What Food Goes Well With Tea? – Tea And Food Pairing Guide

As is the case with wine, some tastes of tea are more suited than others for particular types of food. When developing new combinations of tea and food, it is important to pay attention to any distinctive smells or fragrances in the tea that have the potential to accentuate the flavor of certain dishes. For instance, Earl Grey, which is a kind of black tea that is flavored with bergamot oil, has a citrus flavour that pairs well with sweets that have a flavor profile comparable to citrus, such as an orange scone or a lemon pastry. You might also try the Chinese black tea known as Lapsang Souchong. Although it goes well with savoury foods like meats and other savoury dishes, the peculiar smokey taste and scent of this tea does not go well with sweet sweets.

The general rule of thumb is to match strong teas with heavy dishes and light teas with lighter foods, but there is really no right or wrong method to construct tea and food pairings. There are only different ways to get the same effect. The most crucial consideration is not just your own preferences, but also the preferences of others who will be dining with you. When selecting the ideal tea to offer at your next tea party, keep the following pointers in mind as you make your selection:

White Teas

The ideal time to drink one of these teas is either after a meal or at tea time. White teas, due to the fact that they have a taste that is extremely light and delicate, are often exclusively used to compliment dishes that do not have strong tastes, such as a very mild and basic white rice dish.

Green Teas

These lighter teas are best appreciated at tea time or with light meals, particularly ones with fish, poultry, salads, and rice dishes. Green teas are also an excellent option to offer after a meal, either alone or with a dessert and fruit.

Oolong Teas

Because oolong tea is like a hybrid of green and black teas, it generally goes well with the same foods as both. Some oolongs tend to be closer to a green tea and others are closer to a black tea, so keep in mind where your oolong falls on this spectrum. A “greener” oolong will complement the subtler flavors of seafood and a “blacker” oolong tea will complement the stronger flavors in many meats and spicy dishes.

Black Teas

The strong, full-bodied flavors and aromas of black teas suit foods of a similar strength and heartiness, especially richly flavored meats and spicy dishes. Black teas also pair nicely with eggs, cheeses, breakfast foods, and complex desserts. Black teas, especially Irish Breakfast, English Breakfast, and Assam, are great morning drinks. The stronger flavors and higher caffeine content of black tea helps us to feel awake and refreshed. It is also worth mentioning that there are a few black teas with lighter flavors than the others.Darjeeling tea pairs nicely with baked goods like cookies and is more perfect for tea time or a light meal than for a hearty supper.Ceylonteas fromSri Lankaare also better with lighter meals and are especially wonderful with tea sandwiches.

Pu-erh Teas

Pu-erh tea is known for aiding digestion and this makes it an excellent tea to drink after a heavy meal. During the meal, it can be served with very hearty or richly flavored dishes and it pairs well with fatty foods like meats and oily foods like stir-fries.