Tea: it’s what’s for dinner… sort of… sometimes. The most common way to consume tea these days, as we are surely all aware, is to drink it. Which is just the same as it always has been and probably always will be. But, as we have noted in these pages in the past, tea can also be used as an exceptional culinary ingredient in a wide variety of sweet and savory dishes.
The ways in which premium tea leaves can be used in cuisine are limited only by your culinary imagination. It works beautifully in dessert, such as this comforting Chai Tea Rice Pudding recipe on TimesLive, which makes clever use of a fragrant, authentic spicy masala chai loose leaf tea as the primary flavor component. Alternatively, you can explore a myriad of other creative infusions highlighted on Salada Tea’s interactive recipe portal, which includes step-by-step video instructions on how to seamlessly incorporate tea into healthy vegetable soups, breakfast smoothies, and evening martinis.
If livening up a martini sounds like a peculiar use for your morning leaves, then you may not be aware of all of the unique craft varieties of tea that are flavored with fine spirits—and vice versa. For another sophisticated variation on the cocktail theme, take a look at the feature on Audrey Saunders’ original Earl Grey MarTEAni recipe. This modern mixology classic relies on a base of high-proof gin infused directly with a premium organic Earl Grey loose leaf tea with real bergamot, which was recently celebrated in New York Magazine.
If fine Chinese oolong tea and premium vodka are more to your personal liking, you will want to take a sip of Absolut’s innovative “Wild Tea” release. As the luxury lifestyle site Luxist recently pointed out, the renowned vodka maker expanded their immense range of flavored spirits by launching a blend that marries smooth alcohol with earthy Chinese oolong tea leaves, delicate elderflower, crisp red apples, and bright citrus notes.
If you prefer a little less of the hard stuff and a little more authentic tea flavor, you can opt for loose leaf blends that have been masterfully marinated in the essence of fine spirits. Take whiskey, for example, which has found its way into a pair of highly sought-after flavored teas.
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Spirit-Inspired Tea Alternatives
Steven Smith Teamaker Barrel-Aged Blends — An inventive, small-batch release by legendary artisan blender Steven Smith (formerly the creative force behind Tazo Tea) that replicates the smoky, oaky notes of fine whiskey. Discover the origin story behind this experimental batch on Eater Portland’s Twelve Days of Eater showcase.
Edinburgh Tea & Coffee Company Whisky Tea — Imported straight from Scotland, this blend features smooth, pure China black leaf tea that is meticulously marinated in a traditional Scottish malt whisky flavor. It imparts the unmistakable aroma of a fine single malt without a drop of actual alcohol. You can view the signature tin on the Edinburgh Tea & Coffee Company boutique shop.
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Whether you are shaking up an elegant tea-infused cocktail for your next evening gathering or brewing a non-alcoholic cup of whiskey-scented black tea on a cold night, it is clear that tea is no longer confined strictly to the breakfast table. It adds a wonderful depth of flavor, natural tannins, and complex aromas to almost anything it touches.
Hope you have enjoyed this culinary tea tease and feel tempted to experiment with at least one of these unique combinations. Enjoy!
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