia
Talks about the history of tea in Taiwan, the Wu Wo tea ceremony, and one of Taiwan’s most popular brews - Oriental Beauty.
Tea in Taiwan
Talks about the history of tea in South Korea, ideas surrounding tea and enlightenment, and tea culture in modern Korea.
Tea in South Korea
Talks about the history of tea in Malaysia and goes into detail about The Tarik, the country’s most famous tea.
Tea in Malaysia
Talks about the history of Sri Lanka, the birth of Ceylon tea, and tea production in Sri Lanka.
Tea in Sri Lanka
Covers the history of tea in Pakistan, tea culture, the health benefits and negatives of tea, and the famous Pakistan Chai Dhabas.
Tea in Pakistan
Talks about the history of tea in Thailand, the famous butterfly pea tea, and the economic change from opium to tea.
Tea in Thailand
Talks about the history of tea in Vietnam, tea cultivation, and the Vietnamese tea rituals.
Tea in Vietnam
You will learn about the history of tea in Morocco, how to make your own Moroccan tea at home, and variations to the famous Touareg tea.
Tea in Morocco
Talks about the history of tea in Kenya, Purple Tea, and tea ceremony in Kenya.
Tea in Kenya
Talks about the history of tea in, tea in the Malawian economy, why tea is so special in Malawi, and the five top types of teas processed and consumed in the country.
Tea in Malawi
You will learn about the history of tea in South Africa, and the top types of South African tea - black tea, rooibos, honey bush, and buchu.
Tea in South Africa
Talks about the history of tea in Argentina, the legend of Yerba Mate, how to process and drink tea in Argentina, and the Welsh influence on the country.
Tea in Argentina
You will learn about cascara, a popular beverage made from the coffee cherry fruit.
Tea in Bolivia
Talks about the history of tea in Mexico, along with other popular Mexican beverages - such as poleo, hierbabuena, lemon, lemongrass, aqua de Jamaica, champurrado, pozol, curado, moringa water, pulque
Tea in Mexico
You will learn about the art of tea in France and tea popularity in the country.
Tea in France
Covers the history of tea in the UK and this influence on the wider world, along with talking about different types of tea and the much-loved afternoon tea.
Tea in the United Kingdom
Talks about tea culture in the US, the Boston Tea Party, and the popularity of iced tea and specialty tea.
Tea in the United States of America
Talks about the history of tea in Canada, the popularity of tea in modern-day Canada, and different types of tea used in indigenous ceremony and life.
Tea in Canada
Talks about the history of tea in Australia, modern tea culture, health benefits of tea, and the Guringai First Nations traditional practices using tea.
Tea in Australia
Talks about the history of tea in New Zealand and modern day tea habits.
Tea in New Zealand
Whilst this course primarily focuses on the tea coming from the camellia sinensis plant (as ‘teas’ coming from other plants or sources aren’t teas at all!), you will also learn about the other beverag
Other culturally significant beverages
Other types of ‘teas’ include those made for recreational or hallucinogenic purposes, such as kava, kratom, coca tea, and salvia. You will learn about all of these.
Other culturally significant beverages for recreational purposes
This will talk about the different ways of saying the word for tea in cultures all across the world.
How to say ‘tea’ around the world
A simple thank you for coming on this journey with me!
Thank you for coming on this tea journey!

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Explores a unique aspect of tea: its cultural significance around the world
Covers a wide range of tea cultures, providing a comprehensive overview
Teaches about the health benefits and disadvantages of tea, providing a balanced perspective
Provides a certification of completion, which can be useful for professional development
Includes a free printable poster displaying the most unique tea cultures, which can serve as a valuable resource
May require extensive background knowledge on tea to fully appreciate the content

Save this course

Save 30 Tea Cultures Around the World to your list so you can find it easily later:
Save

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 30 Tea Cultures Around the World with these activities:
Review your notes and assignments from the course
Refresh your memory on key concepts, reinforce your understanding, and prepare for future activities.
Show steps
  • Gather your notes, assignments, and any other relevant materials from the course.
  • Go through the materials, focusing on key concepts and important details.
  • Make notes or summaries to help you retain the information.
Brew different types of tea using various methods
Reinforce your knowledge of tea types and brewing techniques through hands-on practice.
Show steps
  • Gather different types of tea leaves and brewing equipment.
  • Experiment with different brewing methods, such as steeping, boiling, and cold brewing.
  • Taste and compare the resulting teas, noting the differences in flavor and aroma.
Watch videos on tea ceremonies from different cultures
Expand your understanding of tea culture and rituals by observing different brewing and serving techniques.
Show steps
  • Search for videos showcasing tea ceremonies from various cultures.
  • Watch the videos and pay attention to the specific steps and traditions involved.
  • Take notes on the unique aspects of each ceremony.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Attend a tea tasting event
Connect with other tea enthusiasts, expand your knowledge, and sample different varieties.
Show steps
  • Find a local tea tasting event or festival.
  • Register or purchase tickets to attend the event.
  • Engage with tea experts and fellow attendees to learn about and sample various teas.
Compile a list of tea-related resources
Strengthen your knowledge of tea by gathering and organizing various resources on the subject.
Show steps
  • Search for websites, books, videos, and other resources related to tea.
  • Create a document or spreadsheet to organize the resources by category.
  • Include brief descriptions or annotations for each resource.
Write a blog post about your favorite tea
Practice writing about tea and share your knowledge with others while solidifying your understanding of the topic.
Show steps
  • Choose your favorite tea and research its history, origin, and brewing methods.
  • Write a draft of your blog post, describing the tea's flavor, aroma, and cultural significance.
  • Edit and finalize your blog post for publication.
Host a tea party and invite friends to discuss different tea cultures
Engage with peers in a social setting to share knowledge, compare experiences, and foster a deeper appreciation for tea.
Show steps
  • Plan the tea party, including selecting a theme, preparing tea samples, and inviting guests.
  • Host the tea party and facilitate discussions on different tea cultures and traditions.
  • Encourage guests to share their knowledge and experiences with tea.

Career center

Learners who complete 30 Tea Cultures Around the World will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Here are nine courses similar to 30 Tea Cultures Around the World.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2024 OpenCourser