Tea Tasting Shopping List

A tea tasting needs more than a selection of loose-leaf teas. You will need enough cups and tasting glasses for each guest, hot water equipment, labels, tasting cards and a simple way to handle used leaves and waste. Buy or gather tableware before the event, then check that every kettle, timer and extension cord works. This list also helps you separate dietary products and prepare water, milk and small bites without running short.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 32
Tableclothsqty 6
Serving buffet

Tableware

Teacupsqty 36
Small platesqty 36
Tea glassesqty 36
Water glassesqty 36
Teaspoonsqty 40
Pastry platesqty 36
Serving traysqty 6
Serving tongsqty 4

Equipment

Kettlesqty 3
Hot water kettle
Thermos flasksqty 4
Kitchen timersqty 3
Extension cordsqty 3

Kitchen

Measuring cupsqty 3
Tea filtersqty 6
Tea scoopsqty 4
Waste bowlsqty 4

Decorations

Tea labelsqty 24
Menusqty 6
Name badgesqty 36
Pensqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 2
Cleaning clothsqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Loose Earl Grey tea - 250 grams
- English Breakfast loose tea - 250 gram
- Green jasmine tea - 200 grams
- Sencha green tea - 200 grams
- Oolong tea - 200 gram
- Rooibos tea - 200 gram
- Chamomile tea - 100 grams
- Fresh mint tea - 8 bunches
- Tap water - 20 liters
- Sparkling water - 12 liter
- Whole milk - 4 liter
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Granulated sugar - 1 kilogram
- Honey - 2 jars
- Lemons - 20 pieces
- Fresh ginger - 500 gram
- Cinnamon sticks - 2 bags
- Cardamom pods - 1 bag
- Vanilla syrup - 1 bottle
- Butter - 500 grams
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Cream cheese - 500 grams
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- White sandwich bread - 4 loaves
- Wholemeal sandwich bread - 3 loaves
- Butter cookies - 6 packs
- Oatmeal cookies - 4 packs
- Lemon cake - 3 pieces
- Mini scones - 60 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Unsalted nuts - 1 kilogram
- Dried apricots - 500 grams
- Coffee - 1 pack
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- Dish sponges - 6 pieces
- Hand soap - 2 bottles

Tips

Plan at least one tasting cup or glass per guest for each station, plus a few extras for breakage and replacements. Add enough teaspoons, small plates and water glasses for the full group.
For each tea, prepare a label and tasting card before guests arrive. Include the tea name, tasting order and space for notes so people do not have to identify samples from memory.
Allow one kettle or reliable hot-water source per active tasting station, with a timer and measuring cup nearby. Test the extension cords and keep tea dry until brewing.
Prepare separate milk, water and dietary products before setting the table. Put them in clearly marked places so guests can serve themselves without mixing them with tasting samples.
Set out waste bowls, serving trays and tongs before the first pour. Keep cleaning cloths, buckets and waste bins accessible; used leaves and spills become difficult to manage once the tasting starts.

Frequently asked questions

How much tea do I need for a tea tasting?: Measure according to the instructions for each tea and prepare enough for every registered guest to taste each sample. Add roughly 10–15% extra tea and hot water for spills, refills and late additions.
How many cups do I need for a tea tasting?: Provide one cup or tasting glass per guest at each station, plus at least 10% extra. For 20 guests at one station, prepare 22 cups or glasses and matching teaspoons.
What equipment do I need for a tea tasting?: You need kettles or a hot water kettle, thermos flasks, kitchen timers, measuring cups, tea filters and tea scoops. Have at least one working hot-water source per station and test all equipment on the day before guests arrive.
When should I buy supplies for a tea tasting?: Check tableware, kettles and serving equipment 7 days before the tasting, then buy groceries and fresh dietary products 1–2 days beforehand. Prepare labels, menus, tasting cards and name badges at least 24 hours before the event.

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