Welcome to a different kind of tea education space
Hello, my name is Sooz (Suzette Hammond). Teaching tea has been my professional and personal life for over 20 years. Tea is an ancient culture, a way of life, and a contemplative teacher – so much more than just a beverage. Through story, conversation, and sensory experience, tea can be one of our most powerful connectors.
Over the years with students, I’ve been moved to see just how tea supports body, intellect and emotion. A practice with tea teaches us to be vulnerable as we sit in the present moment, and witnesses our being listened to.
Tea is also a study that strongly benefits from continuing education as a relationship. And this is how I teach tea.
Being Tea is tea education that supports your daily life.
All of my classes are beginner friendly, trauma-informed, and supportive for mental health, with a holistic approach to tea.
This is very different from academic teaching that enforces a rigid “sameness” for everyone. Here, students can seamlessly move between tea tasting and evaluation courses, to tea meditation and mental well-being, with an intentional through-line connecting the experiences.
I’m a nationally-recognized, award-winning teacher, and the 2018 recipient of the World Tea Award for Best Tea Educator.
As someone with a professional trade background in tea, I work with professionals and tea lovers alike. Everything I offer here is online and specifically developed for welcoming folks who have felt intimidated elsewhere learning tea, or that they somehow just don’t belong.
Here’s how you can study or work with Being Tea:
Being Tea Community Class Membership
Learn directly from a nationally-recognized tea professional.
Weekly live online sessions, plus a deep library of 200+ self-guided class videos.
All on a self-select sliding scale of $10–$30 per month, all classes included!
The most personally enriching + best value program in tea education available.
Being Tea Teacher Training
This immersive 8-month professional development course is entirely focused on the skills of how we teach tea to others.
Ideal for knowledgeable tea folks who want to feel more comfortable leading tea experiences, but have little teaching experience.
Runs annually Sept-April.
A groundbreaking first-of-its-kind professional development program for teaching tea.
Being Tea Tasting Box Club
The Tasting Box Club is an annual group tasting class program, featuring a new set of teas each month. We explore educational topics that support folks in deepening their own tea life and practice.
Private Group Tastings & Tea Meditation
Tasting experiences tailored just for your group. Explore hands-on tea skills and knowledge, or learn about meditation and emotional well-being with tea, in an intentionally designed online tea studio environment.
Other online offerings for you to explore…
Our SPECIAL EVENTS include seasonal workshops, series offerings, and guest speakers. Always offered both live and recorded.
QUIET TEA SUNDAYS just might become your regular space for restoration. Guided tea meditation, live every week at 9am CST.
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“To be” is to inter-be. You cannot just be by yourself alone. You have to inter-be with every other thing.”
– Thich Nhat Hanh