What to buy for a tea tasting

A tea tasting needs more than a selection of teas and a kettle. You will need enough cups, hot water equipment, tasting materials, serving dishes, and water for guests to compare each tea comfortably. Plan the quantities around your guest count, then add a small buffer for spills, refills, and damaged items. This checklist also covers the supplies people often remember too late, including strainers, scales, timers, dietary-friendly snacks, and waste bins.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 50
Buffet tablesqty 2

Tableware

Teacupsqty 55
Platesqty 55
Teaspoonsqty 60
Dessert platesqty 55
Water glassesqty 55
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 8

Equipment

Kettlesqty 4
Hot water urnqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 8
Kitchen scalesqty 2
Kitchen timersqty 4
Extension cordsqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 4
Tea strainersqty 8
Tea tongsqty 4
Water jugsqty 6
Coolersqty 2

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Menu standsqty 8
Teapot decorationqty 6
Name card holdersqty 50

Lighting

Atmosphere lightsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Cleaning bucketsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Loose Earl Grey tea - 250 grams
- English Blend Loose Tea - 250 grams
- Green tea - 250 grams
- Jasmine tea - 200 grams
- White tea - 150 grams
- Oolong tea - 150 grams
- Rooibos tea - 250 grams
- Chamomile tea - 150 grams
- Peppermint tea - 150 gram
- Chai tea - 200 gram
- Brown sugar - 1 kilo
- White sugar - 1 kilo
- Honey - 2 jars
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Lemons - 20 pieces
- Fresh mint - 6 bunches
- Ginger - 500 grams
- Cinnamon sticks - 2 bags
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Butter cookies - 6 packs
- Shortbread - 6 packs
- Dark chocolate - 1 kilo
- Milk chocolate - 1 kilo
- Mini muffins - 60 pieces
- Mini Scones - 60 pieces
- Cream cheese - 3 tubs
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Bananas - 20 pieces
- Mixed nuts - 1 kilo
- Napkins - 100 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 4 pairs

Tips

Plan one tasting cup per participant for each tea, or use one cup per person with a rinse between samples. For a group of 12 tasting four teas, 12 cups plus spare cups is the safer option.
Buy or prepare at least 500 ml of drinking water per guest, separate from the water needed to brew the teas. Water helps guests reset their palate and prevents the tasting from becoming too heavy.
Measure tea by weight rather than by guesswork. A kitchen scale, timers, measuring cups, and tea strainers keep four or more samples consistent, especially when different teas need different steeping times.
Allow two to three snack portions per guest and include fruit or other options that match the dietary requirements you collected. Cut fruit shortly before serving and keep chilled snacks cold until guests arrive.
Prepare tasting cards, menu stands, name card holders, and an information board at least one day ahead. Check kettles, the hot water urn, thermos flasks, extension cords, and waste bins before shopping is finished.

Frequently asked questions

How much tea do I need for a tea tasting?: Allow about 3 grams of loose-leaf tea per person per tasting round, unless the tea instructions specify otherwise. For 12 guests tasting four teas, that is roughly 144 grams, plus 10–15% extra for spills and repeat brews.
How many cups do I need for a tea tasting?: Provide one tasting cup per guest for each tea if you want to compare samples side by side. For 12 guests and four teas, prepare 48 cups, or use 12 cups with a rinse system between rounds.
How much hot water is needed for a tea tasting?: Plan around 200 ml of brewed tea per guest per tasting round, then add extra water for brewing losses and refills. For 12 guests tasting four teas, prepare at least 10 litres of hot water.
What should I buy for tea tasting snacks?: Plan two to three small snack portions per guest, with fruit and other options suited to the dietary requirements on your participant list. Buy chilled or cut fruit no more than 24 hours before the tasting.

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