“A cup of tea is the answer to every problem. Nice cup of tea and a piece of cake.” - David Walliams
Elevating your tea experience is all about the perfect balance of complementary and contrasting flavors. Beyond simply adding a sweetener to your cuppa, something as simple as the right treat pairing can take indulgence to the next level. As it so happens, springtime is the perfect inspiration for a whole host of sweet delights.
Do you fancy a breakfast time confection? The combination of sweet and tart fruit flavors in a blueberry scone pair perfectly with the rich, malty notes of a hearty Assam black tea, such as our Season's Pick Assam GFOP Organic. Its toasty aroma and flavor hinting of caramel are just right for accentuating the sugary scone and its tangy-sweet blueberry flavor.
Time for a light snack? Chocolate and green tea are a wonderful pairing. The bright, fresh flavor of a Japanese green tea provides a harmonious counterpoint with the deep, rich sweetness of chocolate. The pronounced vegetal character and full mouthfeel of our Aichi Matcha Organic is the ideal choice for sipping while nibbling on a chocolate Easter bunny.
Any time of day, carrot cake is a rich, lively combination of sweet with a little savory. With its smooth, earthy black tea cup, rich with notes of carob and honey sweetness, our Yunnan TGFOP provides an elegant pairing for the toothsome complexity of this perennial favorite.
How about some strawberry shortcake? Whether it is made with tender sponge cake or flaky biscuits, this airy dessert, topped with whipped cream, is a juicy winner. Enjoyed with our Premium China Keemun, the ripe berry sweetness and rich cake/biscuit base are accentuated by the fragrant toastiness and Burgundy flavor notes of this favorite black tea.
If you are seeking a refreshing citrus lift, lemon bars are the way to go. With a thick layer of creamy lemon filling that sits on a buttery shortbread crust, what’s not to love? To enhance the citrus burst with some floral sweetness, we recommend our Formosa Spring Dragon Oolong. In concert with the zingy citrus flavor of this dessert, the fragrant lilac character of this lightly oxidized Oolong tea adds a unique floral twist, which entwines perfectly with the shortbread sweetness.
Cheesecake is known to be the ultimate word in indulgence. Strawberries continue to hold the top spot as a cheesecake topping. If you are savoring strawberry cheesecake bites, this calls for a particularly smooth and invigorating pairing. Our Special Grade Shou Mei White Tea is full-bodied yet buttery smooth, with sweet, toasty notes that complement the smooth richness of the cheesecake. Notes of melon, enhanced by a nuance of honey and an herbaceous whisper, provide a great contrast to all that delightful decadence.
When it comes to steeps and sweets, there is definitely an element of “practice makes perfect.” We recommend getting started on some sipping and sampling today.
Until next time, keep sipping!