Tea Taster
Determines the quality of tea samples and highlights the differences between various types of tea.
Overview
A Tea Taster is a trained individual who is responsible for determining the quality of a particular sample of tea. Not only is a tea taster tasked with determining the quality of tea, but he/she is also responsible for highlighting the difference between various types of tea.
Where they work
- Tea companies
Work environment
It is not a desk job. You are likely to supervise a team of tea estate workers. Local travel is not a part of this job role. Part-time work and contractual jobs are likely to be available. Companies usually work for 6 to 7 days a week and 8 to 9 hours every day. This may vary from company to company.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You pay attention to details
- You are good at working independently
- You like putting things together or assembling things
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
Route 1
- 1Complete 10+2 in the Science stream (Physics, Chemistry, Biology).
- 2Complete a Bachelor's degree (BSc) in Botany/Horticulture/Agricultural Sciences/Food Sciences or other related fields.
Alternative route 2
- 1Complete a Bachelor's degree followed by a Master's degree (MSc) in the same or related field.
Alternative route 3
- 1Complete a Bachelor's degree followed by a certificate course on tea tasting.
Forms, exams and applications
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
Institutes offering courses in tea tasting. This list of institutes is indicative only.
Government institutes
- Birla Institute of Futuristic Studies, Kolkata, West Bengal
- Dipras Institute of Professional Studies, Kolkata, West Bengal
- Indian Institute of Plantation Management, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- University of North Bengal, Siliguri, Darjeeling, West Bengal
- NITM, Siliguri, Darjeeling, West Bengal
- Assam Agriculture University, Jorhat, Assam
- Ch. Sarwan Kumar Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya (CSKHPKV), Palampur, Himachal Pradesh
- Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Cooch Behar, West Bengal
- Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- Asian School of Tea, Kolkata, West Bengal
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Tea Processing Worker
- 2Tea Taster
- 3Plantation Manager
Expected income
₹22,300 – ₹2,00,000 per month
The figures are indicative and subject to change. The card's source is a Jobted page for the salary of a sommelier rather than for tea tasters, so treat the figures with caution.
SourceRelated careers to explore
Coffee Taster/Barista/Q Grader
Tastes coffee samples to evaluate the features of the product or to prepare blending formulas.
Sommelier
Trained wine professional at upscale restaurants who builds the wine list and looks after wine service for guests.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Science.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to analysing.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Snigdha Manchanda — India's first certified tea sommelier, tea taster and tea consultant. She founded her company Tea Trunk in 2013. Manchanda received her training from a professional tea school in Sri Lanka, where she studied under the guidance of Japanese tea master Nao Kumekawa. Following the Lankan experience she did a stint at The Speciality Tea Institute, New York, where she studied the art of blending. She also has a Bachelor's in Management Studies (BMS) in marketing, rural marketing, international business, organizational development and human resources from the University of Mumbai.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 2, printed page 1009 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://www.jobted.in/salary/sommelier
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
The card's salary source is a Jobted page for sommeliers rather than tea tasters, so the figures may not reflect tea-tasting pay specifically. The University of North Bengal and NITM entries print an extra, apparently duplicated 'Karnataka' after their West Bengal location; only the state actually matching the city (Siliguri, West Bengal) is shown. This card carries no note on opportunities for differently abled people, so none is shown.
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.