What to buy for an anniversary tea tasting

An anniversary tea tasting needs more than tea and teacups. You will need a clear way to serve several teas in order, keep water hot, let guests compare what they taste, and provide small snacks without interrupting the tasting. Use this list alongside your guest count and dietary requirements. Buy per person where possible, then add spares for breakage, refills, and guests who stay for the full programme.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 45
Buffet tablesqty 2
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Teacupsqty 50
Platesqty 50
Teaspoonsqty 50
Dessert platesqty 50
Pastry forksqty 50
Teapotsqty 10
Glassesqty 50
Water jugsqty 6
Serving traysqty 6
Serving plattersqty 10

Kitchen

Tea strainersqty 20
Kitchen tongsqty 6
Measuring jugsqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knifeqty 2
Kitchen scalesqty 8

Equipment

Kettlesqty 4
Hot water urnsqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Tea scalesqty 4
Kitchen timersqty 6
Coolersqty 2

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 6
Napkin holdersqty 6
Flower arrangementsqty 6
Tea label tagsqty 20
Name badgesqty 50

Lighting

Table lampsqty 6
String lightsqty 3

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Washing-up tubsqty 3
Cleaning bucketsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Assam black tea - 250 grams
- Earl Grey tea - 250 grams
- Darjeeling tea - 200 grams
- Jasmine tea - 200 grams
- Green sencha - 200 grams
- Oolong tea - 200 grams
- Rooibos tea - 200 gram
- Chamomile tea - 150 grams
- Fresh mint - 10 bunches
- Fresh ginger - 500 gram
- Lemons - 20 pieces
- Limes - 12 pieces
- Honey - 3 jars
- Granulated sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Coffee beans - 1 kilogram
- Still water - 24 bottles
- Sparkling water - 24 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Grape juice - 6 liters
- Lemonade - 6 liters
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Unsalted butter - 750 grams
- Strawberry jam - 3 jars
- Apricot jam - 2 jars
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Radishes - 6 bunches
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White bread - 6 loaves
- Gluten-free bread - 2 loaves
- Mini quiches - 60 pieces
- Mini sandwiches - 80 pieces
- Scones - 60 pieces
- Clotted cream - 2 kilogram
- Butter cookies - 3 kilograms
- Chocolate truffles - 2 kilograms
- Lemon cake - 4 pieces
- Apple pie - 3 pieces
- Vegan cake - 2 pieces
- Gluten-free cake - 1 piece
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Strawberries - 2 kilograms
- Blueberries - 1 kilogram
- Nut mix - 1 kilogram
- Napkins - 100 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 10 pieces

Tips

Plan at least one tasting cup per guest for each tea, or provide a clean cup at every station if guests will taste several teas side by side. Add 10% extra cups, teaspoons, and dessert plates for breakage and replacements.
Allow roughly 250–300 ml of hot water per guest for a short tasting, plus extra water for rinsing and refilling. Prepare at least one kettle or hot-water urn for each active tea station so guests are not waiting between pours.
Buy 2–3 small snack portions per guest rather than one large serving. Include separate serving platters, tongs, and cutting boards for snacks with different dietary requirements.
Prepare one tea label tag and one proof sheet per tea, then print 10% extra. Labels should show the tea name, tasting order, and any brewing details guests need at the table.
Keep chilled drinks in coolers and serve them in glasses separate from the tasting cups. For a two-hour event, allow 2–3 non-tea drinks per guest in addition to the tasting water.

Frequently asked questions

How much tea do I need for an anniversary tea tasting?: Allow about 3–5 g of loose-leaf tea per guest for each tea, depending on the tea style and number of pours. For 20 guests tasting 4 teas, start with roughly 240–400 g in total and keep a small reserve for refills.
How many teacups and teaspoons do I need per guest?: Use one cup and teaspoon per guest for each tasting round, or provide one clean set per tea station. For 20 guests, prepare at least 22 cups and teaspoons for a single-use setup, or 20 sets per station if cups will be washed between rounds.
How much hot water should I prepare for a tea tasting?: Plan 250–300 ml per guest for the tasting, then add 20% for rinsing, spills, and refills. For 20 guests, that means approximately 6–7.2 litres of hot water, held in kettles, urns, or thermos flasks.
When should I buy and prepare the tasting supplies?: Buy tea, labels, tableware, and shelf-stable snacks 3–5 days before the event. Chill drinks the day before, and check kettles, hot-water urns, scales, timers, and serving equipment at least 24 hours before guests arrive.

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