Tea specialist Anna Mariani will lead this workshop with a side-by-side analysis of two contrasting Taiwanese oolong teas. Through specific exercises designed to reveal nuanced aroma notes, we will explore the connection between how we smell and how we taste. Because our sense of smell accounts for up to 80–90% of what we experience as flavor, the complex profile of tea serves as an ideal blueprint for building a perfume accord.

By translating our notes into a perfumer’s vocabulary, we will deconstruct the olfactory architecture of each infusion—from the dry leaf to the aroma lingering in the empty cup.

In the second half of the class, drawing on these insights and under the guidance of IAO instructor Julianne Lee , we will work with a baseline tea accord to learn the structural foundations of tea in fragrance. We will then explore together how to strategically augment and modify this baseline formula using specific aromamolecules to match the distinct profiles of the two teas we evaluated.

The specialty oolongs featured in this class are generously provided by Tap Twice Tea (https://taptwicetea.com/ )

TOPICS COVERED

• Guided side-by-side tasting and sensory analysis of two distinct Taiwanese oolongs.

• Practical techniques to engage both nose and palate during a tea tasting.

• The essential building blocks and structure of a baseline tea accord in perfumery.

• Formulation strategies to adapt a standard tea accord to reflect specific aromatic tea profiles.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Hands-on tools to identify and describe subtle aroma notes in specialty tea.

• A clear understanding of how our sense of smell directly shapes the experience of taste and flavor.

• The foundational skills to adapt a preexisting perfume accord formula to mimic specific, real-world tea aromatic profiles.

ABOUT ANNA MARIANI

Anna Mariani is a tea specialist, published writer, and photographer with over a decade of experience. Through her curated platform, The Tea Squirrel (https://teasquirrel.com/ ), she explores the intersection of specialty tea, culture, and a sensorial lifestyle. Committed to making high-quality tea accessible, Anna has immersed herself in the tea cultures of Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, using tea as a compass for her travels. Alongside her passion for tea, a lifelong fascination with scent led her to study perfumery at the IAO, driving her focus on the sensory overlap between tea and experimental fragrance.

Bringing a tea sommelier’s nose and palate and a photographer’s eye to her practice, Anna celebrates authenticity, craftsmanship, and visual storytelling. Her Curated Routes series maps out itineraries that weave exceptional tea rituals with art, architecture, and design. By creating elevated sensory experiences, Anna invites her students to slow down, practice undivided attention, and discover how a beautifully crafted cup of tea serves not only as an uplifting ritual for contemplation and meaningful connection, but also as a powerful practice in olfactory refinement.

IMPORTANT NOTES

Registration Required: Please note that you must reserve your space in advance. If you just show up without reserving a spot, there is no guarantee we will be able to accommodate you. Space at this event is limited. All levels are welcome, but this session is 18 and up (or 14+, with adult supervision).

Materials: Handouts and materials are included in the sign-up cost, and provided by the IAO during class.

Location: We are located in Los Angeles’ historic Chinatown neighborhood, on a pedestrian street.

Street Address: 932 Chung King Road Los Angeles CA. 90012

To find us: Chung King Road is a pedestrian-only road that runs parallel to Hill Street, between Hill St and Yale St. See more information here: http://artandolfaction.com/visit

Attendance and Refund Policy: This is an in person class that will take place at the Institute for Art and Olfaction. Cancellation with refund made 1 week or more (7 days) before the scheduled session will be honored unless materials or formulas have been shared in advance. Refunds requested 1 week or less before the class starts, on the day of the class or after the class has happened will not be granted. Please note our cancellation policy, listed here and on the registration/ticketing page: https://artandolfaction.com/educationatiao/cancellation-policy/

Photo credits: Images 1-3, Anna Mariani.