Many people already know that it is important to pair wine and food just right in order to get the most out of your meal and the beverage you’re enjoying. What you may not know is that similar rules can be applied to tea. Different types of tea taste better when paired with specific foods and vice versa. Here are some essential tea and food pairing ideas.

White tea

White tea is known for its delicate aroma and flavour. This means that you need to pair it with foods that are just as delicate in terms of flavour. If you pair white tea with foods that have strong spices, you will no longer be able to appreciate the tea since it will be overpowered. Some excellent white tea and food pairing options include salads and vegetables. Just remember to take it easy on the dressing or sauce.

Black tea

There are three main types of black tea. These include smoky, earthy and fruity. Fruity black tea is excellent with pastries and sweet treats. Earthy black tea can be paired with mashed potatoes and gravy as well as blackened meats. The smoky variety tastes great with blackened meats because this tea has a particularly strong flavour. As you can see, there are several types of black tea and food pairing options based on the type of tea you are serving.

Green tea

Just like black tea, there are different types of green tea. The main options you will find include fruity, smoky and vegetal. Vegetal green tea and food pairings include seafood, chicken and fish. Smoky varieties work well with chicken or turkey and fruity green tea can be paired with fruit salads, sandwiches and light meats.

Oolong tea

There are two main types of oolong tea: light and dark. If you are serving light oolong tea, you should pair it with lightly salted snacks or rich seafood. Dark oolong tea tastes best with trout, salmon, grilled duck and similar types of meat. It can also be paired with certain pastries.

As you can see, there is a tea and food pairing option for every type of food. No matter the meal or snack you plan on serving, you can be sure that there is a cup of tea for everyone! Many teas are quite flexible in terms of pairing. As long as they do not overpower and are not overpowered by the food, you are good to go!