Tea is incredibly versatile and can be paired with a vast variety of foods, from classic meat dishes to sweet chocolate desserts. It helps to focus on the main ingredients of the dish and then choosing the right tea based on that. Another tip to add some insight into tea pairing is looking at the cuisine from the traditional tea producing regions. For instance, Japanese green teas pair amazingly with most fish and seafood dishes as well as rice-based recipes, like sushi.
Here are some ideas of how best to pair different teas
Black Tea
The one with the most robust flavor and pronounced tannins, black tea is best paired with full flavored foods like spicy dishes and meat. Pastries also taste amazing when served with a cup of black tea.
But there are several types of black tea…
Fruity black tea works well with sweet desserts because its high concentration of tannins cleanses the residual mouthfeel and enhances the sweetness of the dish.
Smoky black teas are strong and should be combined with intensely flavored foods, like dark meats, blackened meat or even dark chocolate.
Earthy black teas compliment blackened meat, jerk chicken, mashed potatoes and other vegetable gravy recipes.
Green Tea
Green tea is well known for its subtle vegetative flavor so it’s best to pair it with mildly flavored foods like seafood, fish or chicken. If you love fruits, melons are an ideal choice to pair with green tea as well. Rice tastes better when served with a cup of green tea alongside and salads are a good fit too.
Green tea has three main flavor profiles…vegetal, smoky and fruity. Each of these accentuate the taste of certain foods in a more enjoyable way.
Vegetal green teas are representative of Japanese green tea in general. It has a fresh, grassy flavor and is perfect for enhancing seafood.
Smoky green tea on the hand is stronger so it pairs well with pan-fried turkey or chicken as it cuts the greasy mouth feel of fried meat. Also, it can accentuate the taste and flavor of potatoes, light stir-fries and even pizza made with root veggies.
Finally, fruity green teas taste delicious when served with chicken, sandwiches and fruit salads. Also, a great choice for a refreshing glass of iced tea. Representative of Ceylon and Indian green teas, these beverages have a lovely, light sweetness, which makes them perfect for baked meat-based dishes and whole wheat breads. These are not the best option for deep-fried or greasy meat recipes.
White Tea
White tea has a silky, subtle flavor so pairing it with strong foods may cause you to miss its natural sweetness. This lovely, delicate tea it best paired with lightly flavored foods like a fresh vegetable salad. If you try pairing white tea with sweet fruit dishes or even meat, there is chance you will feel like you are drinking plain water. Therefore, the best option would be a light dish like a cucumber salad or a lightly seasoned seafood or fish recipe. Drinking it alone between meals is also an excellent choice. Accentuate the delightfully subtle notes of white tea with some delicately flavored wildflower honey.
Oolong Tea
Oolong tea has a more multifaceted aroma that ranges between green and black teas. Therefore, it can be paired with a vaster range of foods…from light fish dishes to grilled meats. Typically, oolongs are divided into two main categories which are light and dark teas. So, when pairing this versatile beverage with dishes, it is wise to keep the following in mind.
Light oolong tea is incredible with scallops, lobster and sweet rich seafood. So fragrant and aromatic, light oolong teas should be combined with dishes that can bring its floral notes. Try pairing this tea with crackers or lightly salted snacks. The combination of sweet and salty flavors can lead to an interesting culinary experience.
Dark oolongs are known to have a more pronounced, intense flavor so they pair better with strongly seasoned foods. Grilled duck meat, salmon, trout and bass dishes are a wonderful choice. Smoked meat and meat-based appetizers can also bring out the flavor of dark oolongs. As for desserts, pastries and pancakes made with maple syrup are usually pair well with this type of tea.