Master Tea Processing Through Direct Experience
Seven days of intensive, hands-on training covering production techniques you can apply immediately. Learn from experienced processors at working facilities in Northern Thailand.
Return HomeWhat This Training Delivers
Imagine having the confidence to make informed processing decisions because you've actually worked with tea at different oxidation stages, adjusted firing temperatures, and seen how small changes affect the final product. This program is designed to give you that practical foundation through direct experience at operating tea facilities.
Practical Skills
Hands-on experience with actual tea processing, not just theory
Small Groups
4-8 participants for focused attention and meaningful interaction
Regional Methods
Exposure to Southeast Asian processing approaches and equipment
The Challenge of Learning Tea Processing
Learning tea processing from books or videos only goes so far. You can read about oxidation levels or firing temperatures, but until you've actually monitored withering tea through the night, felt when leaves have reached the right moisture content, or adjusted roller pressure based on leaf texture, the knowledge remains somewhat abstract.
For those entering tea production or looking to upgrade their skills, finding comprehensive training can be challenging. Many producers learn through trial and error over years, which is valuable but also slow and sometimes costly in terms of lost product. Apprenticeship opportunities exist but often require long-term commitments or personal connections.
There's also the question of where to learn techniques specific to Southeast Asian tea production. European or East Asian processing methods are well documented, but the approaches used in Northern Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar are less accessible to those outside the region. Without direct exposure to these methods, it's difficult to understand how they might apply to your own production context.
How This Training Program Works
Our training approach combines classroom instruction with extensive hands-on work at partner processing facilities in Northern Thailand. You'll spend seven days working directly with tea—withering, rolling, oxidizing, and firing—while learning the reasoning behind each step.
Hands-On Processing
You'll work with actual tea production, not demonstrations. This means participating in withering monitoring, operating rolling equipment, managing oxidation timing, and controlling firing temperatures across multiple tea styles.
Multiple Tea Styles
Training covers techniques for different oxidation levels—from minimal oxidation through full oxidation—so you understand the spectrum of processing approaches and how to control outcomes.
Small Group Format
Sessions accommodate 4-8 participants, which allows for individual attention, hands-on equipment time for everyone, and meaningful discussion about techniques and applications.
Experienced Instructors
Training is led by processors with years of production experience in the region. They can explain not just what to do, but why certain approaches work in specific contexts.
This program suits producers looking to upgrade their processing skills, entrepreneurs entering tea production who want practical knowledge, and established professionals interested in Southeast Asian processing techniques. The intensive format means you gain a comprehensive foundation in one focused period rather than piecing together knowledge over extended time.
Your Seven Days of Training
Each day combines theory with practice, building your understanding progressively while giving you direct experience with each processing stage.
Foundation and Withering
Introduction to tea processing principles, facility orientation, and beginning work with withering. You'll learn to assess leaf moisture content and understand how withering conditions affect subsequent processing steps.
Rolling and Shaping
Hands-on work with rolling equipment and manual shaping techniques. Understanding cell rupture, juice release, and how rolling intensity influences oxidation rate and final appearance.
Oxidation Control
Managing oxidation for different tea styles. Learning to assess oxidation progress through sensory evaluation and environmental control. Understanding how to achieve target oxidation levels consistently.
Firing and Drying
Working with firing equipment to halt oxidation and reduce moisture content. Learning temperature control, timing decisions, and how firing parameters affect flavor development and stability.
Style Variations
Processing tea with different oxidation targets to understand the range of possibilities. Hands-on work creating distinct styles from similar starting material through processing adjustments.
Quality Assessment
Learning to evaluate finished tea and identify processing effects. Understanding common processing challenges and how to address them through technique adjustments.
Integration and Application
Bringing together the week's learning through comprehensive processing work. Discussion about applying these techniques in different contexts and adapting methods to specific equipment or conditions.
Days are full—typically 8-10 hours including both classroom sessions and processing work. The schedule follows actual tea production timing, which sometimes means early mornings or evening sessions to work with tea at specific processing stages. This reflects the reality of tea production and helps prepare you for the demands of running your own processing operation.
