Milk and cookies, wine and cheese, tea and chocolate. Some foods are just made for each other. If you haven’t yet tried savouring some chocolate while sipping your favourite tea, maybe now’s the time. For 2 reasons:
1. February,with Valentine's Day right in the middle, is synonymous with chocolate, so you might have some around.
2. We're doing another blog giveaway, so read on!
Pearl Dexter, editor and publisher of Tea, a Magazine, says “there are three ways to look at tea and chocolate pairings. The first is as ‘friends,’ teas and chocolates with similar characteristics. The second is as ‘lovers,’ teas and chocolates that complement each other through their differences. The third happens when both combine ... a ‘perfect match.’”
You don’t have to be a connoisseur of either tea or chocolate to enjoy finding your perfect match. Have you tried nibbling a little chocolate while sipping your tea? Lots of experts have already “played” and tasted, helping us ordinary tea and chocolate lovers, find our next favourite combination. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Assam: Origin – India. Dominant flavor – malty. Pair with -- dark chocolate.
Chai: Origin – India. Dominant flavors – nutmeg, cinnamon. Pair with -- milk chocolate.
Darjeeling: Origin – India. Dominant flavor – bright muscatel. Pair with -- white chocolate, milk chocolate, dark chocolate
Dragonwell: Origin – China. Dominant flavors – nutty, vegetal. Pair with – white or milk chocolate.
Earl Grey: Origin – China. Dominant flavor – bergamot. Pair with -- chocolate macaroons, dark chocolate.
Gyokuro: Origin – Japan. Dominant flavor – sweetish. Pair with – dark chocolate, all chocolate desserts.
Hojicha: Origin – Japan. Dominant flavor – roasted/nutty. Pair with -- brownies.
Irish Breakfast: Origin – India, China and East Africa. Dominant flavor – malty. Pair with -- chocolate cake.
Jasmine: Origin – China. Dominant flavor – flowery. Pair with -- chocolate madeleines.
Keemun: Origin – China. Dominant flavors – rich and fruity. Pair with – milk or dark chocolate.
Matcha: Origin – Japan. Dominant flavor – fresh grass. Pair with -- white chocolate.
Oolong: Origin – Taiwan, China. Dominant flavors – flowery, fruity. Pair with – white, milk, or dark chocolate.
Pu-erh: Origin – China. Dominant flavor – earthy. Pair with -- dark chocolate.
Sencha: Origin – Japan. Dominant flavor – savory vegetal/seaweed. Pair with – white or milk chocolate.
Silver Needle: Origin – China. Dominant flavor – sweet vegetal. Pair with -- white chocolate.
Yunnan: Origin – China. Dominant flavor – spicy or peppery. Pair with – white or milk chocolate.
You’ll find Steeped Tea has many of these teas in our product offering, so enjoy shopping for some good quality chocolate and nibbling it while you sip. Enjoy feeling the chocolate melt in your mouth under the heat of the tea. Have fun smelling and tasting the tea and chocolate to see if you detect the same characteristics the experts did.
Leave us a comment telling us about your favourite tea & chocolate pairings. If you reside in Canada, let us know and you will be entered to win a great package containing 2 of our brand new savory products: our Caramelized Onion Chutney & Red Pepper Jelly. These are delish and a great way to kick up a sandwich or entrée. The contest runs for the month of February.
To win, leave us a comment on your favourite chocolate and tea pairings. Let us know where you are from. If you are Canadian, and are NOT a Steeped Tea consultant, you will be entered in the draw. Have fun!
