How to pair tea and chocolate

January 30, 2019

Fine, orthodox loose leaf tea offers a wide spectrum of natural aromas and flavours, which can make a wonderful companion to various dishes during your meal, not to mention decadent chocolates and patisserie. In this article, we share some tips how to pair tea and chocolate.

As a general rule, black tea makes an easy pairing with most of chocolates, in comparison to more delicate and light-bodied green, white and oolong teas. This is due to the fact that there is often more tannin in black tea, which contributes to the medium-to-full body of black tea  and a good amount of astringency in black tea interacts really well with the rich texture and sweetness of chocolates. However, more light-bodied green and oolong teas can also make a great pair with chocolates. For instance, you will be amazed how delicious a high quality, fruity oolong tea or jasmine scented green tea could taste with white chocolates. While the zesty, fruity note of oolong tea mingles beautifully with the sweetness of white chocolates, delicate bitterness and astringency in the oolong tea sap refreshes your palate, giving a good contrast to the sweetness of white chocolate.

To help you create a delicious and romantic Valentine’s day, we are sharing below some of our favourite tea & chocolate pairing combinations that could create a magical tea & chocolate pairing.

  • Truffle lovers? Try Black Forest black tea with dark chocolate truffle, it will offer you a real classic, harmonious tea & chocolate pairing experience.

Black Forest is a highly unique, black tea from Lao Mountain, Shandong province in northwestern China. Due to its naturally intense dark chocolate aroma, it’s definitely one of our customers’ favourite black tea. Try Black Forest with dark chocolate truffle, this luscious black tea will make a wonderfully harmonious pair with truffle.

Phoenix Honey Orchid is an exceptional dancong oolong tea from Wu Dong Mountain, Guangdong province in China. Offering a naturally sweet, fruity and floral tea liquor with sharp but delicate bitterness, it’s difficult to forget its distinctively fruity flavour and aroma, once you’ve tasted it. Thanks to its characteristic tropical fruit notes and sharp bitterness, this outstanding oolong tea will magically enhance the flavour of any white chocolates. Phoenix Honey Orchid’s distinctive passion fruit, peach and orange flavours are in the perfect euphony with the sweetness of white chocolates while its bitterness refreshes your palate. We’re confident that this pairing will awaken our taste buds with the blissful memories of beautiful summer days. An absolute must-try pairing for any chocolate lovers.

Made from the precious Red Jade tea cultivar (aka. TRES NO.18) grown on the picturesque hills of Sun Moon Lake in central Taiwan, this highly original black tea offers an invigorating liquor with refreshing notes of eucalyptus and lingering honey, which makes a classic and elegant pairing with dark chocolate pairing. It goes without saying that Sun Moon Lake Red Jade black tea will also make a great pair with any mint flavoured dark chocolates.

This quintessentially English tea makes a wonderful pair with milk chocolates. Made from entirely hand-picked tea leaves grown in the Shire highlands in Malawi and scented with natural essential Bergamot oil, the woody note of Repertoire Earl Grey creates a harmony with the rich mouthfeel of milk chocolate while its zesty, citrusy flavour refreshes your palate from the sweetness of milk chocolates.

Once you've made your selection for tea and chocolate pairing and are all set for the tasting experience, take a sip of your tea first to warm up your palate before tasting chocolates. This will allow chocolate to melt faster and evenly with the lingering aftertaste of tea.

To find more examples of tea & specific chocolate pairing, read our guest article "Tea and Chocolate Pairing - Tantalise Your Taste Buds" that we wrote in Love Cocoa's Blog

We also propose you to read the article a guide to gifting tea for more ideas about tea gifts. 

Find us at a tea tasting >>.





Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.


Also in TEA JOURNAL

Valentine's Day Tea Gifts: Thoughtful Selections from Tea Repertoire - Tea Repertoire
Valentine's Day Tea Gifts: Thoughtful Selections from Tea Repertoire

January 29, 2025

Surprise your loved one this Valentine’s Day with the gift of premium tea and artisanal teaware from Tea Repertoire. Our carefully curated selection of award-winning teas, elegant Japanese tea sets, and handcrafted accessories offers the perfect blend of beauty and thoughtfulness. Make this Valentine’s Day unforgettable with a gift that reflects love, tradition, and taste.

View full article →

Embrace Dry January with the Healing Power of Tea: A Perfect Start to Your Year - Tea Repertoire
Embrace Dry January with the Healing Power of Tea: A Perfect Start to Your Year

December 30, 2024

As Dry January kicks off, it's the perfect time to explore refreshing, alcohol-free alternatives that support your health and well-being. In this post, we dive into the world of tea and tisane, highlighting the best selections to detox, energize, and relax throughout the month. Whether you're looking for a calming herbal infusion or a vibrant green tea to boost your energy, discover how premium teas can be your perfect companion for a mindful and refreshing start to the year.

View full article →

Health benefits of Tea - how tea can help you live a healthier life - Tea Repertoire
Health benefits of Tea - how tea can help you live a healthier life

December 30, 2024

Tea has been celebrated for its wide range of health benefits for centuries. From boosting your immune system to promoting relaxation and improving digestion, tea can support a healthier, more balanced lifestyle. Discover the health-boosting properties of different teas and how they can help you live a healthier life.

View full article →