Pairing tea with the right foods can greatly enhance the taste and overall enjoyment of your meal (or snack for that matter). With a huge range of distinct flavours and aromas, tea can compliment almost any type of food.

In simple terms, tea pairing involves combining aromas and flavours of equal intensity, in much the same way as you pair wine with food. You want to avoid extreme contrasts in taste and aim for harmony and balance of flavour.

Here are some of our favourite tea and food combinations to inspire you and whet your appetite:

BLACK TEA PAIRINGS:

Cheeses
Robust black teas such as Keemun are wonderful when paired with strong, soft cheese such as brie, goat and danish blue. The creamy, salty richness balances with the depth of flavour that this black tea offers. Alternatively, the deep smoky notes of Lapsang Souchong can compliment a variety of smoked cheeses from around the world.

Pasta Dishes
Rich pasta dishes such as lasagne or pasta carbonara are well paired with malty black teas. Hearty Italian dishes that feature aubergine or courgette also combine well alongside full flavoured Assams such as Large Leaf Harmutty

GREEN TEA PAIRINGS:

Seafood and Sushi
The delicate, seaweed notes of Japanese green teas such as Bancha Hojicha are wonderful with seafood.
If you are indulging in shellfish, tuna steaks or sushi then a suitable pairing would be Japan's finest grade tea, Gyokuro Asahi. This highly prized tea known as 'Precious Dew' is consumed on special occasions along with high quality foods.

Both teas work well with foods high in 'Umami', so fish sauces, broths and soy sauce are delicious companions.

Barbequed and Smoked Meats
The fresh yet wood barrelled smoky notes of Gunpowder Green Tea are very well balanced alongside barbequed and smoked meats such as bacon. You may also like to serve alongside a charcuterie board of cured meats.

OOLONG TEA PAIRING:

Tropical Fruit
The velvety and semi-fermented sweetness of some light oolongs means they very well paired with tropical fruits such as passion fruit and those with a sweet aroma such as honeydew melon. We recommend our extremely rare Milky Oolong, a speciality tea from Yunnan Province which is almost entirely handmade.

Salted Snacks
Lightly salted snacks such as cashew nuts, crackers, crisps and olives go well with subtle oolongs such as our delicate, high quality China Organic Oolong, which is also low in tannins if you are sensitive or trying to avoid them.

WHITE TEA PAIRINGS:

Milk or White chocolate
White teas are wonderfully delicate but easily overpowered by stronger flavours. They are perfectly suited to milk or white chocolate-based deserts. Even a subtle hint of nutmeg or cinnamon would work well. We recommend our delectable Yunnan Special White Leaf which has a soft and flowery aroma.

White Fish
The refined taste of seabass or cod loin would compliment the gentle aroma and flavour of white teas such as our finest Snow Buds. This rare white tea is grown on the high mountain peaks of northern Fujian Province and is a lovely accompaniment to a fine dining occasion.

HERBAL & SCENTED TEA PAIRINGS:

Cakes
Cakes infused with berries or cinnamon are perfectly paired with rich, red fruit teas such as Hibiscus & Red Berry Cocktail or Berries from the Forest. A thoroughly warming treat on a cold winter afternoon. These caffeine free options are ideal if you are enjoying late in the day or after dinner.

Spicy Meats
Spicy marinated meats or Mexican food would stand up well against the classic, bold and aromatic Earl Grey. The flavourful and strong combination makes for an interesting and satisfying fusion.