Pairing food with the perfect beverage has long been a hallmark of fine dining, yet beyond wine and spirits, tea offers an equally nuanced and captivating experience. With its diverse spectrum of flavours and aromas, tea can elevate and enhance the notes of a dish, creating a symphony of taste on the palate. To uncover the secrets of pairing tea with food, we spoke with Maranda Barnes, Co-Founder of TWG Tea, who shares her expertise on creating the ideal tea and food pairing to elevate every dining experience.
Pairing tea with food is a delicate science and the choice should never be left to chance. So, let’s have a look at which type of tea goes well with food?
There are two primary approaches to pairing tea with food:
- Enhance — Select a tea that has the same ingredients as the dish to intensify its flavours.
- Balance — Choose a tea that contrasts yet complements, elevating the taste of the dish.
Meat
Blue teas, such as Imperial Oolong, and black teas like 1837 Black Tea and French Earl Grey, are ideal for pairing with meat. These bold and invigorating teas help to soothe the sated taste and flavour of heavier, richer food. They also promote digestion and help drain the body of excess fluids, making them perfect companions for meat dishes.
Seafood
Seafood goes best with green and white teas. The umami notes of green teas, like Silver Moon Tea and Geisha Blossom Tea, accentuate the sweetness of seafood while boosting the intake of zinc and vitamin C. White teas, such as White Sky Tea, are packed with polyphenols and have an elegant, delicate taste that enhances the flavours of seafood without overpowering them.
Salad or Vegetarian Dishes
Delicate white teas, such as White Night Jasmine Tea, and fresh green teas, like Gyokuro Samurai Tea, are perfect for light salads or vegetarian dishes. Both teas offer refreshing and subtle flavours that complement the freshness and lightness of vegetable-based dishes.
Spicy Dishes
Red tea, or rooibos, comes from the Aspalathus linearis plant in South Africa. Naturally theine-free, red teas such as Red of Africa Tea and Red Balloon Tea release a subtly sweet flavour that helps calm the post effect of spicy food without overwhelming the palate.
Desserts
All types of teas pair exquisitely with desserts and patisseries, Chocolate-infused teas, like Chocolate Earl Grey, offer a rich, aromatic complement to fruity desserts, while berry-blended teas, such as Eternal Summer Tea, enhance the sweetness of berry-based treats. For creamy or caramel desserts, sweet-spiced teas like Napoleon Tea provide the perfect balance of sweetness and sensual warmth. Whether you choose your favourite tea or one that enhances the flavours of your dessert, every pairing promises an indulgent experience.
About the expert
Maranda Barnes is Chief Commercial Officer of V3 Gourmet and Co-Founder of TWG Tea. Indulge in the extraordinary world of tea at TWG Tea Boutiques around the globe or explore the exceptional collection online at TWGTea.com.
