Tea & Food Pairings
There are so many different wonderful flavours of teas from all around the world that the different permutations of pairing with food are endless. Perhaps the best example is that of wines and food, but it is worth keeping in mind that matching teas with food is very much an evolving art and as with most things, is very much down to personal taste.
That said however, there are some general guidelines beginning to emerge that might be of some help and here are some suggestions to consider below.
| Food Suggestions | Tea Suggestions | Comments |
| Red meat, English Style Breakfasts ( fried foods) | Black teas from Ceylon, Kenyan, Assam, Breakfast Blends, Lapsang Souchong, Keemun, Green Teas, Earl Grey | Similar to comparing red wines and foods, black teas are great accompaniments to full flavoured foods such as red meat or spicy foods |
| Egg dishes, fish, Continental style breakfasts, Poultry | Darjeeling, Dark Oolongs, Ceylon Black Teas | Great accompaniment to lighter savoury meals or after dinner |
| Seafood, salads, chicken | Sencha Green Tea, Light Oolongs, Lapsang Souchong, Darjeeling, Jasmine | Light Oolongs are particularly good with seafood |
| Spicy Foods | Assam, Ceylon, Keemun, Green Teas, Lapsang Souchong | Bright and lively flavoured teas work well with rich spicy foods. |
| Chinese | Oolongs, Yunnan, Keemun | Whilst traditionally Oolongs would normally be proposed, for some of the more spicy dishes its worth trying a black Yunnan or Keemun for added depth. |
| Desserts | Jasmine, Golden Monkey, English Breakfast, Assam | Chocolate desserts are particularly well paired with teas such as Assam and Golden Monkey |
| Afternoon Tea | Ceylon Teas, Jasmine, Earl Grey, Kenya, Darjeeling, Green teas | Most teas work well - but it is worth experimenting with different blends and flavours. |
| After Dinner | White Teas, Green Teas, Pu-Erh, Peppermint Herbal Infusions | Pu-Erhs are known to aid digestion so are often enjoyed after large meals. Peppermint is a refreshing herbal infusion also known to aid digestion, but be aware not to drink if you suffer from GORD as peppermint will exacerbate the symptoms. |
| Supper | Rooibos, Honeybush, Camomile, Peppermint or Fruit Infusions | If you don't want to partake of any caffeine before going to bed, why not try a herbal infusion such as Rooibos or Honeybush as it offers a great depth as well as pleasant sweet taste. There are many flavours on the market to enjoy and experiment with. |