noun
tea tasting; tea-tasting
A traditional practice where participants identify different tea varieties by scent alone, often as a game or ceremony. Compare 聞き茶 (ききちゃ), which is the more common term for tea tasting by flavor.
See also: 聞き茶 (ききちゃ)
茶道の稽古で嗅ぎ茶を体験した。
I experienced tea tasting by scent during tea ceremony practice.
嗅ぎ茶では、香りだけで茶の種類を当てる。
In tea tasting by scent, you identify the type of tea only by its aroma.
聞き茶 is the more common term for tea tasting, often focusing on flavor, while 嗅ぎ茶 specifically emphasizes identification by smell.
Compound of 嗅ぎ (かぎ, 'sniffing', the continuative form of 嗅ぐ) and 茶 (ちゃ, 'tea').