Loose Leaf Tea and Chocolate Pairing

Loose leaf tea and chocolate pairing is like uniting a married couple, they both complement each other.
Loose leaf tea and chocolate both carry high notes, floral essence, astringency and tannin.  Both loose leaf tea and chocolate contain caffeine and depending on the quantity may vary with some containing more caffeine and others less.
The multi flavour's of loose leaf black tea range from fruit to flora to an earthy note.  Unlike loose leaf green tea, their notes tend to be sweeter and grassy in flavour.
Loose leaf tea and chocolates are both high in antioxidants and are considered to act as an antidote for emotional stress.
Loose leaf black tea such a Russian Caravan and Lapsong Souchong contain a smoky flavour that is very similar to the crackling ambers of a campfire.
British loose leaf black teas blends such as Irish, English, Earl Grey and Afternoon tea are usually a selected mixture of Kenyan, Sri Lankan and tea from China.  It usually gives a rich, coppery flavour with a strong, robust aroma.
Loose leaf green tea from China is produced in 16 regions.  Most names given to the different teas grown in China are commonly named after villages, gardens, the specific times of year or season and legendary people. China produces a vast selection of different loose leaf teas such as Oolong, Yellow, Black, Green and White tea.  Most green teas are pale in color after they are brewed and offer a clean yet sweet refreshing flavour.
Japan is well known for its production of fragrant loose leaf green tea.  In comparison to tea grown in Japan versus tea grown in China, Japanese loose leaf tea is much darker in colour and more fragrant in aroma.  The plantations are grown on very high and gently rolling countryside that is close to the rivers.  The hot sunshine mixed with the misty climate enhances waves of greenery.  Between 2 to 4 crops of loose leaf are harvested during the year and the leaves are plucked by mechanical machines, therefore elevating the manual process of plucking the leaves by hand.
Sri Lanka is well known for the wonderful coppery and flavourful tea that it produces year round.   Although the total loose leaf tea growing area is rather small, the amounts of tea estates are many.  The estates range from 460 – 2450 meters high and they house six main growing regions.
Many people refer to loose leaf tea grown in Sri Lanka as “Ceylon” tea however it is correctly names “Sri Lankan Tea”.
Some of the finest Orange Pekoe loose leaf tea is grown in Dimbula which is located on the medium to high growing region west of the central mountains.
Sri Lanka produces some of the most excellent tea possible.  The loose leaf tea estates and gardens grow loose leaf tea that is noted for its thick caramel finish and light body flavour.
Taiwan has some of the most popular loose leaf tea gardens in the world where the highest quality of loose leaf Green, Black and Oolong teas are cultivated.  Most of the loose leaf tea gardens are referred to as “Tea Boutiques” because the owners who are named “Tea Masters” dictate the entire process with passing down their skills and secret methods to the next generation in order to produce their prized family tea.  The tea gardens and estates are controlled by local collectives to ensure the standards remain high.
The bush flushes 5 times between April to December.  The best quality is plucked between 12:00 – 4:00 pm. The Oolong loose leaf tea grown in Taiwan is much sweeter with a predominant flower flavour.
India is well known for its hardy, botanical gardens that grow a wide variety of loose leaf tea.  India has increased its production as an exporter to worldwide destinations by 250% since 1950 and that makes India the largest loose leaf tea producer, which employs more than 1.1 million workers.
India produces orthodox and cut and torn and curled loose leaf tea, also known or referred to as CTC tea.  CTC tea is the most common tea dust or fannings used in tea bags.  India’s Tea Board works with the loose leaf tea growers to avoid any misleading representations where all of the loose leaf tea grown in the region is labeled as “pure” are guaranteed and that they are not blended with any other loose leaf, which would lower the quality of tea.
Pairing loose leaf tea and chocolate is fairly new to the industry and is considered to be very personal as it depends on everyone’s individual palate.
Pairing loose leaf tea and chocolate is subjective and this event is focused on giving guidance for pairing and helps you to make better choices.