Many people drink tea every day, yet few have truly come to know it.
Have you ever bought a fine tea, only to wonder how to brew it well?
Or tasted different varieties, and struggled to tell them apart?
Prelude to Tea is designed for beginners like you.
We start with the six main types of tea, and guide you step by step through the essentials— building your knowledge, demystifying the brewing process, so that you no longer follow instructions blindly, but understand why each step matters.
You will learn not just the techniques, but the logic behind them— how tea leaves respond to heat, to time, to the vessel you choose.
Once you grasp these principles, you will know how to adjust for any tea, and brew a cup that truly suits your taste.
This is a solid yet gentle introduction — your first confident step into the world of tea.
Tea is more than a daily drink.
It is a craft, a culture, and a lifelong pursuit— one that rewards curiosity at every turn.
｜Course Highlights｜
Your journey into tea begins with two simple foundations:
knowing the leaves, and knowing the vessels.
Choosing the right tea, paired with the right teaware — these two go hand in hand, and together they unlock the true character of every brew.
Prelude to Tea walks you through from the very start — introducing the major tea families, the tools of the craft, and the methods that bring them to life.
Step by step, you will build your own way of tasting, your own rhythm of brewing.
In class, you will taste and compare eight iconic Chinese teas — from green, yellow, and white, to oolong, black, and dark tea.
All six major categories, side by side, so you can experience their distinct personalities firsthand, and form your very first impressions of each.
It all begins with a single leaf.
From there, you will gradually deepen your understanding, refine your appreciation, and cultivate a tea practice that is truly your own.
｜What You Will Learn｜
Understanding Tea
✤ The six major tea categories and what makes each unique
✤ How origin, harvest time, and picking methods shape the flavour of a leaf
✤ Basic tasting techniques and how to describe what you smell and sip
✤ How to store your tea properly to keep it fresh
✤ How to clean and care for your teaware
Understanding Teaware
✤The character of different tea vessels and which teas they suit best
✤How purple clay pots and white porcelain tools affect the colour, aroma, and taste of your brew
✤The basic principles of setting up a simple tea space
Brewing in Practice
✤ Mastering the interplay of water temperature, leaf-to-water ratio, and steeping time
✤Hands-on practice with a gaiwan and a purple clay pot
✤Developing your own daily brewing rhythm—one that feels natural and personal to you
｜Course Content｜
| Course |
Main Content |
| Unit 1: Theory & Tasting |
✤ Overview of the six major tea types
✤ Tasting: West Lake Longjing, Huoshan Yellow Bud, Fuding White Peony, Phoenix Dan Cong, Wuyi Da Hong Pao, Keemun Black Tea, Pu'er Ripe Tea, Guangxi Liubao Tea
✤ Difference between tasting and drinking tea
✤ Flavor description and taste analysis
✤ Influence of growing environment and climate
✤ Relationship between plucking standards and quality
✤ Tea storage principles and practice |
| Unit 2: Hands-on Brewing |
✤ Tea table layout principles
✤ Brewing procedure practice
✤ Application of the three key brewing elements
✤ Gaiwan and zisha teapot brewing practice
✤ Teaware cleaning and storage |
At the end of the course, there will be a simple learning assessment to help you review and consolidate what you have learned. Upon completion of the course and meeting the specified requirements, you will receive a certificate of attainment—marking your first milestone along your tea journey.
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｜Event Details｜
Date: 10 October, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:20PM - 5:30PM
Language: English
Location: 8/F, 83 Wan Chai Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Fee: HKD1,280
Number of participants: 10 participants
｜Terms and Conditions｜
No leave or make-up classes are available.
Tea samples may vary by season.
After payment confirmation, course instructions will be sent one week before the start date.
Workshop spots cannot be exchanged for cash or other gifts.
Once confirmed, no rescheduling or refunds will be accepted.
Photography, video, or audio recording may take place during class for review and promotional purposes. Please notify staff immediately if you do not wish to be recorded.
Yu Teahouse reserves the right to modify course terms and conditions without prior notice. In case of any dispute, Yu Teahouse retains the final decision.