Best of · TEA TASTINGS

The 15 Best Tea Tastings

21 tea experiences  ·  from $13 a head

Same water, same three minutes, five very different cups. The 15 tastings below are priced by how many leaves you get through, with a note on which come with a factory tour attached.

Private Tea Ceremony and Sake Tasting in Kyoto Samurai House - Sitting in the traditional tea room
Drinking Tours, Food & Drink, Japan Tea Experiences, Kyoto Tea Experiences, Private, Sake Tasting, Tea Ceremony Experiences, Tea Experiences, Tea Tastings, Tour Reviews

Private Tea Ceremony and Sake Tasting in Kyoto Samurai House

1.Private Tea Ceremony and Sake Tasting in Kyoto Samurai House

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 163 reviews · from $99Our pick

Spend about 50 minutes in a private 300-year-old samurai house near Kyoto Station. A tea master introduces you to Uji matcha, then you choose hands-on whisking, five sake tastes, or two Japanese whisky tastes. Photos in kimono or samurai dress add a memorable finish.

“This was the highlight of our entire trip. I highly recommend this for couples. Family was very welcoming and warm. Very traditional, and worth every penny!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Twinings 2-Hour Tea Tasting Masterclass in London - What the Twinings setting adds
2-Hour Experiences, Food & Drink, London Tea Experiences, Tea Experiences, Tea Tastings, Tour Reviews, UK Tea Experiences

Twinings 2-Hour Tea Tasting Masterclass in London

2.Twinings 2-Hour Tea Tasting Masterclass in London

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 105 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $69

At Twinings on Strand, tea experts such as Alessandra, Liam, Rachel, Rosie, and Angelo guide you through tea history, production, and tasting. You sample white, yellow, green, oolong, black, and pu’erh teas, then learn how professionals judge aroma, flavor, mouthfeel, and finish.

“Lovely time learning about teas and history. Great group and the young man explaining the history of tea making was fantastic”

Check availability →Read our full review

Charleston: Wadmalaw Island Wine Tasting and Tea Garden Trip - Tea Bushes and the Charleston Tea Garden Trolley
Food & Drink, Tea Experiences, Tea Plantation Tours, Tea Tastings, Tour Reviews, USA Tea Experiences, Wine Tours

Charleston: Wadmalaw Island Wine Tasting and Tea Garden Trip

3.Wadmalaw Island Wine Tasting and Tea Garden Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 94 reviews · 5h 30m · from $149

Spend 5.5 hours with Snap! Picture Perfect Tours visiting Angel Oak, Charleston Tea Garden, and Deep Water Vineyard. Ride a plantation trolley, sample fresh tea and local wine, and travel in a Mercedes Sprinter with a guide such as Leanne or Jay. Lunch is not included.

“The guide is very friendly and knowledgeable. The trip became personal because of that. She knows the area and answers all our questions. There is no downside, we enjoyed it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Tea Tasting and Pairing Concept Workshop - Learning the gongfu method with Vivian
China Tea Experiences, Food & Drink, Tea Experiences, Tea Tastings, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Tea Tasting and Pairing Concept Workshop

4.Tea Tasting and Pairing Concept Workshop

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · from $65

At MingCha Tea House in Chai Wan, tea master Vivian guides you through four premium Chinese teas, including green, red, scented green, and oolong. You will brew tea in the gongfu style, test tea leaves with your senses, and pair each cup with dried nuts, chocolate, and flower honey toast.

“This was a fun and engaging workshop where we not only tasted tea, but got to learn about the different types of teas, did some before and after experimentation with tea leaves, learned how to seep and pour tea properly and got to samplRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

Munnar: Tea trail, Tea Factory, and Tea Tasting Tour - Walking the tea terraces for one to two hours
Food & Drink, India Tea Experiences, Munnar Tea Experiences, Tea Experiences, Tea Factory Tours, Tea Tastings, Tour Reviews, Tours

Munnar: Tea trail, Tea Factory, and Tea Tasting Tour

5.Tea trail, Tea Factory, and Tea Tasting Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 47 reviews · 3 hours · from $13Best value

Walk through Munnar’s tea terraces with guides such as Mari or Raja, learn how leaves are grown and processed, then visit Lockhart Tea Factory, founded in 1936. The three-hour experience ends with a tasting of black, green, and specialty teas. Bring water, sunscreen, and shoes for uneven ground.

