Green Tea Sommelier
Green Tea Sommelier · Specialist certification pathway
Become a Green Tea Sommelier.
Learn to understand green tea from leaf to cup — cultivar, terroir, processing, brewing, sensory evaluation and professional service.
Led by Shane, Certified Tea Sommelier · Green tea educator · KTeaShop Zurich
Apply for the next cohort →Explore the curriculumGreen tea is not one taste.
Two green teas can begin with the same species and taste completely different. Cultivar, harvest season, shading, terroir, fixation, rolling, drying and brewing all change what reaches the cup.
This course teaches you to stop memorising labels and start reading the tea itself — how it was made, why it tastes the way it does, and whether it is well made.
From knowledge to judgement
Know what happened to the leaf. Taste the evidence in the cup.
A Green Tea Sommelier should be able to explain origin and process, control extraction, identify quality, communicate flavour clearly and serve the tea with confidence.
What you learn
A specialist curriculum built around the science, craft and sensory language of green tea.
Leaf, cultivar & harvest
Camellia sinensis, cultivar differences, plucking standards, harvest timing and how raw material shapes flavour before processing begins.
Green tea processing
Fixation, rolling, shaping and drying — including the sensory differences created by Korean pan-firing, Japanese steaming and Chinese pan-firing traditions.
Terroir & origin
How climate, soil, altitude, season and regional practice influence green tea across Korea, Japan and China.
Brewing & extraction
Water, mineral content, temperature, leaf-to-water ratio, time and multiple infusions — so you can reproduce a balanced cup intentionally.
Sensory evaluation
Evaluate aroma, sweetness, umami, bitterness, astringency, body, finish and defects using a structured tasting method rather than personal preference alone.
Matcha & professional service
Understand powdered green tea, whisking and quality cues, then apply your knowledge to guest communication, menu design, pairing and hospitality service.
How it works
A focused path from foundational knowledge to practical green tea assessment.
Apply
Tell us about your background and what you want to do with green tea.
Confirm your cohort
Receive the current dates, format and tuition before you enrol.
Learn
Build the technical foundation: leaf, terroir, processing and extraction.
Taste & practise
Compare origins and processing styles through guided brewing and sensory evaluation.
Assessment & certificate
Complete the required training and assessment to earn the KTeaShop Green Tea Sommelier certificate.
A specialty you can actually use
The goal is not to collect tea facts. It is to develop repeatable professional judgement — in sourcing, brewing, tasting, explaining and serving green tea.
“Good green tea is not defined by the word premium. You should be able to explain what happened to the leaf, brew it correctly, taste its structure and judge its quality.”
— Shane, Founder & Certified Tea Sommelier · KTeaShop Zurich
Before you enrol
The essential questions about the Green Tea Sommelier pathway.
Do I need previous tea experience?
No. The curriculum starts with the green tea foundation and builds toward professional sensory evaluation. F&B professionals and experienced tea drinkers will also benefit from the structured method.
Is this only about Korean green tea?
No. KTeaShop is rooted in Korean tea, but the course uses Korea, Japan and China comparatively so you can understand how terroir and processing create different green tea styles.
Is matcha included?
Yes. Matcha is studied as an important form of powdered green tea, including quality cues, preparation and professional service. The course goes far beyond matcha alone.
Online or in Zurich?
The core sensory and practical training is designed around guided tasting in Zurich. Online theory or supporting study materials may be offered depending on the cohort.
How long does it take, and what does it cost?
Dates, course format and tuition are released by cohort. Apply below and we will send the current schedule and fee before you commit.
What certification do I receive?
Students who complete the required training and pass the course assessment receive the KTeaShop Green Tea Sommelier certificate.
Apply for Green Tea Sommelier
Tell us a little about you. We will reply with the next cohort, format, tuition and enrolment steps.
Prefer email? Write to academy@kteashop.com