How does he do it? There are thousands of teas in the world which differ depending upon plant varietal, origin, climate, cultivation, picking, harvesting technique and processing methods. Tea taster Thomas Holz demonstrates his incredible skill again and again as he chooses from a flood of samples to find the perfect tea. He determines the quality and price by carefully analyzing the taste, fragrance, leaf condition and color in the cup against the classical characteristics of the tea’s land of origin. When watching him weigh, brew, pour, sip, enthuse, spit, smell, and scrutinize the many samples, it is no surprise that Thomas Holz’ finely tuned palate and ability to identify the highest quality teas is one of TeaGschwender’s biggest asset.
Tasting up to 250 teas per day and determining which ones are suitable to be added to the current assortment is only the beginning of his job. Not only does he have to be aware of what our customers are looking for in a tea, but he must also be experienced and skilled when negotiating and developing relationships with the growers and artisans in the various tea growing regions and cultures around the world.
Thomas acquired this valuable palate and experience over the course of his 25 year career in the tea business. The life of a Master Tea Taster involves years of daily tastings, exhaustive travel through the world of tea and participation in the international auctions and tea market. As with wine, a refined palate is cultivated daily over the course of many years.
Thomas Holz joined the TeaGschwendner team in 1994 with an already impressive 15 years dedicated to the art and science of tea. Today he is well known and respected in the international tea market by tea countries, tea growers and tea merchants alike. His induction as a member of the tea taster panel of the German tea union is a fitting tribute to his standing and reputation in the international tea
community.