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?
Earl Grey Orange - London Sun Tea
This chocolate contains the actual tea which is 100% edible! The tea has orange to pronounce the bergamot citrus notes of a typical earl gray. Sweet milk chocolate and strong black tea with bergamot pair for an afternoon delight.
Cardamom Coffee | Peace of Mind
This chocolate contains espresso beans, almonds and a milk chocolate swirl reminiscent of an espresso crema. The tea is an herbal, caffeine free tea for relaxation after a hearty cup of caffeine. Cardamom in the tea coexists with cardamom in the chocolate that creates a rich, roasted flavor that lingers.
Banana Walnut | Banana Bread Red
This milk chocolate is packed with walnuts, freeze dried bananas, and banana bread red tea. Sip the naturally sweet tea with the textured flavor explosions of soft and crunchy chocolate.
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.
