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Tea time is a cherished tradition that offers a pause from the chaos, allowing individuals to reconnect with themselves, find solace, and foster meaningful connections with others. Today we will embark on a journey celebrating the art of pairing exquisite teas with delectable baked delights. From delicate scones to decadent cakes, we’ll delve into the world of culinary alchemy, discovering how baked goodies can elevate the flavors of your tea.

From England’s afternoon tea custom to the Japanese matcha tea ceremony, cultures everywhere have developed unique tea traditions. But cookies, scones, and cakes are the most popular pairings. Their textures and flavors complement the tea, allowing them to mingle in delicious harmony.

Many tea drinkers worldwide enjoy nibbling on something sweet during tea time. Cookies, in particular, are a top choice for their various flavors. Freshly baked cookies have a warm, just-out-of-the-oven appeal, making them the perfect partner for a hot cup of tea.

Here are some tempting baked goodies that pair impeccably with tea. Read on for inspiration on elevating your tea time experience every day:

1. Scones 

Flaky, tender scones are a part of traditional English afternoon tea. Their soft, cakey crumb demands a bright tea to contrast their richness. Those who enjoy a twist on the conventional can pair their tea with chocolate chip scones that offer a delightful blend of sweetness and richness. Chocolate chip scones can be an irresistible addition to your tea time spread.

You can go for a hot cup of Earl Grey with scones, as it mingles bergamot’s citrusy flavor with the scone’s sweetness. You can also try an English breakfast tea blended with Assam leaves—the malty boldness pairs perfectly with fruit or cream scones. Add a pat of clotted cream and fruit preserves for an indulgent treat.

• Chocolate Chip Cookies

Classic chocolate chip cookies, a universally adored treat packed with melty morsels of chocolatey goodness. Their sweetness calls for a bold, malty black tea like Assam or Yunnan to balance the flavor. The cocoa notes in the tea mirror the chocolate chips, while the tea’s briskness offsets the cookie’s richness. You can also try jasmine or Moroccan mint green tea. The herbal flavors provide the perfect counterpoint to chocolate’s decadence.

• Biscotti

These crunchy Italian cookies were made for dunking into tea. Their twice-baked process yields a firm, dry cookie that softens when dipped into hot tea. Select a tea with astringency for biscotti to cut through its crumbly texture. Black teas like Keemun or Ceylon taste robust enough to withstand the cookie’s nutty crunch. Or you can pair it with a malty Chinese black tea like lapsang souchong. Its smoky flavor provides an intriguing contrast to the subtle sweetness of biscotti.

• Shortbread

This melt-in-your-mouth Scottish specialty showcases butter in the starring role. Select a rich tea for shortbread cookies that complements the butter’s flavor. An earthy Chinese black tea like Yunnan or Keemun makes a warming match. The tea’s malty, cocoa-like notes bring out the subtle caramel in shortbread.

• Ginger Cookies

Warm and aromatic, ginger cookies have a lively, spicy kick. They call for a tea that can match their peppery heat. Spicy teas accentuate the ginger flavor beautifully. Also, you can try Earl Grey blended with extra ginger root. Its citrus bergamot notes contrast nicely with the gingery warmth. Or you can brew a cup of Moroccan mint green tea—the cooling mint flavors tame the cookie’s spiciness perfectly.

• Snickerdoodles

With their dusting of cinnamon sugar, chewy snickerdoodles taste like a tea time treat. The spice and sweetness of this cookie make it a perfect match for black tea’s brisk, bold flavor. Pair them with an Assam, Ceylon, or English tea—their taste and aroma can match the cinnamon sugar’s punch. Or go fruitier with an Earl Grey or Lady Grey tea. Bergamot’s tangy citrus notes play off the cookie’s sweetness.

• Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

With a hearty, whole-grain flavor, oatmeal raisin cookies make a satisfying tea-time snack. Their earthy, brown sugar notes pair deliciously with a nutty black tea like Yunnan or Keemun. The tea’s rich, chocolatey aroma brings out the cookie’s toasted oats and raisins.

• Peanut Butter Cookies

The taste of peanut butter cookies cannot be beaten. These are also a hit among kids. You can pair these cookies with a malty Assam or Yunnan black tea—their bold, cocoa-like flavors have the strength to stand up to the taste and richness of peanut butter. You can also have them with Thai tea made with spices, condensed milk, and strong black tea—a delicious east-meets-west combination.

• Sugar Cookies

Simple and timeless, the pure sweetness of sugar cookies makes them a classic tea-time treat. They pair well with most lighter, brighter teas that offset their sweetness. Have them with white tea, like Silver Needle, or green tea, like Sencha or Dragonwell—their fresh, grassy flavors balance sugar cookies’ pure sweet taste.

1. Lemon Cookies

Bright and refreshing lemon cookies add a springy citrus twist to tea time. Their tangy flavor profile calls for a tea with some fruity notes. Earl Grey is an ideal match, mingling its bergamot citrus flavor with the cookies’ zesty lemon taste. You can also have them with a blood orange herbal tea—its sweet-tart taste pairs deliciously with lemon cookies. Green teas also make a nice match, like Moroccan mint green tea. The cooling mint flavors complement the taste of lemon cookies perfectly.

Conclusion

Tea time becomes more delicious and worthwhile when paired with tempting cookies. Their textures, flavors, and aromas intermingle with the tea to create a blissful-tasting experience. Whether you prefer the classics like chocolate chip, shortbread, or oatmeal or more unique flavors like ginger or lemon, you can pair them with the teas suggested above or with your favorite one. Try different cookie and tea combinations to find your perfect combo and enjoy your tea time every day. Just be sure to brew a large pot—with these tasty tandems, one cup will never be enough!

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This is a contributed post