Are you looking for a tea journey that transforms you from a tea lover into a globally certified Tea Sommelier—and puts you at the heart of the world's most dynamic tea event?
This December, we invite you to an experience unlike any other. Not just a certification course. Not just a tea expo. But a seamless journey from intensive training to real-world practice—where you step out of the classroom and directly onto the global stage of the 2026 Shenzhen International Autumn Tea Expo.
This is where your tea journey becomes your tea career.
The Tea Tasting & Sommelier Course: Master Chinese Tea with Scientific Rigor
Our Advanced Tea Tasting & Sommelier Course is designed for those who seek mastery—not just knowledge. Over four intensive days, you will develop competencies that set you apart in the global tea industry:
What You Will Master:
Tea Science & Processing – From cultivation and fermentation to the biochemical signatures of six tea categories
Sensory Evaluation – The 4S Technique (See–Smell–Sip–Savor), identifying 12 key flavor profiles, and detecting processing signatures
Brewing Mastery – Seven specialized techniques across glass, gaiwan, and teapot methods, including temperature layering, flavor balancing, and old tea brewing
Wellness Integration – Body constitution matching, seasonal tea therapy, and Yin-Yang balance principles
Cross-Disciplinary Applications – Tea and wine pairing, umami science, cold-brew chemistry, and tea cocktail mixology
Premium Tea Selection: You will taste and evaluate 20 premium teas from China's most emblematic growing regions—an immersive journey through authentic tea terroirs.
The Tea Sommelier's Mission: "To transform Chinese tea from an exotic curiosity into a universal symbol of cultural refinement—articulating an Eastern philosophy of living: harmony in diversity".
All instruction is delivered in English, bridging Chinese tea wisdom with Western perspectives in a scientifically rigorous yet engaging approach.
The Stage: Shenzhen Tea Expo 2026 – The World's Largest Tea Event
Immediately after your training, you will step onto the floor of the 2026 China (Shenzhen) International Autumn Tea Expo, held at the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center from December 17–21.
This is the global tea industry's premier annual gathering:
100,000 m² of exhibition space
Over 300,000 visitors and 1,400 exhibitors
A global platform connecting China's tea industry with the world
Your two-day preparation period (December 15–16) will include expo briefing, orientation, and practical coaching on engaging international visitors, conducting tastings, and presenting with confidence.
As a certified Tea Sommelier, you won't just visit the expo—you'll be an active participant in the World Tea Dialogue · Tea for Harmony — Shenzhen 2026, a global youth tea culture exchange program hosted by the International Academy of Chinese Tea (IACT) and HJC Tea Expo Shenzhen.
This program brings together young tea enthusiasts from China, France, UK, USA, Australia, Russia, Turkey, India, Vietnam, Tanzania, and beyond to share their tea traditions and discover Chinese tea through global eyes.
As a participant, you will:
Share Your Own Tea Culture – Present your country's tea traditions, drinking habits, and personal tea stories
Experience Chinese Tea Firsthand – Discover, taste, talk, and share with Chinese tea professionals and enterprises
Connect Across Cultures – Join open dialogues on Tea & Family, Tea & Hospitality, Tea & Daily Life, Tea & Nature, and Tea & Friendship
Go Global with Your Voice – Share your experience across Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and more, using the hashtag #TeaConnectsTheWorld
Who Should Apply
This program is for international tea lovers who are ready to take their passion to a professional level—whether you are a:
Tea retailer or entrepreneur
Hospitality or food & beverage professional
Educator or content creator
Tea enthusiast seeking credentialed expertise
Young leader passionate about cross-cultural exchange
