Usually, I enjoy a cup of tea at home, often alone, sometimes with friends or family. But what if we turned tea drinking into an unforgettable event? At the PAPER & TEA store, you can experience a unique tea tasting alongside other tea enthusiasts. But what does a tea tasting involve, and do you need any prior knowledge? To help you picture our tasting process, let me take you on an aromatic journey!
Embark on an Adventure: Warm Welcome to the World of Tea
I arrive ten minutes before it begins: The store is bright and inviting, furnished in a Japandi style. The atmosphere is calm and relaxing—just what I need after a hectic workday. A staff member warmly greets me and guides me to a small back room where I can leave my coat and bag. Once all the other participants have arrived, we gather and introduce ourselves in a short round. Accompanying me are three other tea fans; the small group feels personal, and you quickly feel at ease. We share our connections to tea and why we've chosen to attend today. The tea expert guiding us into the world of tea also shares how her love for tea began and how she became a part of PAPER & TEA.
Awaken Your Palate: Dive into a World of Tea Aromas
Everything is already set at the tea bar: a wooden tray with teacups awaits us, and six tea caddies are lined up, ready for tasting. Our tea expert skillfully brews the first tea in front of us, passing around the tea leaves for us to inspect. After the steeping time, we're all amazed by the intense aromas wafting from the brewed leaves.
A Symphony of Senses: The Joy of Tasting Teas
We try one tea after another. For each, our tea expert shares details about its origin, how it's made, and the best way to prepare it. Everyone gets the chance to smell and view the tea beforehand. The whole tasting seems very engaging as there's always something happening. I'm occupied with sampling a cup, examining tea leaves, or listening to the impressions shared in the group. The atmosphere is light, we drink tea together, and the tea expert encourages us to discuss the flavors and discover our preferences. Our small group is particularly surprised by an oolong tea that tastes like green tea. If a tea tastes particularly good, I'm happily offered a second cup.
Expert Insights: Embrace the Chance to Learn and Ask
What I find particularly appealing is that we're all encouraged by our tea expert to express our opinions about the teas. You don't need to be an expert to talk about tea: do we like it—yes or no? It doesn't feel like a monotonous lecture that we must follow but rather an interactive experience shared with other tea enthusiasts. Questions are always welcome, and the experts are pleased to provide us with tips.
Broaden Your Horizons: Many Tea Topics to Explore
For beginners, our store team recommends visiting the Introduction to the World of Tea or Art of Blending sessions about tea blends. These offer a great overview of all types of tea and what tea is in general. If a particular variety interests you (such as oolong or green teas), we have tailored tastings for that. Our Matcha Tasting is a popular favorite: you can prepare your own matcha and enjoy it. Each tasting is different, so it's worth coming back to learn something new!
The Afterglow: Wander Through Our Tea Treasures
It feels delightful to sit at the tea bar with other tea fans. If you come alone, you'll soon forget that. You're always in good company! Beside me sat two friends who had booked the tasting together and explored the teas with great enjoyment. After the tasting, there's plenty of time to sample teas again, find them in-store, and browse the assortment. One participant fell in love with the surprising oolong tea and immediately decided to take it home. We bid farewell and leave with the feeling of having discovered new flavors. Although I've been working for PAPER & TEA for more than two years, I learned a lot today and took it home with me.
The Perfect Gift: A Tea Tasting for Every Occasion
The hour spent at the tea tasting leaves a pleasant memory. It's a fantastic gift idea, whether for yourself or with company. You don't have to be a tea connoisseur to enjoy a tea tasting—in fact, newcomers can discover this diverse beverage in a truly unique way. Visit PAPER & TEA for a tasting and find your favorite tea! You can book your ticket online straight away.
