London: Twinings Tea Tasting Masterclass & Flagship Store

Summary

London’s tea secrets come alive at Twinings flagship masterclass

You’ll step into London’s legendary Twinings store for a hands-on tea tasting masterclass—trying white, yellow, green, oolong, black and pu’erh teas while learning quirky facts from local experts. Taste history in every cup and leave with new rituals for your own kitchen.

What’s the experience like?

I never thought I’d slurp tea in public, but here we were—inside the old Twinings shop on the Strand, surrounded by tins stacked like little gold bricks. The smell hit first: not just “tea,” but something deeper—earthy, floral, even a bit smoky near the back shelves. Our guide, Tom (who wore a tie with tiny teapots on it), grinned as he handed me a cup. “Don’t sip,” he said. “Slurp.” I tried. Failed spectacularly. Someone laughed—maybe me.

The masterclass was two hours but honestly, time got weird in there. We tasted white tea that felt almost like warm rainwater, then yellow (which I’d never heard of), and then green—so grassy it reminded me of spring mornings in my grandma’s garden. Tom told us about Camellia Sinensis like she was an old friend who’d traveled continents to end up in our cups. The stories made each sip feel heavier somehow. At one point I caught myself staring at the light through my glass, thinking about how many hands had touched these leaves before they reached London.

We learned to tell pu’erh from oolong by smell alone—pu’erh was all earth after rain, oolong more like toasted nuts. There was this moment when someone asked if milk belonged in any of these teas and Tom just smiled and shrugged: “That’s between you and your cup.” It made me laugh harder than it should have. Honestly, I didn’t expect to care so much about something as ordinary as tea, but now every mug feels different. Still can’t slurp properly though.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Twinings 2-hour tea tasting masterclass

• Arrive at Twinings flagship store
• Learn tea history and origins
• Discover tea plant journey
• Taste six tea categories
• Learn professional tea slurping

Top questions

How long does the Twinings Tea Tasting Masterclass last?

The masterclass lasts 2 hours at the flagship store on Strand.

What types of tea will I taste during the class?

You’ll taste white, yellow, green, oolong, black and pu’erh teas.

Is there a local guide or expert leading the session?

Yes, a knowledgeable guide leads the tasting and shares stories about tea history and culture.

Where is the Twinings Tea Tasting held?

The experience takes place at 216 Strand in central London.

Are public transportation options available nearby?

Yes, public transportation options are available close to the store.

Are service animals allowed at this event?

Yes, service animals are allowed during the masterclass.

Is this suitable for someone new to tea tasting?

Absolutely—the class is designed for both beginners and enthusiasts.

What’s included

Your day includes a welcome cup of tea on arrival and guided tastings of six different teas—white, yellow, green, oolong, black and pu’erh—all led by an expert inside Twinings’ historic flagship shop on Strand.