Oatmeal, apple, blueberries and matcha

A beautiful single origin chocolate from Kalimantan (Indonesia) and a roasted Japan Kukicha both bought during my visit to a Simon Lèvelt shop are a very good combination. The Krakakoa 75% chocolate is full bodied and has a nice fruity flavour. The roasted aroma of the tea brings out the spicy and fruity flavours of the chocolate in a beautiful way! In order to balance the full body of the chocolate I used a lot of tea: 10 grams in my kyusu. Filled the teapot for 2/3 with 75 degrees Celsius water and steeped it for 30-20-25-30-35-40 seconds to bring out the sweetness of the tea but keep the astringency out. Astringency and a high cacao content chocolate aren’t a great combination.

A good way to start the day. Chocolate croissant and a Japan Gyokuro. 7 grams in a Houhin, 60 centigrade water, 45 seconds.

Pickled zucchini and a beautiful fresh Lu An Gua Pian green tea. 4 grams in a glass and just keep adding 80 centigrade water.

Soybeans and Hōjicha. 8 grams of tea, 100 ml of 70 centigrade soft water, 1 minute steep. Interesting combination!

Seed and Bean 80% Ecuador chocolate has a delicate earthy flavour. Paired with a Lentedauw Mao Feng (a Yellow Mountains, Anhui green tea bought at Simon Lèvelt)makes the chocolate way more exiting. More smooth and even a little fruity! 6 grams of tea in my new Honin I bought at Postcard tea, 70 degrees Celsius soft water (very important with this tea. Many of the Simon Lèvelt shops sell the Zero water filters. A great way of filtering your water) infusions after rinsing the tea: 30-35-40-45 seconds.

White bread, fried egg and a very fresh (1 day old) Nepal Tinjure green tea. Just great! 2 grams of tea and 180 ml of 80 degrees water. Just keep on pouring water!

Popcorn and matcha aren’t the best of friends. Popcorn and Japan Genmaicha on the other hand…8 grams of tea on 500 ml soft water and 1.5 minutes of steeping time

Sweet pepper filled with a fresh cheese paired with a China Tai Ping Hou Kui. Enhances the sweetness in both tea and pepper! 5 grams of tea, 200ml 80 centigraden soft water and steeping time of 40, 30 and 50 seconds.

To bring out the umami in both tea and salsa: Japan Gyokuro. 14 grams in a Kyusu, 60 centigrade, 45 seconds