Tea Tasting and Blending for Two with Alex Probyn - Master Tea Blender

Tea Tasting and Blending for Two with Alex Probyn - Master Tea Blender
Tea Tasting and Blending for Two with Alex Probyn - Master Tea Blender
Tea Tasting and Blending for Two with Alex Probyn - Master Tea Blender
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Choice Voucher

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XTEAB
3 hrs
* * * * *

£98
  • About

    As the largest per capita tea consumers in the world, tea stands as a quintessential part of British culture, but how much do you actually know about this popular hot beverage? As a master tea blender, who has so far blended over a million cups of tea (an astounding amount considering the average person consumes 50,000 cups in their lifetime), Alex Probyn will explain all you need to know. After talking about the origin, history, manufacture and various styles, you'll taste a combination of up to 24 teas, including oolong, black, green, white, herbal and other teas from around the globe. Alex will show you the art of spitting and slurping, before you put theory into practice and test your newfound skills by creating your very own blend to take home.

    • Become a tea expert with the help of Alex Probyn - master tea blender
    • Learn about the history, origin, styles and different tastes of tea
    • Taste up to 24 different types of tea and choose from two London venues
    • Learn the art of slurping and spitting and why it's necessary to help you define taste
    • Create your very own blend to take home with you
  • Key Info

    Availability

    Saturdays approximately four times a year at Canary Wharf or one Wednesday evening per month at Shad Thames.

    Participant Guidelines

    Participants under 16 must be accompanied by a participating adult. Both venues welcome disabled participants and offer full wheelchair access.

    Duration

    Your tea tasting session will last for approximately three hours.

    Numbers On Day

    There will be up to 20 people taking part.

    Spectators

    As the experience is exclusive to paying participants only, no spectators can be permitted.

    Dress Code

    Wear comfortable shoes, as you may be standing for extended periods of time.

    Other Info

    Don't eat anything with a particularly strong taste (including spicy food) before your experience, as this can affect your taste buds.

  • Reviews

    Memorable And Enjoyable Afternoon

    * * * * *
    Jenny S, 14 Jan 2012
    Tea Tasting for Two

    Very enjoyable afternoon in which we learnt a lot. Alex is extremely knowledgeable and shares his knowledge in a lively and engaging way. There was a lot to get through in the time and it might have benefitted from being an hour longer.

    Fantastic Day, Both Informative And Fun.

    * * * * *
    Emma J, 01 Oct 2011
    Tea Tasting for Two

    I never knew there was so much I didn't know about tea! The venue was magnificent, the whole experience was fabulous. It was the right pace, relaxed, questions answered and lots of teas to taste and smell. Would love to do it again.

    Great Afternoon

    * * * * *
    Steph G, 10 Sep 2011
    Tea Tasting for Two

    It is a joy to be in the company of an expert who can convey his love of tea and his knowledge with such an easy style!! Thank you.

    A Very Interesting And Enjoyable Day.

    * * * * *
    Kirsty H, 04 Jun 2011
    Tea Tasting for Two

    It was fascinating to learn about the history of tea, how it is produced and the subtle differences between black, green, white and red tea. As we got to taste 20 teas we were provided with information on each. Then with our new found knowledge we were given the opportunity to create our own blend of tea, of which we will be sent a bag within the week.

    Fantastic Tasting!

    * * * * *
    Anna G, 16 Mar 2011
    Tea Tasting for Two

    We tasted a range of teas from around the world including the well-known classics like Assam and Earl Grey, as well as the more unusual including a tea containing toasted rice and 'aged' tea. We tried herbal and fruit teas and were taught to taste like an expert tea taster! Alex had an encylopedic knowledge of tea and his enthusiasm was infectious! Having worked in tasting events, I've seen a lot of presentations and I can genuinley say this was one of the best I've been to. If you're into food and drink and want to come away feeling like you've learnt a lot and yet been well entertained, I'd really recommend this tasting. You even get to make your own blend of tea to be sent to your home at the end of the night!

    Fun And Interesting

    * * * * *
    James M, 16 Feb 2011
    Tea Tasting for Two

    Alex was very friendly and informative and we had the chance to sample about 20 different types of tea! The chance to make your own blend afterwards is a real bonus. Thanks very much.

    Left A Good Taste In The Mouth

    * * * * *
    John T, 04 Dec 2010
    Tea Tasting for Two

    We drink a lot of tea, so this was a very appropriate gift from our younger son. Alex Probyn has tremendous experience of the tea trade and blending and related well to the friendly group of around a dozen. Most of the time was spent tasting - in our view a good decision because background information about tea can be obtained from the web. 19 different teas and herbs (such as peppermint) were available for tasting, the final tea being an Indian Masala Chai - a delicious 'mulled tea' (with a taste similar to that of mulled wine) which was most appropriate for this pre-christmas gathering. The afternoon ended with our devising our own blend, with Alex making constructive suggestions as to whether it might be 'tweaked' in any way. We were told that this would be sent on by post. Alex also made some interesting and helpful comments about the brands of tea currently available on the high street that might interest us most. All in all a most informative and enjoyable session.