Program Investment
This intensive training represents a focused investment in your tea processing knowledge and capabilities.
per participant
7-day intensive program
What's Included
- Seven full days of instruction and hands-on processing work
- Direct access to processing equipment and facilities
- All materials and tea for processing practice
- Small group setting (maximum 8 participants)
- Instruction from experienced regional processors
- Coverage of multiple tea styles and oxidation levels
- Reference materials and processing documentation
Not Included
- • Accommodation in Chiang Rai (we can suggest options)
- • Meals outside of facility breaks
- • Transportation to and from training location
- • International travel arrangements
Value Considerations
- • Concentrated learning in one focused week
- • Direct equipment access and processing experience
- • Knowledge applicable to your own production context
- • Exposure to regional methods and techniques
- • Networking with other tea professionals
Payment Structure: 50% deposit to secure your place, remaining balance due 14 days before program start.
Sessions are scheduled quarterly based on demand. Contact us for upcoming dates and availability.
Training Effectiveness
This program has been running since 2020, supporting tea makers and aspiring producers in developing practical processing skills.
Participants trained across 30+ sessions
Participants per session for focused learning
Countries represented by past participants
What Participants Achieve
Most participants leave with confidence to make processing decisions based on sensory assessment rather than just following formulas. The hands-on work means you've actually experienced how tea responds to different handling, which provides a foundation for adapting techniques to your own production conditions.
The training gives you vocabulary and concepts to discuss processing with other producers, evaluate equipment options, and troubleshoot quality issues. You'll understand the reasoning behind different approaches, which helps you make informed choices about your own methods.
However, seven days provides a foundation, not mastery. Processing skill develops through continued practice and experience. This program accelerates your learning by giving you concentrated exposure to techniques and equipment, but applying these skills effectively requires ongoing work in your own production context.
Realistic Expectations
This training works best for people ready to actively engage with processing work. If you're looking for passive instruction or expecting to achieve expert-level skills in one week, this program may not meet those expectations.
The small group format means sessions fill quickly, particularly during preferred seasons. Planning ahead increases your likelihood of securing a spot in your preferred timeframe.
Our Training Commitment
We approach this training with a focus on practical skill development and honest communication about what you'll learn.
Hands-On Time
Every participant gets direct processing time with equipment. We maintain small groups specifically to ensure this access. You won't spend seven days watching demonstrations—you'll be working with tea throughout the program.
Experienced Instruction
Training is led by processors who work with tea production year-round. They can explain techniques from practical experience, not just theoretical knowledge, and answer questions based on actual processing challenges.
Clear Curriculum
Before you register, you'll receive detailed information about what the program covers, daily schedules, and facility capabilities. No surprises about content or format after you've committed.
Postponement Flexibility
If unforeseen circumstances prevent your attendance, we work with you to transfer your registration to a future session. Life happens—we understand that and accommodate it when possible.
This training represents a significant time and financial investment. We take that seriously and focus on delivering practical value through direct processing experience and knowledgeable instruction. If you have questions about whether this program fits your learning needs, we're happy to discuss that before you register.
How to Join a Training Session
Registration is straightforward, with clear steps from initial inquiry through program participation.
Check Availability
Contact us for upcoming session dates. We schedule programs quarterly and can confirm which dates currently have openings.
Review Details
We'll send complete program information including curriculum, daily schedule, facility details, and logistics. Ask any questions before registering.
Secure Your Spot
Submit registration with 50% deposit. We'll confirm your enrollment and provide pre-program information and preparation guidelines.
Before the Program
After registration, you'll receive detailed arrival information, accommodation suggestions, packing recommendations, and optional pre-reading materials. We're available to answer logistical questions as they come up.
International participants should plan travel with some buffer time, as processing schedules sometimes shift based on tea availability. We communicate any schedule adjustments as soon as we know about them.
Most participants arrive the day before training starts, which allows for settling in and getting oriented to Chiang Rai before the intensive program begins.
Ready to Develop Your Processing Skills?
Connect with us to learn about upcoming training dates and discuss whether this program fits your learning goals.
Inquire About TrainingNext scheduled session begins January 2025
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