“Wonderful experience. Mari is so engaging and knowledgeable about tea growing, cultivating, harvesting and processing. It was very informative. We spent about an hour walking through the plantation. Then they arranged tuk tuks from the plantation to the factory for everyone. We walked through all the tea processing rooms. At the end we sampled 5-6 teas. Then we could purchase tea from the factory store. No pressure to purchase, but most did. The prices seemed pretty good.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Biking Real Shanghai& Tea Tasting Experience - Meeting outside the Garden Hotel
China Tea Experiences, Cycling Tours, Food & Drink, Shanghai Tea Experiences, Tea Experiences, Tea Tastings, Tour Reviews

Biking Real Shanghai& Tea Tasting Experience

6.Biking Real Shanghai& Tea Tasting Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 45 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $88

Ride through Shanghai with a guide such as Ellen or Helen, using quiet lanes, Old Town alleys, the Former French Concession, and Fuxing Park to see daily life up close. The 3.5-hour small-group tour includes a bike, helmet, photos, bottled water, and a traditional tea tasting.

“The Best Way to See Shanghai—and the Tea Tasting Was a Perfect Bonus! This bike tour was one of the most incredible experiences during my time in Shanghai! It’s truly the best way to explore the city. Our guides were not only knowledgeable but also passionate storytellers, taking us through historic landmarks, hidden alleyways, and vibrant side streets—giving us an authentic feel for Shanghai’s heart and soul. And the tea-tasting experience? A delightful surprise! I HIGHLY recommend this tour to anyone visiting Shanghai. Don’t miss the chance to ride with them—it’s an adventure you won’t forget!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Matcha Experience with of Japanese Tea Tasting in Tokyo - What happens during the 90-minute tasting
Food & Drink, Japan Tea Experiences, Matcha Experiences, Tea Experiences, Tea Tastings, Tokyo Tea Experiences, Tour Reviews

Matcha Experience with of Japanese Tea Tasting in Tokyo

7.Matcha Experience with of Japanese Tea Tasting in Tokyo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · from $57

Join Chisei, a former Kyoto tea farmer, and Rina for a 90-minute Tokyo tea class. Compare sencha, gyokuro, hojicha, genmaicha, Japanese black tea, matcha, and lattes, then whisk your own matcha and enjoy homemade sweets.

“Absolutely, wonderful experience. We throughly enjoyed watching and making our own Matcha. It was something we’ve always wanted to do and we’re glad we did. This is will definitely something you will remember and will want to tell your family & friends about.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Istanbul: World Teas & Turkish Tea Brewing, Tasting Workshop - Finding the atelier between Galataport and Galata Tower
Breweries, Food & Drink, Istanbul Tea Experiences, Tea Experiences, Tea Tastings, Tour Reviews, Turkey Tea Experiences, Turkish Tea Experiences, Workshops

Istanbul: World Teas & Turkish Tea Brewing, Tasting Workshop

8.World Teas & Turkish Tea Brewing, Tasting Workshop

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 29 reviews · 1h 30m · from $33

In a bright atelier between Galataport and Galata Tower, an English or Turkish-speaking instructor guides you through five teas, Turkish double-teapot brewing, Chinese gaiwan technique, thin-waisted glasses, snacks, and a take-home custom blend. Guides may include Zeynep, Kamran, Abdullah, or others.

