L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates SOHO (Chai Latte and Chocolate Cake)
Over the years I’ve sampled a variety of chocolate, pairing it with an endless selection of teas to discover the most interesting and intriguing pairings. I once read that there are three ways to look at tea and chocolate pairings – which seem apropos for Valentine’s Day. The first is as ‘friends,’ pairing teas and chocolates with similar characteristics. The second is as ‘lovers,’ teas and chocolates that complement each other through their differences. And the third happens when both combine for a perfect match. Here are a few tips on finding YOUR “perfect match.”
1. Search for flavors and characteristics that are different but complement each other.
For example, black teas like Assam with its dominant malty flavor pair well with dark chocolate. Other black teas, like English Breakfast that mix well with milk pair well with a rich milk chocolate. It has been my experience, that the addition of milk is a common practice and we all know milk is the perfect partner to chocolate. (Try Fortnum & Mason Assam Superb; Ahmad English Breakfast)
2. Search for similar characteristics and notes in both the tea and chocolate that when paired will enhance each other’s flavor. An Earl Grey paired with a dark chocolate with citrus notes or a citrus-filled chocolate is another example of picking up on like flavor notes that will enhance each other. Earl Grey can also take milk and will pair beautifully with milk chocolate. But remember, the coupling of milk and Earl Grey depends on the amount of bergamot added to the tea, which varies per tea purveyor. For a different flavor profile, try a Pai Mu Tan (White Peony Tea), which has subtle nutty notes and pair it with a dark chocolate with nuts like pralines. (Try Rishi Earl Grey; Simpson & Vail Pai Mu Tan)
3. Select flavors and characteristics that “agitate” each other. Consider “unlikely” pairings such as, fresh cut grass and milk. Matcha is often used in milk chocolate truffles and other milk-based café beverages. Shaved dark chocolate topping green tea ice cream (traditionally made with Matcha) is also a common practice in restaurants. Try Matcha paired with white chocolate as well. Spices mixed with milk might also seem unlikely, but when you consider Masala Chai (a strong black tea blended with mixed spices simmered directly in milk) then the pairing with milk chocolate is a natural. Thanks to Starbucks, Green Tea and Chai Lattes are very popular. (Try Newby Masala Chai; T2 Organic Matcha)
When working with flavored tea and filled chocolates less is more. Flavored teas pair well with straight chocolates which reveal notes that are compatible with the flavoring in the tea, (i.e. Fruit Flavoring with Fruit Notes; Floral Scenting with Floral Notes). The alternate is also true, when pairing a flavored or filled chocolate - seek a tea which is not flavored but naturally reveals similar flavor notes to the filling in the chocolate. Incorporate this concept when using all 3 pairing suggestions mentioned above: Complement; Enhance; Agitate. Remember, there are no set rules. Take the tradition and fashion your pairings your way.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
CHOCOLATE SHOPS I FREQUENT: