Try something new this National Tea Day
No longer reserved for a just a simple mug in the morning, today the world of tea offers incredible choice and so many exciting taste opportunities. We all have our favourites - our reliable go-tos - but how about trying something new this National Tea Day? With a choice of over 50 carefully handpicked, loose-leaf teas and herbs from around the world and a trained tea sommelier always on hand, Orange Pekoe is here to help you explore the world of tea, and discover its delicious possibilities…
For more than three hundred years, tea has played a vital part in British social life. It was originally enjoyed as a digestif to settle the stomach after dinner and was also served at breakfast as an alcohol replacement! Soon it became popular as a refreshing drink to help re-energize during the working day and it was, of course, also the focus for afternoon gatherings, where people would relax together for an hour or two, sip an elegant cup of tea and nibble on small dainty sandwiches. It all sounds rather familiar, doesn’t it? Today of course, many of these same tea ‘occasions’ still play an important role in our everyday lives.
In the past, most of us Brits would drink quite strong black teas from India, Sri Lanka and East Africa, but now there is incredible choice. This includes gentler, less punchy blacks and delicious Oolongs from China and Taiwan, white teas with their subtle floral notes, and greens that fill the mouth with amazingly smooth and mellow hints of young spring vegetables, or the heady summer aroma of freshly mown grass. And for those who prefer a slightly sweeter tea, flavoured blends provide a wonderful mixture of leaves carefully balanced with additional ingredients such as vanilla, exotic jasmine flowers, fragrant rose petals, sweet oranges, or warming spices. There really is something for everyone, and for every occasion.
Much like wine, teas can be paired to complement and even enhance certain foods. The general rule is - the stronger and more robust the flavour of the food, the stronger and more powerful the tea needs to be. The same should be applied to the other extreme; the lighter the food, the more delicate the character of the tea should be. Much like a happy couple, two people who work together in harmony can create something wonderful and bring happiness and balance to both parties; similarly, the two flavours of tea and cake, tea and sandwich, or tea and chocolate should complement each other and add an extra dimension to the entire experience.
Here are some perfect pairings that we recommend:
With scones generously covered in clotted cream and a rich fruity jam, try our beautiful Ceylon teas, our gently floral Rose Pouchong or our Sweet Vanilla black tea.
Try our light and delicate Darjeelings or Green teas such as Japanese Sencha or China Lung Ching with smoked salmon, egg mayonnaise, or cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches.
Chocolate calls for a powerful tea flavour, so partner our rich Assams, our Breakfast Blend or even our smoky Lapsang Souchong with rich chocolate cakes or gooey brownies.
For lighter cakes such as Victoria sponge, banana bread and light fruitcake, try our fragrant and refreshing Earl Grey, our beautifully spiced Chai Tea, our Cinnamon Tea or our show-stopping Afternoon Blend, with its subtle layers of malty and floral notes.
Finally, any type of Oolong tea perfectly complements anything sweet; that includes almonds, hazelnuts, cashews or other nutty flavours.
More and more people are moving away from the traditional British blends and trying something new, so why not be adventurous?! If you’ve not tried loose leaf tea at home before, our biodegradable tea bags are incredibly easy to use. Simply add the tea leaves, follow the brewing instructions on the pouch or caddy, and dispose of the bag. Once you’ve experienced the joy of loose leaf at home, you’ll never look back!
Whichever tea you decide to try, take time to really focus on it; smell the liquor, enjoy its colour and clarity, let the taste develop on your tongue and appreciate the experience as a special time of quiet, calm and curiosity. You never know - you might surprise yourself and discover teas that you absolutely love, and which will add a whole new level of enjoyment to your cherished tea moments.
National Tea Day is on 21st April 2021. The event aims to reignite Britain’s passion for tea and also supports Mind, the UK’s leading mental health charity, helping to raise awareness around the benefits of sharing a cup of tea with friends or family to talk about whatever’s on your mind. To celebrate National Tea Day, Orange Pekoe is offering 10% off online using the code TEALOVER10 (valid until Sunday 25th April 2021).