Chocolate and tea: The surprising health duo you need to know
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As we get older, making healthier choices becomes more important. Surprisingly, one delicious pairing might offer more benefits than your favorite glass of wine.
Could this indulgent duo be the next big health secret?
The histories of tea and chocolate are steeped in legend and tradition, with tea's origins dating back to 2737 B.C. in China and chocolate's use in Ecuador traced to over 5,300 years ago.
These two have not only delighted palates for millennia but have also been recognized for their medicinal properties since the 17th century.
Today, experts are shining a light on the health advantages of pairing chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, with tea.
Piotr Miga, a tea sommelier from greater Boston, emphasizes that both are rich in antioxidant polyphenols.
These powerful compounds are known to combat free radicals, potentially reducing the risk of cancer and offering a host of other health benefits.
Healthline reports that the antioxidants and flavanols in cocoa and dark chocolate can reduce inflammation and contribute to the health of endothelial cells, which line your arteries.
Similarly, popular teas like green tea, ginger, and rosehip are celebrated for their anti-inflammatory properties and their ability to prevent oxidative damage.
While we often enjoy tea and chocolate at the end of a meal or on special occasions like Valentine’s Day, their consumption can be more than just a sweet finish. It can be a conscious choice for better health.
The process of pairing chocolate with tea is akin to the art of wine and food pairings.
Amy Sherman, a tea enthusiast and editor-in-chief of The Chocolate Professor, advises that you can either contrast or complement flavors.
The variety of chocolate and tea types allows for endless experimentation.
For example, Sherman agrees with Miga that dark chocolate and black tea are a match made in heaven.
She also suggests that Earl Grey tea, with its citrusy bergamot flavor, creates a beautiful combination with chocolate.
For those who enjoy a chocolate mint, Sherman recommends pairing it with mint tea to enhance the flavor or with a robust black tea to cut through the mintiness.
When it comes to the intense sweetness of chocolate caramel, a smoky black tea like Lapsang Souchong can provide a strong counterbalance.
Green tea, with its earthy notes, can temper the sweetness of milk chocolate, while red tea (rooibos) with its honey-like flavor pairs well with bittersweet chocolate or chocolate-covered fruits.
Sherman also notes that matcha tea, known for its frothy bitterness, complements chocolate with sea salt or chocolate-covered popcorn.
And for the sweetness of white chocolate, the delicate floral notes of herbal tea or the mildness of chamomile can be the perfect accompaniment.
The fusion of tea and chocolate has even inspired the creation of tea-flavored chocolate bars.
William Mullan, brand director of Raaka Chocolate in Brooklyn, New York, shares that his company has been crafting such bars since 2014, starting with their Earl Grey unroasted dark chocolate bar.
Beyond the delightful taste, the health properties of chocolate and tea can synergize as mood enhancers.
Both contain stimulants like theobromine and caffeine, which can aid in focus and mood.
Mullan suggests that a little chocolate and tea can be a strategic choice for those looking to be peppy and focused.
For our GrayVine community, this information is more than just food for thought—it's an invitation to explore and enjoy.
By choosing the right pairings, we can indulge in the rich flavors of chocolate and tea while reaping health benefits that may surpass those of wine.
So next time you're considering a treat, why not reach for a square of dark chocolate and a warm cup of tea?
It's a delightful way to savor the moment and take care of your health simultaneously.
We'd love to hear from you about your favorite chocolate and tea pairings. Have you discovered a combination that's too good to keep to yourself?
Share your experiences and tips in the comments below, and let's continue to celebrate the joys of healthy indulgence together. Cheers to a life well-lived and well-tasted!
Could this indulgent duo be the next big health secret?
The histories of tea and chocolate are steeped in legend and tradition, with tea's origins dating back to 2737 B.C. in China and chocolate's use in Ecuador traced to over 5,300 years ago.
These two have not only delighted palates for millennia but have also been recognized for their medicinal properties since the 17th century.
Today, experts are shining a light on the health advantages of pairing chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, with tea.
Chocolate and tea both contain high levels of antioxidants and polyphenols, which can reduce the risk of cancer. Image source: Elena Mozhvilo/Unsplash.
Piotr Miga, a tea sommelier from greater Boston, emphasizes that both are rich in antioxidant polyphenols.
These powerful compounds are known to combat free radicals, potentially reducing the risk of cancer and offering a host of other health benefits.
Healthline reports that the antioxidants and flavanols in cocoa and dark chocolate can reduce inflammation and contribute to the health of endothelial cells, which line your arteries.
Similarly, popular teas like green tea, ginger, and rosehip are celebrated for their anti-inflammatory properties and their ability to prevent oxidative damage.
While we often enjoy tea and chocolate at the end of a meal or on special occasions like Valentine’s Day, their consumption can be more than just a sweet finish. It can be a conscious choice for better health.
The process of pairing chocolate with tea is akin to the art of wine and food pairings.
Amy Sherman, a tea enthusiast and editor-in-chief of The Chocolate Professor, advises that you can either contrast or complement flavors.
The variety of chocolate and tea types allows for endless experimentation.
For example, Sherman agrees with Miga that dark chocolate and black tea are a match made in heaven.
Tea and chocolate pairings, much like those with wine, can either contrast or complement flavors. Image source: Rüveyda irem Demirci/Pexels.
She also suggests that Earl Grey tea, with its citrusy bergamot flavor, creates a beautiful combination with chocolate.
For those who enjoy a chocolate mint, Sherman recommends pairing it with mint tea to enhance the flavor or with a robust black tea to cut through the mintiness.
When it comes to the intense sweetness of chocolate caramel, a smoky black tea like Lapsang Souchong can provide a strong counterbalance.
Green tea, with its earthy notes, can temper the sweetness of milk chocolate, while red tea (rooibos) with its honey-like flavor pairs well with bittersweet chocolate or chocolate-covered fruits.
Sherman also notes that matcha tea, known for its frothy bitterness, complements chocolate with sea salt or chocolate-covered popcorn.
And for the sweetness of white chocolate, the delicate floral notes of herbal tea or the mildness of chamomile can be the perfect accompaniment.
The fusion of tea and chocolate has even inspired the creation of tea-flavored chocolate bars.
William Mullan, brand director of Raaka Chocolate in Brooklyn, New York, shares that his company has been crafting such bars since 2014, starting with their Earl Grey unroasted dark chocolate bar.
Beyond the delightful taste, the health properties of chocolate and tea can synergize as mood enhancers.
Both contain stimulants like theobromine and caffeine, which can aid in focus and mood.
Mullan suggests that a little chocolate and tea can be a strategic choice for those looking to be peppy and focused.
For our GrayVine community, this information is more than just food for thought—it's an invitation to explore and enjoy.
By choosing the right pairings, we can indulge in the rich flavors of chocolate and tea while reaping health benefits that may surpass those of wine.
So next time you're considering a treat, why not reach for a square of dark chocolate and a warm cup of tea?
It's a delightful way to savor the moment and take care of your health simultaneously.
Share your experiences and tips in the comments below, and let's continue to celebrate the joys of healthy indulgence together. Cheers to a life well-lived and well-tasted!
