Tea is an art form. Yes, you will find people who occasionally enjoy a cup because of friends’ influences or generational natural cures for the cold, but the diehards are, for a turn of phrase, hard to please.
There are endless flavors you can enjoy with every sip. It is like being transported to different lands with misty mountains in the morning and sun-drenched plains at night. Adding some aromatic spices to these flavor pairings amps up the tasting experience and imbues every cup with incredible flavors. At Raw Nature Cuisine, we want to help you get a glimpse into that world by providing some insight into different tea profiles paired with our spices.
Understanding the various tea profiles goes a long way to helping you here. There are some basic teas that fill the world with their exotic flavors. They include:
Green Tea
Black Tea
Oolong Tea
White Tea
Herbal Tea
In every instance, you will find a different cultural savory twist. For example, green tea tastes more organic with grassy notes, while black tea is slightly more bitter and has a robust flavor profile. Recognizing the nuances of these differences is how you best pair aromatic spices with your next warm cup.
To be clear, there are endless possibilities of flavor pairing. Here are some that work well with our ingredients.
Green Tea
This drink option has grassy notes and a myriad of health benefits because it contains so many plant-based antioxidants. It tends to have a more delicate nature and should never be over-brewed (burnt).
If you want a bit more zing to your green tea, try adding some Minced Garlic for a savory twist or fresh Parsley Flakes for a more refreshing tone. Every sip will become a rejuvenating experience you’ll come back to time and time again.
Black Tea
Black tea contains theaflavins, which help to lower blood cholesterol and can reduce the risk of heart disease by up to 8%. The trick here is robustness. You want to pair the sharp, bitter taste of black tea with warmer spices.
A good start is cinnamon. This is relatively easy to accomplish by dusting your cup’s base before pouring in the hot water. However, we also suggest a sprinkle of Black Pepper Butcher Cut for even more zing, ensuring your morning gets a fiery start.
Oolong Tea
Here is the middle point between green and black teas. It is more versatile compared to most and can have a flavor profile that ranges from sweet and fruity to woody and thick – depending on where you source your tea from.
Boost the overall feel of this tea by adding a Bay Leaf Whole for more earthy tones. You can also go with fragrant notes of Rosemary Whole for an elevated fruit taste. Just don’t over brew. Oolong doesn’t sit well if it’s unattended for too long.
White Tea
White tea tends to be the least processed of any other form of tea. It is high in antioxidants and low in additions or chemicals, even from the mass-produced brands. If you are new to tea, this is a decent starting point because it is gentle on the tastebuds.
As for spice pairings, try out some Thyme Whole for a gentle herbal undertone. If you have a special occasion coming up, add some Saffron Whole for a luxurious elixir and pour it over ice or combine it with some spirits for the holidays.
Herbal Teas
Finally, let’s talk about the typical herbal tea. The challenge here is you have a ton of variety. Everyone seems to have a favorite, so you’ll need to experiment a bit to find the right combination that works for you.
To start, try sipping on chamomile or rooibos with a little Turmeric Ground that will give it a golden hue and a health boost. You can also go with some Vadouvan French Curry Spice if you prefer something more exotic and surprising - yet caffeine-free.
Wrapping Up
The journey of pairing teas with spices offers endless possibilities. It's a dance of flavors, a symphony of aromas, and, most importantly, an experience that's uniquely yours. Here are some simple instructions for brewing that should help:
Green tea - 1-3 minutes at 175°F (80°C)
Black tea - 3-5 minutes at 200°F (93°C)
Oolong tea - 3-5 minutes (can be steeped multiple times) at 185°F - 205°F
White tea - 2-5 minutes at 185°F (85°C)
Herbal teas (Note: Herbal teas can vary significantly in brewing time and temperature based on the specific ingredients) 5-7 minutes at 212°F (100°C)
Take your time and have fun. Use our premium spices at Raw Nature Cuisine and enjoy your next cuppa at any time of day or night.
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