9 Tea And Takeout Pairings You Need In Your Life
Winter is coming.
As the colder months set in, all we want to do is melt into the couch with a cup of tea and a good meal. But we certainly don't blame you if the last thing you want to do is cook. Boiling water and perusing Seamless, though? Doable. We spoke to Cynthia Gold, a tea sommelier at Boston restaurant L'Espalier, and Gretchen Iler, a certified tea specialist, to get their recs for the best tea-plus-takeout pairings.
Dim Sum + Ginger Tea
From dumplings to steamed buns, the luscious fats of traditional Chinese dishes balance beautifully with teas that work as digestives — like ginger tea. Blend it together with mint tea for a robust, soothing combination.
Buffalo Wings + Masala Chai
The heat of buffalo chicken wings is great for warming up a frigid night. The perfect tea pairing? Masala chai. The spicy undertones of the aromatic Indian tea enhances the wings' tangy kick.
Middle Eastern + Mint Tea
When you're diving into dishes like lamb kebabs, herbal chopped salads, and falafel, a mint tea — like Lipton's Green Tea with Mint — is a robust yet refreshing match to the dishes' lighter flavors.
Pizza + Black Tea
There's nothing like sinking your teeth into a thick slice of cheesy goodness on a night in. Complement your favorite 'za with a cup of full-bodied black tea. If you're going for a lighter pizza (i.e., one with a thin crust and more delicate toppings), try a smoky green tea.
Sushi + Genmaicha
For a lighter winter meal involving sushi, genmaicha tea is your best bet. The green tea's vegetal, earthy flavor pairs well with fish and soy sauce, and its toasted brown rice flavor rounds off the sweet, vinegary sushi rice.
Crepes + Matcha
A fruity darjeeling tea has muscatel notes that bring out the French pancakes' sweetest flavors. Another nice pairing is matcha tea, like Lipton's Matcha Green Tea: Its creaminess makes the crepes even more comforting.
Hamburgers + Black Tea
A juicy burger is always a choice way to beat the winter blues. Serve up a pot of smoky black tea; the bold, oaky undertones make it the best pairing for meat-based, char-grilled dishes.
Indian Food + Darjeeling
Indian takeout is the ultimate cold-weather warm up. Bright darjeelings are super flexible, fruity teas that go well with curried foods, especially tomato-based curries and spicy, comforting entrées like chicken tikka masala and palak paneer.
Burritos + Irish Breakfast Tea
When the craving for a hearty burrito hits, try an Irish Breakfast Tea. It's made with a black tea called assam, and its malty flavor mingles amazingly well with chilies.
