30 Apr Tea & Toast Workshop, T2, Melbourne CBD

There’s so much to learn about the wonderful world of tea, and while I do enjoy a good cup, I’m aware that my tea knowledge is sadly lacking. T2’s Tea Workshops are perfect for learning more about tea, and the workshops held this week covered the basics as well as content beyond the basics for tea aficionados. Though usually only open to Tea Society members, I was kindly invited by T2 to participate in their Tea & Toast workshop.

As one of Australia’s largest tea retailers, T2 has a wide array of products ranging from the traditional, to mixes, flavoured and scented teas. With such experience and access to tea experts and tea lovers, they are in a great position to educate others and spread their infectious enthusiasm for tea.

I arrived at the Little Collins store very early on a chilly morning, wandered up a discreet staircase and into the Tea Studio above. I was quite looking forward to warming myself with some hot tea and breakfast nibbles. The tea studio was bright, airy and homey as well, courtesy of the lush pot plants, kitchenette and bar stools surrounding the island bench. It was an intimate setting.

We were treated to the knowledge and tea brewing expertise of Magenta and Sydney, and we flowed effortlessly through the workshop content. We first journeyed into the past to learn how tea was first discovered and how it spread throughout the world from its origins in China. Sydney explained the health benefits and differences between the categories of tea: white, green, red, black, oolong, herbal, fruit, honeybush and rooibos. There were many tidbits we learnt along the way, such as the difference between flavoured and scented tea – the flavouring ingredients added to flavoured tea are still present in the tea mix, whereas additional ingredients used in scented teas are removed – and how the characteristics of the tea change with different picking and processing methods and brewing technique, such as brewing temperatures and times.

The table was adorned with a variety of breakfast pastries, bread, T2’s own tea-infused jams and gorgeous Pepe Saya butter to munch on during the workshop. Of course, there was plenty of tea tasting too, and we moved through from the more delicate and subtle teas to the more robust. I loved the Geisha Getaway, and though I’m not generally a huge fan of Earl Grey I also really enjoyed the French Earl Grey they offered us.

T2’s Tea Workshops would be great for tea enthusiasts, and even those just wanting to find out more. I’m looking forward to what other workshops T2 will be offering in the future!

T2
Various locations
(Workshops held at:
269 Little Collins Street
Melbourne, VIC, 3000)
http://www.t2tea.com/