“This was a really fun activity for my partner and I. We learnt lots of interesting things and really enjoyed all the tea. Zeynap was really great, she knew lots and has such a fun energy. Would definitely recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Nara:5 Type of Tea Tasting & Mindful Tea Ceremony - Five teas, five different ways to understand Japan
Food & Drink, Japan Tea Experiences, Nara Tea Experiences, Tea Ceremony Experiences, Tea Experiences, Tea Tastings, Tour Reviews

Nara:5 Type of Tea Tasting & Mindful Tea Ceremony

9.5 Type of Tea Tasting & Mindful Tea Ceremony

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews · 1h 30m · from $61

In Nara, host Mike welcomes a private group into a traditional wooden house for five local teas, seasonal wagashi, and a calm matcha lesson. You will learn tea etiquette, brew your favorite tea in a pot, and whisk matcha with personal guidance in English.

“The entire atmosphere was so calm, dignified and friendly. We also learned ftom one of the hosts about his particular craft, the making of the bamboo tea whisks used to mix tje matcha tea. The tea was delicioys, too )and normally I am more of a coffee drinker!).”

Check availability →Read our full review

Montmartre Hill French Afternoon Tea Tasting Tour with Crepes and Macarons - Starting at Place Blanche and the Moulin Rouge
Afternoon Tea Experiences, Food & Drink, France Tea Experiences, Paris Tea Experiences, Tea Experiences, Tea Tastings, Tour Reviews, Tours

Montmartre Hill French Afternoon Tea Tasting Tour with Crepes and Macarons

10.Montmartre Hill French Afternoon Tea Tasting Tour with Crepes and Macarons

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 27 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $114

Meet at Place Blanche at 2:30 pm and walk uphill through Montmartre with a guide such as Arthur, Catherine, or Fabian. Expect crepes, macarons, chocolate, pastries, drinks, local stories, Moulin Rouge, Place du Tertre, and Sacré-Cœur, with a group capped at 15.

“This tour was phenomenal because of the tour guides knowledge but also her adding a few spots of historical interests. She also answered all of our questions along the way. If you are worried about the climb to Montmartre, there are alternative routes to get there. The shops and food we sampled along the way were incredible to say the least. Watching the crepes being made in front of you and eating them fresh was great. My family absolutely enjoyed them and bought a few for ourselves. I would recommend this tour to everyone.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Munnar Tea Trail Tour , Tea factory visit & Tea Tasting - Meeting Tea Pluckers Along the Route
Food & Drink, India Tea Experiences, Munnar Tea Experiences, Tea Experiences, Tea Factory Tours, Tea Tastings, Tour Reviews, Tours

Munnar Tea Trail Tour , Tea factory visit & Tea Tasting

11.Munnar Tea Trail Tour , Tea factory visit & Tea Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews · from $14

Meet near Munnar’s KSRTC bus stand for a guided walk through Lockhart Tea Estate, with views toward Chokramudi Peak and Idli Hills. You’ll see tea pluckers at work, visit a 1936 factory, learn how orthodox tea is made, and join a tea-tasting session.

“Our guide was fantastic, not only did he have very good knowledge of the tea plantations but also everything else in this area, pointing out interesting plants, birds and rivers. He looked after us extremely well. After the tour we were waiting for our driver to collect us, we hRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

Nara:Tea Tasting&Private Tea Ceremony -Master Matcha Making- - Choosing one tea for a proper pot-brewed serving
Food & Drink, Japan Tea Experiences, Matcha Experiences, Nara Tea Experiences, Private, Tea Ceremony Experiences, Tea Experiences, Tea Making Classes, Tea Tastings, Tour Reviews

Nara:Tea Tasting&Private Tea Ceremony -Master Matcha Making-

12.Tea Tasting&Private Tea Ceremony -Master Matcha Making-

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · from $63

Meet Mike at Guesthouse Naramachi in Nara for a private 90-minute tea session. Taste five local teas, compare cold and hot brewing, choose a favorite for a pot-brewed serving, then make matcha with one-on-one guidance and enjoy seasonal wagashi.

