Here’s a fun tip to share on an summer evening with friends.

Everyone’s been to a wine and cheese tasting party, some maybe an evening of wings and micro brews, but here’s something new, invite your best buds (and taste buds) over for a tea tasting party. Let your guests enjoy your favorite whites, blacks, greens, oolongs, Pu-erhs and Herbal Tisanes and make it your opportunity to expand your own horizons and try some of those special blends that you’ve always wanted to sample.

You can make it as formal or informal as you wish, whether its throw-a-way paper cups or your finest china is not important. The tasting and discussion is what gets this party going. Give everyone a small note pad and a pencil and have them record their thoughts on the quality, taste, etc. Have them give it a rating of 1 through 5 and then after you’ve all had a chance to taste everything, open things up for a lively discussion over some fresh fruit, cheese plates or a hearty meal. To really mix things up try them blindfolded on the second flush to test your tasting skills. The great thing about tea is that it goes with everything and this is your opportunity to share that tidbit with your inner circle.

At the end you may have a consensus that one particular tea is number one, but more than likely, what you’ll discover is that everyone’s taste buds are a little different and maybe, just maybe, you’ll find a new tea that just knocks you out and becomes your personal favorite.

When you put on your own Tea Tasting, let us know. Send us a recap of the teas and what your guests had to say about them. If you’ve got some digital photos send them along as well and we’ll post them on our blog.

Enjoy!