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CAREER QUERIES HOTLINE
Pervin Malhotra, Tribune's career expert answers all your career
queries.

Q How does one become a tea taster? Could you please tell me about the
courses I should take up and the essential qualities needed to
succeed?

Sanjeev Agarwalr

A: Most of the tea tasters in the tea industry are trained on the job
and do not require specific qualifications though most tea companies
employ graduates. A Tea Tasters Academy has been set up in Conoor in
the Nilgiris for training new entrants into this field.

As a tea taster, your senses must be highly sensitised to discern the
flavour and aroma of different teas in order to grade and evaluate
them. It is based on his judgement that different blends of tea are
classified and released in the market.

As a Tea taster it would also help to acquire marketing and managerial
skills.

You can apply for the job of a tea taster in any of the leading tea
companies or tea gardens.

Danny