A new star is shining in the culinary gourmet sky: Tea Pairing. For this year’s International Tea Day on May 21st, we partnered with the renowned Michelin-starred restaurant Cookies Cream to create a unique experience—a gourmet menu paired with alcohol-free tea. This luxurious trend not only celebrates tea as an art form but also paves new paths for modern fine dining. We’ll explore the origins of this food pairing trend, the opportunities and potential of alcohol-free tea pairings in fine dining, and share our personal recommendations for perfect tea pairings.
How a Tea Pairing Menu Comes to Life: Behind the Scenes
For our exclusive menu for International Tea Day, three creative minds came together. Eduardo Molina, our Head of Tea Experience, Chef Nicholas Hahn, and Bar Chef Sam Doyle from Cookies Cream collaborated with a common goal: to create an alcohol-free pairing featuring tea and to give this complex beverage the space it deserves.
Creative Minds at Work: Fine Dining Meets Fine Tea
Tea has long been underestimated in fine dining—a sentiment echoed by Nicholas Hahn, chef at Cookies Cream: "Tea introduces a new language—herbal, smoky, floral, sometimes even umami. For me, it is a creative playground." He stresses the importance of effective food pairings: “Drinks should not only accompany but also narrate, enhance, and contrast. It’s a dialogue between kitchen and bar.” Sam Doyle, the bar chef, shares this view, seeing food pairing as part of the surprise element: "A great pairing brings out nuances you might not notice otherwise and creates a more immersive experience." Sam also observes a shift toward sophisticated, alcohol-free alternatives, noting, “There’s something meditative about tea. It invites guests to slow down and really focus on the flavors. For us, it’s also a chance to open minds and show that fine dining doesn’t need alcohol to feel indulgent or exciting.”
The Art of Tea Pairing: Our Recommendations
Our tea expert Eduardo Molina was responsible for the unique tea pairings for the exclusive seven-course menu. He explains why tea is a special choice for gourmet menus: "Tea is a remarkably versatile and complex beverage that offers a wide spectrum of flavors, aromas, and textures—much like wine.” In an elegant setting, tea reveals its full magic, with its depth and complexity making it perfect for high-end cuisine.
Here are our personal recommendations for food pairings with tea:
- Green Tea: Seafood and vegetable dishes
- Black Tea: Hearty meats and spicy foods
- White Tea: Delicate appetizers and subtle flavors
- Oolong Tea: Asian cuisine and grilled vegetables
- Pu-Erh Tea: Earthy dishes and dark chocolate
- Herbal Teas: Desserts and light dishes
The Secret of a Successful Food Pairing
Food pairing is all about combining dishes and drinks so that their diverse flavors complement each other richly. In fine dining, this trend has become essential. Traditionally, the focus was on matching wines with courses. However, the demand for alcohol-free alternatives is growing. Innovative ideas are blossoming in fine dining to captivate guests, and this is where our delicious tea comes into play!
The Science Behind Flavors: Culinary Revelations
Experts in food pairing use the complex principles of flavor science. A well-paired accompaniment enhances the dish perfectly, creating a complete taste experience. Food pairing aligns existing flavor profiles artfully. This is where tea shines: every tea, be it white, oolong, or black, has a unique aroma profile that, when used skillfully, supports the dish’s nuances and creates an unparalleled taste sensation.
From Food Pairing to Tea Pairing: An Innovation in the Gourmet Scene
Tea pairing borrows from the fundamentals of classical food pairing while bringing the unique notes of our versatile beverage into play. With its aromatic complexity ranging from floral to fruity to woody notes, tea offers countless possibilities for exciting food pairings. Its ability to unfold various flavors, whether served warm or cold, makes it a flexible, unique component suitable for any season. In summer, cold brew teas bring a refreshing lightness. Tea expert Eduardo Molina is adamant: “These new formats challenge the way we think about tea and invite people to experience it with fresh eyes — as a refined, modern, and sensory-rich beverage.”
Why Tea is the New Must-have in Fine Dining
Rethinking food pairing: teas are now accompanying culinary menus in fine dining. A clear trend is emerging: fine dining is increasingly embracing alcohol-free alternatives and conscious enjoyment. Tea disposes of its role as a side character and earns its rightful place at the gourmet table as a serious, culinary experience. Is tea the secret star in the gourmet world? One thing is certain: with its complexity of aromas without compromising on quality, tea surprises us with new possibilities in an elegant way.
