Soybeans and Hōjicha

In my Simon Lévelt shopping basket Il cuore di Mandorla. I tried many different combinations. Most black teas pair good but I was looking for a more exciting result. Their Otsuka Fukamushi Sencha gave me the result I was looking for. The umami of the tea did great things to the orange and almond flavours of the Mandorla. 5 grams in my hohin, 5 infusions of 1 second combined, water temperature of 60 degrees Celsius. A real tread!

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.

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

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

Wow what a beautiful combination

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.

Brings our the puffed rice flavour in the waffle and the umami in the tea! Like matcha & popcorn. Sounds like blasphemy but I guess it will be a great combination

Shortbread meets a Myanmar Pindaya green tea. 9 grams on 110 ml 70 centigrade water. Infusion time of 40-45-50 seconds.

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