Japanese green tea complements fresh fish just like French wines go best with French dishes. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Or, see how the peppermint flavor notes work with dishes containing pine nuts, like pesto, says Chan. 6 of 9 Crepes + Matcha In Japan, green tea is mostly steamed resulting in a vegetal and slightly sweet taste while in China and Korea, it may be pan fired or roasted which creates a nutty flavor. Enjoy a handful with a cup of refreshing peppermint tea. "The best pairings are not only when the flavors complement but when they also help to enhance the taste of the other," she says. 1: Match teas and foods from similar origins, says Chan. All Rights Reserved. Try a hot cup of sencha with steamed salmon, which is packed with healthy omega-3s and protein, soy sauce, and rice. "The best pairings are not only when the flavors complement but when they also help to enhance the taste of the other," she says. You can dive into plenty of different pairings within the oolong category alone, but Chan likes roasted chicken best. When pairing white tea with a meal, make sure it’s a plain salad or very lightly seasoned seafood. This means that the classic Japanese combination of matcha and adzuki beans, while delicious, may not be the best choice if you’re looking for a healthy boost to go with dessert. Pairing Japanese teas with food of similar flavor. Cooking Light is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. Unlike green or black tea, you don’t have to worry about pairing a fruity white tea with the right dessert. You can do the same with tea. Hundreds of delicious recipes, paired with simple sides, that can be on your table in 45 minutes or less. Discover these six pairings that deliver a healthy way to tap into complementary flavors, Delicious Tea and Food Pairings to Boost Your Health. Worst Pairing: IronResearchers may have discovered the Kryptonite to this superfood, as a March 2016 Penn State study found that consuming green tea with iron-rich foods causes EGCG to bind with iron and lose its antioxidant effects in the process. "Pine nuts are considered a healthy fat and are also a good source of protein, vitamins K and E, copper and manganese, and fiber," Blake says. Chan grew up in a traditional Chinese family and recalls enjoying freshly made ginger tea after dinner. Green tea got its name for the color of the leaves it came from. Once found only in Japanese restaurants and specialty shops, the powdered green tea is now a Starbucks mainstay and recently made an appearance as Shake Shack’s custard of the week. Tea-pairing rule No. Dinner Tonight: Quick and Healthy Menus in 45 Minutes (or Less), Chocolate-Dipped Whole-Wheat Matcha Shortbread. © Copyright 2020 Meredith Corporation. According to a Purdue University study, green tea’s antioxidants (called catechins) become unstable in non-acidic environments like the intestines, so less than 20 percent of the goodies you sip remain after digestion. This means that the classic Japanese combination of matcha and adzuki beans, while delicious, may not be the best choice if you’re looking … Here’s how. Who ever said that chicken wings, doughnuts, and pizza couldn't be healthy? "It's a really clean, simple, and elegant meal," she says. (We also love these Healthy Chocolate Dessert Recipes. Suggestions: Bai Mu Dan + basmati rice, light fish and basic salads; Green Tea "The major ingredients in chai—black tea, cinnamon, ginger, clove, cardamom, and black pepper—are a combination of powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatories," says Lauren Blake, a registered dietitian at The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. Because of the extremely subtle flavor of white teas, we recommend pairing them with only the mildest of flavors, so as to not miss the sweetness that is so loved in white tea. Think antioxidant-rich dark chocolate, a perfectly ripe grapefruit, or lemon flavors. If brewed properly, green tea shouldn’t taste bitter at all. But here’s the good news. "There are hundreds of different types of tea that fall into these categories," says Chan. The Best and Worst Matcha Pairings, According to Science. © Copyright 2020 Meredith Corporation. "We always had it with dried fruits like persimmons and winter melon, which is believed to help digestion after a meal," she says. Tea-pairing rule No. White Tea. Most green teas, like sencha, come from Japan, so they work well with Japanese dishes, Chan says. Best Pairing: CitrusTry adding a squeeze of lemon to your next cup of matcha, as doing so could greatly increase the amount of antioxidants available for absorption. Most green teas in Japan are steamed, so that they have a vegetal taste and a hint of seaweed. this website. Ginger boasts some major digestion benefits on its own: It aids in digestion and helps soothe stomach issues like nausea and motion sickness, says Blake. "Earl Grey is essentially a black tea that has been scented with bergamot oil, so you'll want to pair this with a dish that either has citrus notes or complements citrus notes," says tea specialist Kathy YL Chan. Tea Pairings. "My favorite types of oolong teas have a distinct roasted note, which naturally goes well with a whole roasted chicken," she says. "The tea brings out the sweetness of the chicken and vice versa." Worst Pairing: IronResearchers may have discovered the Kryptonite to this superfood, as a March 2016 Penn State study found that consuming green tea with iron-rich foods causes EGCG to bind with iron and lose its antioxidant effects in the process. (Try one of these 12 Quick, Delicious Chicken Recipes for Lunch.). 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. Our 31-day calendar of meals and tips shows you how to cook more and love it with fun, family-friendly meals that come together quickly and deliciously. This popularity surge comes as no surprise to us, as matcha is as healthy a drink as you can find. Step aside, fancy tasting menus with wine pairings. Oolong, for example, could be a light or dark roast, aged or young, picked in the winter during peak sweetness or in the summer for an entirely different flavor.