    Just My Cup Of Tea

    * * * * *
    Joanne F, 06 Nov 2010
    Tea Tasting for Two

    Great day out. Very interesting and looking forward to getting my own personalised tea.

    Teatastic Day!

    * * * * *
    Sandra G, 02 Oct 2010
    Tea Tasting for Two

    We had a great time on the day, learnt alot about tea in an informal relaxed way and tasted numerous teas, also the tea blend that arrived in the post the following week was a brilliant reminder of a great day, many thanks.

    'Tea Tastic'

    * * * * *
    Patricia D, 02 Oct 2010
    Tea Tasting for Two

    Three to Four hours of pure interest and fun deliver by an absolute Master - Alex has an obvious passion for all things Tea. So much so that tea bags just won't do anymore!

    Fantastic Experience, Learned So Much

    * * * * *
    James F, 11 Sep 2010
    Tea Tasting for Two

    An excellent day with a brilliant host. I'd not given much thought to what made different kinds of tea different until now. This experience will broaden my appetite for my favourite drink by a long way.

    Very Interesting And Informative

    * * * * *
    Avon G, 14 Jul 2010
    Tea Tasting for Two

    The presenter, Alex, was entertaining as well as very knowledgeable. I shall never look at a cup of tea in the same way again.

    Very Good

    * * * * *
    Andrew B, 05 Jun 2010
    Tea Tasting for Two

    Very well run and presented, really interesting. Would recommend if you like your tea!

    Informative, Eye Opening And Enormous Fun

    * * * * *
    Steve P, 13 Jan 2010
    Tea Tasting for Two

    I bought the experience as part of my wife's 50th birthday celebration (us being huge tea drinkers). We learnt about and tasted so many teas that we never would have tried otherwise, finding several that we have subsequently bought. Alex was tremendously knowledgeable and delivered the information with an easy, informal, amusing style. We met some great people there and discovered a fantastic tea shop at the same time. I thoroughly recommend this experience to all.

    Great For All Tea Lovers!!!

    * * * * *
    Timothy H, 13 Jan 2010
    Tea Tasting for Two

    The tour lasted about 3 hours and we got to try about 20 different types of tea so it was really good value! You also get to blend your very own tea which was great fun. Alex (the guide), was very knowledgeable, but also helped create a relaxed and informal atmosphere with everyone in the group getting on really well. Also covered all areas of the history and methods of making tea, etc. which was very interesting, but not too in-depth (with the main emphasis of the evening being the tasting!). Would recommend it to anyone who likes tea, and makes a great gift idea. I now can't wait to taste my own blend!!

    Exceeded Expectations!

    * * * * *
    Claire C, 05 Dec 2009
    Tea Tasting for Two

    The tea tasting experience was a birthday present for my boyfriend from friends. We are both tea lovers, but have not really had the chance to try a wide variety of different types of tea. We are both fairly adventurous and would try different teas if given the opportunity, so this seemed like a good place to start. We were not really sure what to expect from the experience, but we were both very pleased and would definitely recommend it. The history of the tea and how different types of tea are made was an interesting insight for both of us. The tea tasting session was also very enjoyable as it gave us ideas about what we may or may not order in future. The opportunity to blend you own tea was an enjoyable end to the whole afternoon as it makes you feel involved and you get to take away something from the experience.

    Very Interesting And Something Different

    * * * * *
    Peter D, 04 Jul 2009
    Tea Tasting for Two

    It was very different from anything we have done before. Having drunk tea from childhood, a lot of popular beliefs were confined to history. It was very interesting listening to the information about the different regions/areas.

    A Very Enjoyable And Informative Experience

    * * * * *
    Carole B, 04 Jul 2009
    Tea Tasting for Two

    Alex is a very knowledgeable and enthusiastic Master Tea Blender who successfully conveys this to his audience. He makes the whole experience pleasurable. The venue also added to the pleasant atmosphere.

    Tea Takes On A New Taste Dimension

    * * * * *
    Andrew E, 02 May 2009
    Tea Tasting for Two

    The ability of Alex to relate to his public is shown by the absorption of tasting 18 different teas. Time flew, yet we felt that he had shared his knowledge and experience with us in a very genial way. We look forward to receiving and sampling the special blends he helped us to put together.

    Totally Tea Tastic!

    * * * * *
    Karen F, 16 Aug 2008
    Tea Tasting for Two

    What a great 40th birthday present. Alex's knowledge and enthusiasm meant the afternoon flew by. The background to each tea we tasted was fascinating and will definitely help us improve our tea drinking experience. The opportunity to create a personal blend from the teas on offer was great. My husband came with me and I was amazed that he chose to blend green teas rather than black teas - perhaps he'll no longer scorn my "strange blends" in the cupboard! Perhaps I'll have to now hide them so he doesn't drink them all! It must have been the temperature of the water which made the difference. Well, now we know!

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