Tea Culture and knowledge

Eastern Tea Academy

Long-term courses, master-classes and events

After ten years since the beginning of our journey, first as tea scholars and then as producers, we want to offer a solid structure to our words, and pave the path for all tea enthusiasts.

We designed an educational program to enrich the knowledge and awareness on tea — and on the culture, philosophy and arts that surround it.

Whether you are deepening a personal passion, or building the foundation to one day teach and represent Chinese tea culture in your own country, our purpose is the same: to form skilled, conscious and critical tea drinkers, ready to keep improving and take an active part in the growing global industry of fine tea.

From the source

We are based in China, where we continuously update our knowledge visiting scholars, researchers, and of course other tea producers.

Continuos learning

We follow our students daily during the course program, and above all offering advantages for knowledge updates during the following 12 months.

Nationally Certified

The last level of our Daye // Big-leaf course offers an official Chinese certificate now released by the All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives (China Co-op), a ministerial-level national organization operating under China's State Council, with branches across every province of China.

Courses

Chinese tea culture for passionate and professionals. Both online and offline.

XIAOYE // SMALL-LEAF

A long-term course on Chinese teas and terroir, with elements of Chinese language: the beginning of your independent travel into Chinese leaves and markets. 

The current session started on June 27th, and continues every Saturday, 4:00-6:00pm CEST
(calculate your local time)

You can still join following the recording of the first calsses; write us for further information.

The course is open also to Xiaoye graduate students who wish to review the contents and update their knowledge, with special rates.

Course info

DAYE // Big-leaf

The official in-depth course to go deep into Chinese tea:

we introduce advanced theory, tasting practices, and the broader world of Chinese tea culture — from the traditional arts historically paired with tea (such as calligraphy, painting, music and incense) to the cultural context that makes tea a living tradition, not just a beverage — with a final exam.

It requires the Small-leaf course.

Next session:
The next session will be in Winter '26/'27; write us to book a seat.

The course is open also to graduate students who wish to review the contents and update their knowledge.

Course info

FOUR SEASONS IN TEA // TEA-LEARNING CLUB

Our tea club Four Seasons in Tea unites our Tea Academy and our Tea Tours: it takes you to tea forests and gardens, exploring a single terroir through the eyes of local farmers and experts.

Explore

Chinese Incense Course

A new course on traditional practices and modern applications of natural Chinese incense.

First edition:

- Europe, Asia and Oceania time-zone:
From Sunday December 7th 2025 to January 11th 2026, 11-12:30 am CET.
Contact us to join (calculate your timezone).

- Americas, Asia and Oceania time zone: From February 2026, contact us to reserve your seat and let us know your preferred time and date (calculate your timezone).

Course info

*we are glad to support the future of our industry offering special rates to business owners and young students under 25 years old.

The teacher

Vivian Zhang is a tea master who graduated at the highest level from the Chinese Tea Academy, after attending courses in Beijing and completing her specialisation in Kunming. In 2014 she became a tea producer after founding her company, Eastern Leaves, on mount Nannuo in Yunnan. Over the years, she has added the various degrees of the official training on tea - from the ceremony to the cultivation - to her liberal education in Ancient Chinese Literature. In 2016 she graduated with a Master degree in Food and Beverage Management, at Bocconi University in Milan. Together with Eastern Leaves, she divides her life between the mountains in Yunnan and her international travels, where she shares her experiences and the tea leaves she brings from her native land.

Contact Vivian

The certificate

Our teaching is built on over a decade of hands-on experience — growing and processing tea on our own mountain, and training students across the world. The certificate is the official recognition of that work.

Who issues it

A national certificate

Issued by the All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives (China Co-op) — a ministerial-level organization under China's State Council, present in every province of China. One of the highest levels of official recognition available to international tea students today.

What it certifies

Beyond tea tasting

Confirms the ability to judge and describe teas by terroir, brew tea as a professional, trace production techniques, and read market quotations — and to speak with authority on the culture surrounding tea, from its history and philosophy to the traditional arts practiced alongside it.

Where it can take you

A path, a life with tea

For those who wish to go further, it can also mark the start of a new path — teaching, hosting, and representing Chinese tea culture in your own countries, whether through your own tea school, cultural events, or work in the tea trade.

Open to all our alumni

Live community

Everyone who has taken our Xiaoye or Daye course has access to our international community of students, a live forum and chat where you can find new content, knowledge and organize your own virtual or offline tea tasting.
It is a way to keep yourself up to date with the evolution of the tea industry and find a group of passionate people for your brewing sessions, wherever you go in the world.

Join

Further information

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Learn from your senses

Online and onsite courses

Besides the online courses, we are available for onsite learning in Nannuo mountain, Yunnan, focusing on the tea land, trees, and people.

Information