Tea is more than just a drink – it’s an experience for all the senses. At Urban Tea Factory you’ll find a wide range of organic tea blends with convincing flavour. In this article we show you how to taste the different teas properly, pair them with food and choose them by time of day.
1. Tea tasting: eyes, nose, mouth – the three senses of tea analysis
Eyes: colour and appearance
- Dry leaves: pay attention to the size, shape and proportion of whole leaves. Larger leaves often indicate higher quality.
- Colour of the infusion: look at the colour of the tea after brewing. A clear, lively colour suggests a high-quality tea.
Nose: aroma
- Dry leaves: smell the dry leaves to get a first impression of the aroma.
- Infusion: smell again after brewing. The aromas should have developed and be complex.
Mouth: taste
- Taste: pay attention to the balance between sweetness, bitterness and umami. A balanced taste is a sign of a successful blend.
- Aftertaste: a long, pleasant aftertaste indicates high quality.
2. Expert insights: which teas go with which foods?
Pairing tea with food can considerably enhance the taste experience. Here are some recommendations:
- Green teas (e.g. from the green tea category): go well with light dishes such as salads, sushi or poultry.
- Black teas (e.g. from the black tea category): go with hearty dishes such as red meat, spicy food or chocolate.
- Herbal teas (e.g. from the herbal tea category): ideal after a meal or with desserts.
- Fruit teas (e.g. from the fruit tea category): refreshing with light snacks or as a thirst-quencher in between.
3. Tea for every occasion: from breakfast to evening relaxation
Time of day |
Type of tea |
UTF blends |
Character |
Taste |
Breakfast |
Black tea |
Earl Grey Deluxe, Talk Dirty To Me |
strong, caffeinated |
strong, malty |
Late morning |
Green tea |
Body Defence, Natural Matcha High, So Damn Pretty |
refreshing, caffeinated |
fresh, grassy |
Afternoon |
Herbal tea |
New Happy Me, Mighty Mint Lover, Hangover Deluxe, Female Line, Soulful Sips |
herbal, versatile |
mild, slightly sweet |
Evening |
Fruit tea |
Tutti Fruitea Dream, Tropic Like It’s Hot |
fruity, caffeine-free |
fruity |
4. Step-by-step plan: choosing tea by time of day, caffeine content and taste
- Decide on the time of day: think about what time of day you want to drink the tea.
- Caffeine or not: decide whether you want a caffeinated black or green tea or a caffeine-free herbal or fruit tea.
- Choose your taste: pick a flavour you like (e.g. fruity, spicy).
- Select a type of tea: based on the previous steps, choose a suitable tea from the corresponding category.
