Tea & Chocolate Companion Guide | Pairing Two
Posted by EMPLOYEE ACCESS
Thank you for joining us on this pairing experience, we are excited to lead you through it. This guide is meant to help walk you through the tasting experience at home so that you’re able to get the most out of the flavors of the tea and chocolate, both on their own and experienced as a pair.
Explore our tea and chocolate pairing box here, or discover our entire collection of hand-crafted chocolates here.
For each pairing option below, we’ve provided a brief background on the tea, suggested brewing parameters for optimum flavor, and tasting notes to look out for in each tea/chocolate pairing.
Steps for Tasting
- Smell and taste the chocolate
- Brew your tea according to the suggested parameters
- Smell and taste the tea: pro-tip, slurp your tea to get the most out of the aroma and flavor!
- Sandwich both together: taste the tea, let a small piece of chocolate melt on your tongue, then taste the tea again
- Write down your thoughts
- Check our tasting notes to see how they compare to your initial notes
Some questions to keep in mind as you’re tasting:
- What aromas do you notice right away? Does the smell remind you of anything you’ve tried before, or maybe a place you’ve traveled to?
- What are your impressions as you first sip the tea?
- How does the texture of the tea feel in your mouth? Does it feel heavy, or light?
- How do you feel after the first sip? Do you feel energized, or more calm?
- How did the taste of the chocolate change as you incorporated the tea? Is there anything you noticed in tasting them together that you didn't notice in tasting them on their own?
Silver Needle Tea | Matcha Strawberry Chocolate
The Pairing: Silver Needle white tea, and a delectable Matcha Strawberry Chocolate bar. This pairing brings together the purity of white tea and white chocolate with the vibrant fusion of matcha and strawberry.
Flavor Profile: The delicate peachy notes of Silver Needle tea enhance the earthy qualities of matcha, while the strawberry infuses a fruity and slightly tangy twist.
Why it Works: Silver Needle's gentle, fruity essence harmonizes with the strawberry's sweetness, while the sweetness of white chocolate is balanced with the grassy flavor of matcha.
Cinnamon Chai Tea | Cinnamon Chai Chocolate
The Pairing: Cinnamon Chai rooibos tea complemented by Cinnamon Chai Chocolate with candied orange. The sweetness of orange complements the warmth of cinnamon chai spice.
Flavor Profile: The strong cinnamon in the rooibos tea aligns with the milk chocolate's sweetness, candied orange adds a texture twist with a friendly orange sensation.
Why it Works: This blend of toasty flavors creates a comforting, cozy feeling, ideal for a relaxing evening dessert. Enjoy the milk chocolate melting over a piping hot cup of caffeine-free cinnamon chai tea.
Strawberry Hibiscus Tea | Berry Hibiscus Chocolate
The Pairing: Our final pairing is a journey with the fruity and herbal Strawberry Hibiscus Tea, a blend that's as exciting as a childhood stroll through a berry garden. Pair it with the Berry Hibiscus Chocolate, a white chocolate masterpiece infused with hibiscus powder and adorned with succulent berries.
Flavor Profile: Well balanced chocolate base of sweet white chocolate with tart hibiscus powder, you may find notes of honey, coconut milk, and of course raspberry and blueberries scattered throughout.
Why it Works: The sweet white chocolate is balanced with tart hibiscus powder blended in. Freeze dried raspberries and blueberries pop in your mouth as the creamy chocolate fills in the gaps.
Use the flavor wheels below to help guide your individual tasting experience:
Tea Flavor Wheel
By experimenting with tea and chocolate pairings, you not only enhance the flavors of each but also embark on a sensory journey that's rich and fulfilling. Try out these pairings and share your thoughts with us. Until then, enjoy your tea and chocolate adventures!
Feeling inspired? Visit our cozy café in Connecticut to explore more tea and chocolate combinations or shop online for these delightful pairings.
Want to learn more? Additional resources:
- "The Tea Enthusiast's Handbook: A Guide to Enjoying the World's Best Teas" by Mary Lou Heiss and Robert J. Heiss — for insights into tea types and their unique characteristics.
- "The Flavor Bible: The Essential Guide to Culinary Creativity, Based on the Wisdom of America's Most Imaginative Chefs" by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg — for general flavor pairing tips.
