Tea Theory & Tasting: Slow down. Taste closely.

Dive deep into the most ancient and globally celebrated drink—tea! This workshop in San Francisco includes a professionally guided tea tasting & Chinese tea ceremony, alongside a thorough introduction to the world of tea and modern-day brewing. Whether you're a curious foodie or a burgeoning tea aficionado, this class is designed to help you explore a whole new breadth of tea flavors and traditions. From White to Pu'er, Taiwanese mountain forests to Victorian gardens, taste a sample of the world at your very own table! This fun and educational experience includes a curated tea tasting flight, an overview of tea's history and evolution, modern leaf styles, home brewing techniques, tips on purchasing in SF and much more. Your workshop is hosted by Garrett – a former Peet’s District Trainer, café manager, and local tea professional since 2017.

This workshop is ideal for tea enthusiasts of all levels.

What You’ll Experience:

• Tea Tasting Flight: Savor a carefully selected range of pure teas, infused teas, and tisanes representing the major worldwide tea spectrum, including varieties uncommon in the United States.
• Tea Fundamentals: Understand how oxidation, roasting, terroir, varietals, and different traditions' processing methodology influence tea flavors.
• Tea History: Learn about the origins, legends and rich cultural history of tea from ancient China to the modern California.
• Brewing Techniques: Explore the science behind both Eastern and Western styles of perfect tea preparation, and custom tips on how to brew at home or for work.
• Taste of Eastern Tea Traditions: Enjoy a live demo of 工夫茶, the traditional Chinese art of tea brewing, and hands-on experience with traditional tea tools.
• Health benefits: Get the 101 on how your favorite teas connect with your daily health!
• Teaware and Storage: Learn about different types of teaware, their different materials, and how to clean, store, purchase and handle them safely.

Whether you're looking to deepen your hospitality repertoire, explore cultural heritage, or simply enjoy a fun day off with your favorite coworkers, this workshop is perfect for anyone interested in a fresh cup of relaxing tea!

What you'll get

Curated tea tasting flight, tea class, tea ceremony demo, hands-on instruction

Knowledge required

Beginner-friendly!

What to bring

Nothing required besides a space to brew & pour tea.

Suitable for adults, and kids (minimum 13 years old).

An adult must accompany any attending kids (the adult may observe for free).

About the Instructor:

Garrett, a former biotech scientist turned café manager & tea vendor in San Francisco, has been in the industry since 2017. He's served at tea catering events and won pre-pandemic Barista Competitions. He loves guiding fellow caffeine-lovers through the infinite world of coffee & tea flavors and looks forward to helping you brew the perfect cup!

About Sunset Commons:

Carmen and Steven started Sunset Commons to provide a space to connect and build community through arts and craft activities led by talented local artists. Inspired by a love for creativity and a desire to foster connection in the Sunset District, we envisioned a “third space” where neighbors can gather, unwind, and form meaningful relationships. Our mission is to empower self-expression, boost confidence, and offer an inclusive haven for everyone, from introverts seeking a calm environment to those enjoying health-focused traditional teas. Sunset Commons is not just a business - it’s our way of enriching the community we love and to the city we both grew up in.

*Our events are often photographed and filmed so we can share the fun with our community. If you don’t want to be on camera, no worries—let us know before the event.

Reviews:

Annie C • Jan 2026

I booked a tea workshop with Garrett for my birthday and everyone loved it! We got to try so many different tea’s, learned a lot about the different types of teas, use the Gaiwan ourselves to pour tea, and even got a pamphlet sheet of the different types of teas and caffeine levels. He also provided me a free gift for my birthday. I think my favorite was trying the 1989 puer tea and the duck shit tea. The King Fisher tea was a very popular one amongst everyone as well. He is very knowledgeable and answers any questions you ask him as well. Thank you Garrett it was a perfect way to celebrate my birthday!

Josiah K• Mar 2025

The World of Teas: A Tea Tasting Voyage was an absolute delight, and much of that is thanks to the incredible expertise and passion of Garrett Wong. As our tea sommelier, Garrett guided us through an immersive and enriching journey, bringing centuries of tradition and culture to life through every sip.His deep knowledge—rooted in years of experience as a Peet’s District Trainer and esteemed tea professional—was evident in every detail, from his expert selection of rare teas to his insights into oxidation, terroir, and traditional brewing methods. The authentic Chinese tea ceremony was a mesmerizing highlight, and Garrett’s ability to connect history, science, and storytelling made the experience even more engaging.Not only was the tea itself exceptional, but Garrett’s warm and approachable teaching style made even the most intricate aspects of tea culture easy to understand and appreciate. Whether you were a seasoned tea connoisseur or a newcomer, you left with a newfound appreciation for the artistry and complexity of tea.A truly 5-star experience—thank you, Garrett, for making this such a memorable and enlightening event! Looking forward to more tea adventures in the future.

Event Venue

Sunset Commons, 1600 Irving Street, San Francisco, United States

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