Tea & Chocolate Companion Guide | Pairing Three
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?
Pairing Option A: London Sun Tea - Earl Grey Orange Chocolate
Earl grey teas are traditionally made with a black tea base and added bergamot, a citrus fruit native to the Mediterranean. London Sun evokes a classic Lady Grey blend, punching up the citrus notes with orange rind and mildly sweet blue cornflower. If you like lemon with your tea, we recommend this one!
Brewing suggestions
- Amount of tea - 1 tsp per 6-8 oz
- Water temperature - 212F
- Steeping time - 3-5 minutes
Tasting notes to look out for: citrus zest, marmalade, delicate floral, honey (a funny one we sometimes hear in the tea room is the breakfast cereal “Froot Loops” - which can also evoke these tasting notes)
Flavor Profile: The orange and bergamot in the London Sun brings out the citrus notes in the chocolate, while the black tea contrasts with the sweetness of the chocolate.
Why it Works: The bright citrus notes of the orange and the more robust, astringent notes of the black tea base provide a balance to the chocolate’s sweetness. Enjoy this pairing in the morning to kickstart your day with a dose of uplifting citrus. Note: the tea on the chocolate is 100% edible!
Pairing Option B: Cardamom Coffee - Peace of Mind
A fan favorite, our Peace of Mind blend is meant to help your mind and body relax. Chamomile and linden flower calm the body, while tulsi and mint invigorate the mind. Cardamom and cinnamon bring a subtle warmth and contribute to a calming feeling.
Brewing suggestions
- Amount of tea - 1 tsp per 6-8 oz
- Water temperature - 212F
- Steeping time - 5-8 minutes
Tasting notes to look out for: honey, hay, green apple, mint, cardamom, cinnamon, raisin, brown - roast, nutmeg, molasses
Flavor Profile: The more delicate herbs in Peace of Mind provide a contrast to the robust Cardamom Coffee chocolate. The cardamom in the chocolate brings out the cardamom in the tea blend - you may not notice the cardamom in the tea until you taste the tea and chocolate together.
Why it Works: Cardamom's spicy kick enhances the roasted quality of the coffee, while the herbal notes of Peace of Mind provide a calming contrast.
Pairing Option C: Banana Bread Red Tea - Banana Walnut Chocolate
True banana bread in a cup, this blend uses honeybush, a naturally caffeine-free plant that is native to South Africa. Honeybush is often called the cousin of rooibos, as the two plants have many similarities in flavor. You may notice honeybush is a bit sweeter, where rooibos is a bit more woody in flavor.
Brewing suggestions:
- Amount of tea - 1 tsp per 6-8 oz
- Water Temperature - 212F
- Steeping Time - 5-8 minutes
Tasting notes to look out for: custard, honey, amber maple syrup, banana, cacao, chestnut, clove, vanilla, starch
Flavor Profile: The banana flavor in both the tea and the chocolate intensify one another. Two paired tasting notes you may not notice until you try the tea and chocolate together: the walnuts in the chocolate bring out the chestnut flavor of the tea, while the chocolate bar base brings out the flavor of the cocoa nibs in the tea.
Why it Works: The naturally sweetness of the tea brings together the textured flavor explosions of soft and crunchy chocolate - perfect for banana lovers!
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 tea and chocolate 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.
