Tea and Food Pairing: Which Teas Go With Which Foods?

The right tea can make a meal, and the right food can bring out flavours in a tea you never noticed. The simple rule: match delicate teas with light foods and bold teas with rich ones. Here's how to pair the main types of tea with food, whether it's breakfast, lunch or a slice of cake.

The basics of pairing tea with food

• Match the weight. Light teas go with light foods; strong teas can stand up to big flavours.
• Complement or contrast. A smoky tea with smoked food complements; a bright, fruity tea with something rich contrasts and refreshes.
• Taste the tea first. Have a sip on its own, then with the food, and see what changes.

Black tea

Black tea is the most robust tea, so it's the most versatile with food.

• Breakfast blends and Assam: a full English, bacon sandwiches, eggs and buttered toast. Their malty strength cuts through rich, salty food.
• Smoky teas such as Lapsang Souchong: smoked salmon, cheese, barbecued meats and dark chocolate.
• Lighter black teas such as Darjeeling: scones, sandwiches and fruit cakes. This is afternoon tea territory.

Green tea

Green tea is fresher and more delicate, with grassy or toasty notes, so keep the food light.

• Grassy green teas such as sencha: sushi, white fish, salads and steamed vegetables.
• Toasty or roasted green teas: rice dishes, chicken and lightly spiced stir-fries.
• Jasmine green tea: dim sum, prawns and fruit desserts.

Brew green tea a little cooler (about 80°C) so it stays sweet rather than bitter. See how to brew the perfect cup of loose leaf tea.

Herbal teas

Most herbal teas are caffeine-free, which makes them great after dinner.

• Peppermint: after a rich meal or with chocolate desserts.
• Chamomile: honey cake, shortbread or simply a quiet evening.
• Ginger and spiced blends: curries, Thai food and gingerbread.

Fruit teas

Fruit teas are bright and naturally sweet, so they're perfect with lighter desserts and summer food.

• Fruit salads, cheesecake, lemon drizzle and yoghurt.
• Iced, with a barbecue or a picnic. Try our guide to making iced tea.

Rooibos

Rooibos is smooth, naturally sweet and caffeine-free, with notes of honey and vanilla. It goes beautifully with carrot cake, banana bread, oat biscuits and anything with cinnamon. It can also take a splash of milk. Read more about the history of rooibos.

Start experimenting

There are no wrong answers: your taste buds will tell you what works. Start with a breakfast tea and a bacon sandwich, a green tea with sushi or a rooibos with a slice of cake, and go from there. For more ideas, see our cold tea cake recipe and our guide to loose leaf tea vs tea bags.