Learning What To Eat With Green Tea :The Art of Tea Pairing

Green tea is a delicious beverage on its own, but what to eat with green tea is a burning question. Fortunately, green tea can be paired with a variety of foods for an even more enjoyable experience. Some people drink green tea to help them lose weight, while others enjoy its health benefits. No matter your reason for drinking green tea, you'll want to ensure you pair it with the right foods. This article will discuss some of the best food pairings for green tea.

What Is Green Tea?

The leaves of green tea come from a tea plant called Camellia sinensis. This plant originated in the southwest forest region of China. It thrives best in high elevations with cooler temperatures. Green tea tastes sweeter and softer than the other type of tea plant called Camellia sinensis assamica, which is used for black teas. Japan and China produce the majority of green tea in the world, meaning that if you're looking for a good cup of green tea, these are likely the best places to start. While there are many different types of Tea, we will begin this tea pairing journey with green tea for your better understanding. 

Different Flavors of Green Tea With Different Food Pairings

Before we get to know what to eat with green tea, let's learn about the commonly used green tea flavors:

This tea originates from Japan. One of the most common vegetal green teas you can find is the Sencha. With a grassy flavor similar to seaweed, it's no wonder this tea is commonly paired with seafood. The Japanese love to pair this flavor of green tea with sushi.

This type of green tea is common in China. As the name suggests, it gets slightly smokey from its manufacturing process. As a result, it's commonly paired with food with more robust flavors, such as meats.

Fruity green tea is most commonly associated with countries such as India and Sri Lanka. This type of green tea pairs well with light meats such as chicken. Note that it's not recommended to pair fruity green tea with greasy or deep-fried food, as it will overwhelm the tea's natural sweetness. Fruity green tea can also be used as an iced tea, thanks to its natural sweetness.

What To Eat With Green Tea? : Foods You Can Try

Green tea lovers are always in a dilemma and can't figure out what to eat with green tea. Since green tea is a well-known beverage worldwide, people like mixing it with various foods to give their taste buds eternal joy. If you want to know about green tea pairings with tasty food, you're in for a treat. Here are some of the most excellent foods you can take with green tea:

If you're drinking vegetal green tea, like Sencha, then pairing it with seafood is suitable for the palate. The light and refreshing taste of green tea can bring out the umami in seafood. Try this pairing with sashimi, sushi, or other seafood dishes.

If you're health-conscious, combining green tea with Japanese foods can do wonders for your health. You can consider Japanese noodles, seafood, or rice dishes with your green tea. Again, Sencha tea works best with this food since it has a vegetal taste.

What to eat with green tea? How about green tea and desserts? It's a rather weird combo, but it works! The bitterness of green tea can actually complement the sweetness of chocolate desserts. This is a heavenly combination for all those with a sweet tooth. Try this pairing with chocolate cake, brownies, or other chocolate desserts.

This is an excellent pairing if you're looking for something savory. The smoky taste of barbecue can greatly contrast with the grassy taste of green tea. This is a perfect option if you're inviting friends over for dinner. You can try this pairing with chicken, beef, or pork. Furthermore, this combo works wonders as an alternative to beer. So, if you're trying to get rid of drinking or smoking, try green tea with barbeque foods.

The blend of pan-fried chicken and green tea is a favorite among Chinese cuisines. The savory taste of chicken can greatly contrast with the bitterness of green tea. You can try this pairing with any pan-fried chicken dish. Moreover, when eating pan-fried chicken, the greasy mouthfeel of green tea is reduced.

If you have a sweet tooth but want to avoid sugary desserts, try pairing green tea with unsweetened pastries. The sweetness of the pastry can be a great contrast to the bitterness of green tea. You can try this pairing with scones, muffins, or any other unsweetened pastry.

Green tea is a great way to enjoy fruit salads. Two of the best things about pairing green tea with fruit salads are healthy nutrients and suppressing sugar cravings. The antioxidants in green tea can help you get the most out of the nutrients in the fruit. Moreover, the sweetness of the fruits can greatly contrast the bitterness of green tea. Try this pairing with fruit salad, such as watermelon, strawberry, or mango.

One of the most common answers to the question of what to eat with green tea is sandwiches. The light and refreshing taste of green tea can be a great contrast to the heaviness of sandwiches. Try this pairing with sandwiches, such as chicken, vegetables, or beef.

Uncommon Food Pairing With Rare Tea

When it comes to tea, there are endless possibilities for what to pair it with. But what about when you want to get a little bit more creative? Here are some rarer food pairings you may not have thought of before.

This may sound like an odd combination, but the creamy avocado pairs perfectly with the slightly bitter green tea. Plus, it's a great way to get your healthy fats in for the day.

If you're looking for a rich, decadent pairing, look no further than Puerh tea and dark chocolate. The earthy flavors of the tea go perfectly with the sweetness of the chocolate. Learn more about foods that pair with Pu-erh tea to expand your tea knowledge. 

This is a classic pairing that is often overlooked. The floral notes of the oolong tea are a perfect match for the creamy, tangy goat cheese.

This is a light, refreshing pairing that is perfect for summer. The sweetness of the strawberries complements the subtle flavors of the white tea. 

So, next time you're looking for something new to pair with your tea, don't be afraid to think outside the box.

Conclusion

When we try to answer the question of what to eat with green tea? The possibilities are endless. You can try green tea with seafood, Japanese food, chocolate desserts, barbeque dinner, pan-fried chicken, unsweetened pastries, fruit salads, or sandwiches. Pairing food with green tea results in a heavenly combination for people who are health conscious. So, what are you waiting for? Find your food to pair with green tea today!