Tea Tasting Shopping List

A tea tasting needs more than a selection of teas and hot water. You will need separate cups or tasting vessels, cards for notes, scales for consistent portions, serving equipment, and enough plain water to reset the palate. Plan the tasting order before you shop, because each tea may need a different brewing time or temperature. This list also covers the items people often remember too late, such as strainers, timers, name badges, milk, sugar, and plates for pastries.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 45
Tableclothqty 6
Serving buffetqty 2

Tableware

Teacupsqty 50
Small platesqty 50
Teaspoonsqty 50
Water glassesqty 50
Cake platesqty 50
Serving traysqty 6
Serving plattersqty 8
Tea tongsqty 4

Equipment

Kettlesqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6
Teapotsqty 8
Tea strainersqty 12
Kitchen scaleqty 2
Kitchen timersqty 4
Extension cordsqty 4

Catering

Tasting cardsqty 50
Clipboardsqty 6
Name badgesqty 50
Menusqty 6
Tea containersqty 12
Milk jugsqty 6
Sugar bowlsqty 6
Water jugsqty 6
Groceries
- Black tea - 500 gram
- Green tea - 500 gram
- White tea - 250 gram
- Oolong tea - 250 grams
- Earl Grey - 250 gram
- Jasmine tea - 250 grams
- Rooibos tea - 250 grams
- Mint tea - 250 grams
- Chamomile tea - 100 grams
- Fruit tea - 250 grams
- Chai tea - 250 grams
- Caffeine-free tea - 250 gram
- Still mineral water - 24 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Semi-skimmed milk - 4 liter
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Lemons - 20 pieces
- Limes - 12 pieces
- Fresh mint - 8 bunches
- Honey - 2 jars
- Granulated sugar - 2 packs
- Cinnamon sticks - 2 bags
- Ginger - 500 grams
- Butter - 500 grams
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Clotted cream - 1 liter
- Butter croissants - 50 pieces
- Scones - 50 pieces
- Butter cookies - 4 packs
- Chocolate cookies - 4 packs
- Gluten-free cookies - 3 packs
- Vegan cookies - 3 packs
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilograms
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Napkins - 100 pieces
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Hand soap - 2 dispensers
- Hand sanitizer - 2 bottles

Decorations

Flower arrangementsqty 6
Table numbersqty 6
Welcome sign

Lighting

Table lampsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Washing-up tubsqty 3
Drying racksqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 12
Waste sorting binsqty 2

Tips

Plan one tasting cup per guest for each tea, or provide one cup per person and rinse it thoroughly between samples. For a group of 10 tasting five teas, that means either 50 cups or 10 cups plus a reliable washing and rinsing setup.
Allow about 3 grams of loose-leaf tea per tasting portion and add 10–15% extra for weighing errors and spills. A kitchen scale is more consistent than measuring by spoon, especially when the leaves vary in size.
Provide at least 250 ml of drinking water per guest, plus extra water for brewing and rinsing strainers. Fill water jugs before guests arrive and keep a spare jug ready near the tasting stations.
Prepare one tasting card and one name badge per registered guest, with at least 10% extra copies. Put menus and table numbers out before setup so guests can find their seats without interrupting registration.
Buy snacks that do not overpower the tea, such as plain cookies or light pastries, and provide small plates and serving tongs. Check dietary requirements before shopping; waiting until the day itself can leave you without suitable alternatives.

Frequently asked questions

How much tea do I need for a tea tasting?: Use about 3 grams of loose-leaf tea per person per tea being tasted. For 12 guests tasting six teas, calculate 216 grams, then add 10–15% extra for spills and weighing differences.
How many cups do I need for a tea tasting?: For 12 guests tasting five teas, use 60 cups if each tea has its own cup. With 12 cups, you can reuse them only if you have enough time and equipment to rinse and dry them between every sample.
How much water should I buy for a tea tasting?: Allow at least 250 ml of drinking water per guest, plus brewing water for every tea. For 12 guests, start with 3 litres for drinking and add the volume needed to fill your kettles and teapots.
When should I buy supplies for a tea tasting?: Buy tea, tasting cards, tableware, and non-perishable serving supplies 3–5 days beforehand. Buy pastries and other fresh snacks no earlier than 1–2 days before the tasting, after dietary requirements are confirmed.

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