Tea, like wine, offers a complex world of flavors waiting to be discovered. At Fancy Flights, we believe that understanding the nuances of tea tasting can transform your daily cup from a simple pleasure to an extraordinary experience.

Understanding the Language of Tea

Tea tasting has its own vocabulary. Terms like "astringency," "mouthfeel," and "finish" might seem intimidating at first, but they're simply ways to describe what you're already experiencing. Astringency refers to that drying sensation some teas leave in your mouth—particularly prominent in certain black teas and young green teas. Mouthfeel describes the tea's texture—is it smooth, creamy, or brisk? The finish is the lingering flavor that remains after you've swallowed.

The Five Steps to Mindful Tea Tasting

To truly appreciate your tea's character, follow these simple steps:

1. Observe the dry leaves - Notice their color, shape, and aroma. Are they tightly rolled or flat? Dark or vibrant green?
2. Smell the wet leaves - After the first infusion, the leaves release their full aroma. This "wet leaf aroma" often reveals notes hidden in the dry form.
3. Examine the liquor - Hold your cup against a white background and observe the color. Is it pale gold, amber, or deep burgundy?
4. Taste thoughtfully - Take a small sip and let it coat your entire mouth. What flavors emerge immediately? What develops as you hold it?
5. Notice the aftertaste - After swallowing, breathe out through your nose. How does the flavor evolve? Does it linger or disappear quickly?

Expanding Your Palate

The best way to develop your tea-tasting skills is through comparison. In our weekend tasting workshops, we guide guests through vertical tastings (different harvests of the same tea) and horizontal tastings (different teas from the same region). These comparative experiences rapidly develop your ability to discern subtle differences.

Join us this Saturday for our "Oolong Exploration" tasting flight, where we'll journey through five distinctive oolongs ranging from lightly oxidized to dark roasted varieties. Your tea experience will never be the same!