noun
tea tasting
The act of discerning different types or qualities of tea by taste and aroma. Similar to 嗅ぎ茶 (smelling tea) but emphasizes tasting.
See also: 嗅ぎ茶
日本茶の利き茶を体験するワークショップに参加した。
I joined a workshop to experience Japanese tea tasting.
noun
tea-tasting contest
A competition where participants identify different teas. Historically known as 闘茶 (tea competition), but 利き茶 is the modern term.
See also: 闘茶
毎年、宇治で利き茶大会が開かれる。
A tea-tasting contest is held every year in Uji.
Compound of 利き (kiki, discerning/testing) and 茶 (cha, tea). The kanji 利 is used for its meaning of effectiveness or skill, while 聞き is sometimes substituted by analogy with other tasting terms.