TEA INSTRUCTOR AND TEA EXPERT

A tea instructor that has a good tea education and is knowledgeable in tea history and tea production is often in demand.



Tea education is becoming very popular. People want to learn more about tea and the more educated they become about tea, the more in demand a tea instructor becomes.

If you enjoy talking in front of groups of people, think about having tea education classes and becoming a tea instructor. You can become an expert on tea in your own community. You can become an expert on tea by reading books on tea, researching tea on the internet, and taking the Tea Certification Seminars from the Specialty Tea Instutute

You can offer classes at your local community college, city recreation centers, or even local churches. There are many groups that would hire you as a speaker. Senior centers, newcomers groups, Red Hat Society, women’s church groups, high schools, women’s golf clubs, etc. are just a few of the organizations that are available.

You can offer etiquette class in conjunction with tea education. Consider having 2-3 etiquette classes culminating in an afternoon tea to practice all the manners your students have learned. Classes can be offered to young girls as well as to young boys. Consider having etiquette classes for teenagers around prom and graduation time. There is a demand to teach these young men and women good table manners and which fork and knife to use first.

Consider having a Girls Victorian Summer Camp. You can teach etiquette as well as history of manners and Victorian times. With a little research you can become an expert on manners, customs, games, language of the fan, and various other niceties that applied at that time. This camp can include proper greetings and introductions, the long lost art of invitations, RSVPs, and thank you notes. Other areas to cover would be table settings, table manners, proper conversation, and telephone manners. This could also culminate in an afternoon tea at a local tea room if one is available in your area. Dance lessons and sewing projects can be included.

Dining and etiquette parties for adult ladies can be offered. These can be held in your own home or at a local tea room. This would also be a good time to educate the ladies on tea—how it is grown, the production of tea, what makes green, black, oolong, puerh, white tea different from each other, etc.

I offered a class at the local community college on Victorian afternoon tea. At the beginning of the class, I had three different kinds of tea—green, black blend, and flavored—tea sandwiches and sweets. The ladies helped themselves. While they were eating, I discussed several topics. I encourage them to feel free to go back for more food and tea during the discussion. I also encouraged questions at any time during the class.

The topics of covered were tea history, Victorian afternoon tea, difference between high and low tea, tea equipment, tea accouterments, teapots, teacups, tea etiquette and faux pas, brewing and pouring tea, tea types, and tea and health. Class lasted two hours. The charge for the class was $24 and I charged a $6 lab fee to cover the cost of the tea and food. Each member of the class had to bring a china teacup.

Some excellent sources for research are A New Tea Companion by Jane Pettigrew and Bruce Richardson, Tea and Etiquette, Taking Tea for Business and Pleasure by Dorothea Johnson, and Elbows Off the Table by Carol McD. Wallace.

Tea Curriculum for Victorian Afternoon Tea Class

History and Production of Tea

Course Porposal for a Tea Tasting

Course Proposal for Victorian Afternoon Tea

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