“My boyfriend and I are from LA and we attended this event on a very cold day in Nara and it was just what we needed! We were able to sample so many teas and the snacks were great too! The hosts were incredibly funny and so accommodating which was so nice.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Shanghai 3-Hour Afternoon Tea Tasting and Dessert Tour - The Tea Ceremony Is the Quiet Center
3-Hour Experiences, Afternoon Tea Experiences, China Tea Experiences, Dessert Tours, Food & Drink, Shanghai Tea Experiences, Tea Experiences, Tea Tastings, Tour Reviews, Tours

Shanghai 3-Hour Afternoon Tea Tasting and Dessert Tour

13.Shanghai 3-Hour Afternoon Tea Tasting and Dessert Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 15 reviews · 3 hours · from $77

Meet your English, Chinese, or Korean-speaking guide at South Huangpi Road Station at 2 PM. Walk Huaihai Road, sample mooncakes at two pastry shops, join a tea ceremony with Hangzhou green tea and Fujian black tea, then try Cantonese icy desserts.

“This tasting tour was just what I was looking for - something different from traditional trips to touristy sites. Especially because I had a 14-year old son with me. We had a chance to visit some places which we would never have visited or even found alone and we tried some food which we wouldn't have tried without our guide. Jim planned the excusion really well. We tasted some local yogurt, dessert with watermelon, Macha ice cream, bubble tea, mango dessert, biscuits, lots of different fruit. And to top it all up, we had a proper tea tasting ceremony in an authentic place (after that we had another 2 tea…”

Check availability →Read our full review

China Tea Experiences, City Tours, Food & Drink, Lunch Experiences, Private, Shanghai Tea Experiences, Tea Experiences, Tea Tastings, Tour Reviews, Tours

Private Shanghai City and Zhujiajiao Combo Tour with Boating, Tea Tasting, Lunch

14.Private Shanghai City and Zhujiajiao Combo Tour with Boating, Tea Tasting, Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · from $228

You’ll spend about eight hours with a private English-speaking guide and driver, visiting Zhujiajiao, riding a traditional boat, tasting tea, eating local lunch, and seeing Nanshi, Yuyuan Old Street, and Tianzifang. Guide Ella and coordinator Jenny have been connected with the experience.

“I was in Shanghai for Mid-Autumn. Jenny warned me that traffic in and out of town will be heavier than usual. In discussion, she made it possible to start the tour a little earlier to minimize the time on the road.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Half day Gorreana - Pedestrian Walk and Tea Tasting (Min. 2 persons) - From Ponta Delgada to the north coast
Food & Drink, Ponta Delgada Tea Experiences, Portugal Tea Experiences, Tea Experiences, Tea Tastings, Tour Reviews, Walking Tours

Half day Gorreana – Pedestrian Walk and Tea Tasting (Min. 2 persons)

15.Half day Gorreana – Pedestrian Walk and Tea Tasting (Min. 2 persons)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $66

Travel from Ponta Delgada to Gorreana for a 3.4-kilometer plantation walk, a factory visit, and tea tasting with traditional biscuits. Guides such as Miguel, André, Vasco, and Manuel are praised for explaining São Miguel’s history, plants, and tea production. Expect some steep walking and a simple tasting.

“My guide Manuel was great. Nice challenging hike up plantation. I enjoyed tasting 3 delicious teas with cookie. He was very informative. He even gave me quick car tour of historical center and even recommended wonderful local places for lunch. I highly recommend this excursion.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Keep browsing

Food & Drink31Wine Tours7Museums5Walking Tours17
Scroll to Top

Pick a kind of tea day

A ceremony, a garden, a tasting bench or a tiered stand.

The ceremony

Tea CeremoniesIn KimonoMaking ClassesBrush & BowlSweets & Tea

The gardens

Plantation DaysFactory FloorsTastingsFarm Visits

Afternoon tea

Afternoon TeaBus TeasBoat TeasCakes & Sweets

And the rest

MatchaTurkish TeaBubble TeaCoffee