Love comes in many forms, and one of the simplest is the love of a perfect cup of tea. What could be better than enhancing the experience with complementary flavours? Here is a list of teas and beautiful pairings to prepare for your loved one.
Of course, any tea can be enjoyed on its own, just like in life. If you find yourself without romance this February, embrace it – spend time with yourself or a friend, and savour the moments created with your tea and a sweet treat.
Black Tea
Black tea is strong, bold, and full-bodied. It pairs best with rich, hearty, or slightly sweet flavours, such as chocolate brownies, madeira cake, or sticky toffee pudding. But really, it goes with almost anything – who has tried a biscuit dunk that wasn’t a success?!
Recommended: Barry’s Gold Blend, Thompson’s Punjana Tea
Earl Grey Tea
Earl Grey is a black tea flavoured with bergamot oil, giving it a distinctive citrusy aroma and flavour. It pairs beautifully with chocolate-orange desserts and lemon bakes to highlight the citrus notes, or with buttery biscuits like shortbread to let the bergamot shine, all balancing the robust black tea base.
Recommended: Twinings Earl Grey
Fruit/ Berry
This recommended strawberry and juniper tea is a fruit-based herbal infusion made from dried strawberries and juniper berries. Naturally caffeine-free, it has a sweet, slightly tart flavour with aromatic juniper notes, and pairs perfectly with desserts like berry tarts, fruit sponge, lemon cake, or almond pastries.
Recommended: Teapigs Strawberry & Juniper
Peppermint
Peppermint tea is a herbal infusion made from the leaves of the peppermint plant. It contains no caffeine and has a refreshing, cool, and slightly sweet minty flavour. It pairs classically with chocolate, whether dark or milk.
Recommended: Tetley Pure Peppermint
Chai Tea
Masala Chai is a spiced tea traditionally made by brewing black tea with a mixture of aromatic spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and black pepper, often served with milk and sweetener. It has a warm, fragrant, and slightly spicy flavour, and pairs well with cinnamon buns or biscuits, gingerbread, and caramel or toffee desserts.
Recommended: Tea India Masala Chai
Ginger
Ginger tea is a herbal infusion and can be made from fresh or dried ginger root. It is naturally caffeine-free and has a warm, spicy, and slightly sweet flavour with a refreshing zing. Try with pear or apple tarts, dark chocolate, lemon drizzle muffins, honey-oat biscuits.
Recommended: the freshest and best is homemade.
Rooibos
Rooibos is a herbal infusion made from the leaves of the Rooibos plant, native to South Africa. It is naturally sweet, smooth, and has an earthy flavour making it versatile. It works well with both rich and lightly sweet treats, such as spiced carrot cake, coconut macaroons, and chocolate-vanilla desserts.
Recommended: Yogi Tea Rooibos
Green Tea
Green tea is a true tea from the lightly oxidised Camellia sinensis leaves, with a fresh, grassy flavour and mild caffeine. Light, sweet, nutty treats like almond biscotti or hazelnut and pistachio biscuits complement its fresh notes without overpowering them. White chocolate or fairy cakes also pair beautifully.
Recommended: Clipper Green Tea
Chamomile
Chamomile tea is a herbal infusion made from the dried flowers of the chamomile plant. It is naturally caffeine-free, with a mild, sweet, apple-like flavour and calming, soothing properties. Try with light, subtle treats like vanilla cupcakes or honeyed sponge cakes.
Recommended: Twinings Chamomile
Rose
Rose tea is a herbal infusion made from rose petals or a blend of rose with other herbs or teas. It has a delicate floral aroma, subtly sweet flavour, and soothing character, and is naturally caffeine-free. It pairs beautifully with fruit-based desserts like strawberry tarts or raspberry macarons, light cakes such as sponge or almond cakes, and white chocolate treats.
Recommended: Pukka Love
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Wishing you all love this Valentine’s Day,
Mary
images: 1, black, earl grey, fruit, peppermint, chai, ginger, rooibos, green, chamomile, rose
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