Selecting the perfect teas to go with your Thanksgiving meal

What are you serving this year for Thanksgiving? Is it a traditional menu with recipes that have been in the family for generations? Or are you starting your own unique traditions? 

Not hosting this year? What are you bringing to your family or friends' home?

Have you thought of including some loose leaf teas to complement your delicious meal?

Pairing the perfect tea with your menu can sound confusing, but it really follows the same concept as pairing of 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 are some recommendations to make your Thanksgiving meal unforgettable!

Hibiscus Black Ceylon  Ceylon black tea is very crisp and palate cleansing. Bold with medium tannins and notes of spice and lemon to pair perfectly with your beautifully roasted Turkey. Pause and enjoy the layer of flavors of the fruit and spiced aroma. The black tea makes it rich, the hibiscus makes it tangy.
Earl Grey Vanilla 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 this with our Samurai Spirit Maté. The chai spices and tropical fruit undertones blend into a graceful mosaic of flavors.
Some guests not dessert lovers? (I know, they do exist! My sister is one of them!) Steep some Pumpkin Spice Chai in place of dessert! This herbal honeybush tea with Masala chai spices, cinnamon bark, cardamom, ginger, cocoa nibs and a hint of pumpkin is the perfect steep for after dinner and maybe offer some special cheese and nut selections. The crisp and tangy-sweet flavor balances with the smooth honeybush flavor.
After your meal try our NEW Fireside blend 🍁🔥 Honeybush, hazelnut and cocoa nibs have been carefully blended with aniseed, cinnamon, clove and orange peel. The flavor rolls over your buds with apples and rose hips for a little sweetness and lapsang and red peppercorn for a hint of smoke. Not too sweet or smokey. Just right. With a low level of caffeine it is a perfect way to wrap up the evening.

PLUS a few recommendations to have on hand for Thanksgiving.
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 & Ginger to help aid digestion.
Stressful dinner topics? Try some Egyptian Goddess to settle your stomach and 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.
A little relaxed on your diet goals? Give your metabolism and fat burning a boost with some green tea like our Apricot Verde.

Whatever you serve, wherever you go, we at Tealeavz hope you have a wonderfully delicious and safe Thanksgiving whether you travel or celebrate with family and friends at your home.

🧡