Cooler and calmer!

In the Northern Hemisphere, we move towards cooler temperatures. Harvest season has begun! The expansive summer season is coming to an end, which means lower temperatures and calmer energies. It is a time when we reconnect more strongly to the Earth. This season invites us to enjoy other teas than the green ones, which are best for us in the hot summer weather.

A lovely Darjeeling, second flush, produced by small farmers. This is a light and very flavourful, full-bodied black tea, with a beautiful orange hue. From Tea Gardenia.

So which teas are good in early fall?

• Light, high grown black teas, like the one above from Darjeeling, India.

• Medium oxidized, medium roasted, oolong teas.

• Aged sheng pu-erh teas, or similar teas from other countries, like Vietnam.

Whole leaf teas, harvested and processed with skill and care, where the leaves are loaded with a wide range of nuances, from light yellow to different shades of reddish brown, often pleases us with wonderful, deep, and complex flavours.

Why are these types of teas good for this season?

These teas reflect the in-between season we are in now. They are complex with several flavour aspects combined to create an interesting whole. We find both traits of a black tea (fire element) from the oxidation and roasting (in the sheng pu-erh teas a little oxidation occurs during the aging. Make sure that the tea you choose is well aged, so that the flavours have mellowed and the earthy qualities have developed), which helps our circulation and generates some heat. But at the same time, we find similarities with a wood season / green tea, expressed through lots of fresh fruit, herbaceous, and flowery traits that balance the heat and create depth and freshness.

Exploring premium teas, gain a foundation for your tea career and an international network!

When you start to taste and explore lots of different quality teas, a whole world of interesting impressions comes into your awareness, and you understand that a cup of fine tea is no simple matter at all! The interesting world of fine teas offers something for every palate, time of day, season, mood, and purpose. Life is too short to spend time and energy on low-quality teas! Join me for the next Tea Sommelier Course and learn how to evaluate and source teas that stand out!

Consonance Sheng Pu-erh, tea cake 400 g. This tea was produced in 2005. Here you can read more about this fine sheng pu-erh!

ITA and Tea.master.s Tea Sommelier Diploma Course!

Would you like to learn more about the interesting world of teas? The next Diploma Course starts at the end of September 2025. Welcome to read more about it here.

Here and here, you can find reviews from earlier Tea Sommelier students!

The seasons and elements in nature influence us and are part of us. Awareness of the seasons, the five elements and traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) helps us adjust our lifestyle to feel better, stay healthy and energetic. The Five - Elements Book by Shana Zhang can be ordered here. Shana is the founder of International Tea Academy and Wild Tea Qi.