Tea Blog

When you think of a tea totaler, the last thing in the world that it brings to mind is a fine glass of wine. But if you think about it, these two seemingly polar opposites are probably much more alike than they are different.

Among the things that both tea and wine have in common are the following:

• Both tea and wine are organic. They are harvested and produced from plants.
• Their flavor and quality is greatly affected by the region in which they are grown as well as the skill with which they are processed.
• They both come from cultures rich in history and tradition, and each is interwoven into the culture, the history and the economy of its regions.
• Along with their histories, both drinks have a ceremonial component. Framed with strict guidelines from storage to preparation to service to drinking.
• Tasters for each beverage have a very specific script that they follow, and they each have their own vocabulary to describe their findings.
• Each beverage is surrounded by experts at every turn from planting to the table; they include expert growers, producers and tasters.
• Tea and wine each require special service pieces designed to enhance the culinary experience of each.
• Both drinks have been proven to have natural qualities that upon their consumption help improve health.
• Not only do they both pair nicely with food, but they also translate to each other through food. For example, black teas go well with foods that normally pair with red wines like meat, curries and desserts; oolong teas and green teas compliment foods that are normally paired with white wines.

So tea and wine not only have many similarities, but the can actually work in each other’s stead at virtually any meal. Oh, and one more thing that they both share, if you spill them on your carpet – they make a doozie of a stain!