How to Pair Tea with a Thanksgiving Meal

If you're hosting Thanksgiving this year, you probably are spending some time thinking about the dishes your make - some traditional "must-haves" or maybe something new to try...and planning your shopping list to make sure you have everything you need. 

If you're a tea lover, or will be having some tea-loving guests, you'll want to make sure you have their favorite tea. Did you know that tea can be paired with your Thanksgiving meal? Read on for some recommendations for teas to pair with your menu.

How to make sure the tea you serve complements your delicious meal

Pairing the perfect tea with your menu can sound confusing, but it really follows the same concept as pairing wines with particular dishes. The most important thing to consider is how the tea will complement, improve, and enhance the flavor of your meal. If a tea is too strong or astringent, it can kill the taste of a light and delicate dishes and in the same respect, if your tea is too light it can be completely overpowered by heavy, spicy food.

To help you make your choices, here are some basic pairing ideas. This is just a starting point, you can always adjust based on your personal preferences...

• White Tea should be enjoyed on its own before or after your meal, maybe relaxing by the fire
• Green Tea goes well with fish or fried dishes, steamed vegetables, soft creamy desserts, and fresh fruit.
• Oolong Tea also can be enjoyed alone or with simple pastries, chocolate, honey, and nuts
• Black Tea or Chai Tea will complement cheese, meat (turkey, ham, beef or pork), pasta, jams, sweet pastries, and spicy dishes

Based on these suggestions, black teas and chai teas are most likely a trusted go-to for a traditional Thanksgiving meal. These two types are more robust and pair nicely with heavier foods. 

Below is our 2021 update of recommendations to make your Thanksgiving meal unforgettable!

Golden Monkey Tea  Enjoy the flavor of roasted apples, walnut, cocoa, and spice notes giving this tea a sweet and savory aroma with a rich, coating texture and a smooth, delicate mouthfeel. As the tea cools, a savory, malty, full-mouthed, roasted flavor develops, with a hint of smoke.
Earl Grey Creme A very popular black tea is blended with orange peels, and blue cornflowers, with the warm flavors of vanilla and cream, softening the edge off the citrus notes of a traditional Earl Grey tea.
White Ayurvedic Chai A perfect pairing for your pumpkin or pecan pie with a warm, mellow blend of cinnamon bark, ginger root, lemongrass, cardamom, black peppercorn, cloves, dried coconut, and pineapple pieces. If you want a fuller flavor, try blending it with our Samurai Spirit Maté. The chai spices and tropical fruit undertones blend into a graceful mosaic of flavors.
Not a dessert lover? Steep a cup of Hazelnut Caramel instead! A perfect holiday tea. The chestnut and hazelnut flavors add a warm aroma with undertones of caramel and cocoa. Can you imagine a better caffeine-free tea to enjoy after your Thanksgiving meal?
Welcome in the holidays with a cup of Apple Cider Hot Toddy! A bright and festive wintry-spiced herbal tea. Full of the classic holiday flavors of orange, cranberry, cinnamon, a hint of ginger, and a bit of tartness from the hibiscus, this cup of Apple Cider Hot Toddy will keep you warm through the holiday months ahead.

Order today so you can check one more thing off your list and relax...

Love those mashed potatoes a little too much? Try some Ginseng Green tea to help aid digestion.
Missing someone and need some calm? Try some Egyptian Chamomile Tea to settle your mind so you can sleep.
Couldn't decide between pumpkin or pecan pie? So you had a little slice of both? Peppermint is known to help most stomach ailments.
Help your body stay healthy before the guests arrive with Immunity Boost Tea  Be sure you're ready to host (or ready to travel) with this immunity-boosting tea. A blend of green tea, ginger, licorice, mint, and fennel can help boost your immune health and speed up your recovery. Stress levels can break down your immune system function. Just steep and sip a cup on those days you're feeling a little off your game.

Whatever you serve, wherever you go, we at Tealeavz hope you have a wonderfully delicious and safe Thanksgiving no matter who you're with or how you celebrate.

🧡