Kusmi Tea – The Unexpected Beverage And Dessert Pairing You Need To Try Now!

Tea is believed to have originated from China, with its first record dating back to 200BC, before it spread to other parts of the world. Today, tea has become a staple in our society and was actually the second most popular drink in the world until coffee took over in recent years.

Founded by Pavel Michailvitch Kouichoff in 1867, Kusmi Tea boasts a venerable collection of teas. There are 100 variants of black teas, green teas, red teas and infusions. Impressive, isn’t it? Started in Paris in 1970, Kusmi Tea is king when it comes to tea in France. They have 70 stores in France! After their launch in Japan last month, Kusmi Tea is now entering the South-East Asian market with their first branch right here in Takashimaya Singapore!

With 150 years of experience in tea-brewing, Kusmi Tea’s strict use of only whole tea leaves yields a unique richness and clarity that is evident in their blends. To ensure consistency in quality, Kusmi Tea only packages their tea in their workshops in Normandy. Amongst a flurry of new tea infusions and flavors, it can get pretty mind-boggling when it comes to deciding which teas to get, so Kusmi Tea has kindly recommended a couple of pairings with Venchi chocolates to sweeten up your day, and life!

Some food pairings are natural but others like tea and chocolate may not seem like it. Nonetheless, here’re a few pairings of Kusmi Tea and Venchi chocolate which we loved! I especially liked the pairing of Kusmi Tea’s Aquarosa with a square (or squares) of Montezuma extra dark chocolate from Venchi. I’m not a fan of fruit teas but the balance and aroma of Aquarosa was just alluring. Aquarosa is inspired by Abyssinian Pink Tea, which is a blend based on Hibiscus hailing from South Africa. It is an intense pink hue, and its fruity characteristics become apparent as you brew the tea. The main ingredient, however, comes from the lush pink tinge apple which is reminiscent of summer. Together with other ingredients such as red berries, black berries and elderberries, Aquarosa makes for a perfect afternoon sip. The dark chocolate adds a captivating contrast with its appetizing bitterness, without stealing the limelight from the tea. I didn’t think they would go so well together, but I guess sometimes the least expected pairings just work the best.

If you’re more of a sweet tooth, you can opt for the BB Detox tea with cubes of the Cremino 1878. The BB Detox Tea is a delicate blend of green tea, maté, rooibos, guarana and dandelion with a hint of grapefruit. Upon opening the tin, you’ll catch a whiff of fresh grapefruit which is simply inviting. When brewed, the tea possesses a light tart flavor. Weird, I never knew that detox teas could be this tasty! The Cremino 1878 from Venchi features a layer of white chocolate and almond paste sandwiched between 2 creamy layers of milk chocolate gianduja. One cube of chocolate was sufficient for me considering that the chocolate is significantly sweeter than the tea. I think the pairing works well because the light milk chocolate doesn’t overpower the complexities of the exquisite BB Detox tea. The fragrant grapefruit flavor adds a dimension of flavor to the already heavenly match. Its a given that green tea naturally pairs well with white and milk chocolate, and this is no exception.

The last pairing is for those who enjoy a more adventurous flavor profile – Spearmint Green Tea and Venchi Cherry-In-Black. Initially, I was kind of iffy about having spearmint in my tea but I was pleasantly surprised. Though prevalent in the steep, the spearmint isn’t astringent nor overly raw but, in fact, pleasantly refreshing with a gentle brush of menthol at the back. The Spearmint Green Tea managed to achieve an excellent balance between the flavours of spearmint and green tea. Even if you’re not fond of mint, you might just find yourself loving this. Bite into a block of decadent dark chocolate to reveal a sweet cherry-filled lava core. The 56% cocoa chocolate offers the perfect amount of bitterness which doesn’t overwhelm the fruity sweetness of the liquid core. When taken together, the light notes of mint from the tea juxtaposes against the bitter-sweet chocolate, but somehow works in tandem. I especially liked that the tea has a slightly dry finish but is complemented by the fruity sweetness from the chocolate cube. It’s not my favorite pairing but nevertheless a noteworthy one that’s definitely worth a try.

Owing to their high antioxidant levels, most teas are chock full of health benefits including aiding in weight lost and the lowering of bad cholesterol. However, for those who really want to enjoy the full benefits of their teas, you can opt for their detox tea. Some teas, like black tea, lose antioxidants through the process of fermentation but Detox from Kusmi Tea is guaranteed to be packed with all the goodness you’ll ever need. Detox is green tea-based because green teas tend to have higher levels of flavonoids. With a healthy blend of lemongrass and maté, Detox is your drink if you want to unwind, relax, and rejuvenate. If you like, you can even drop some ice cubes in to enjoy it chilled!

I love classics because it’s really quite difficult to go wrong with those. Ergo, my personal favorite was a blend based on classic teas like Earl Grey and English Breakfast. I’m a sucker for Earl Grey tea, so Prince Vladmir naturally appealed to me. Prince Vladmir is a blend of Earl Grey, orange peel, bergamot, grapefruit and lime. The deep mahogany-coloured tea has a distinct citrusy aroma that’s impossible to miss. Savour the intense flavor of the earl grey tea and notes of vanilla balanced with prominent citrus, as they culminate in a long smooth finish. Prince Vladmir was created in 1888 in honor of the Vladmir the Great, ruler of Holy Russia, and has been one of their most beloved blends for generations. The citrus adds a nice touch of tanginess and complements the cloves elegantly. I liked how none of the ingredients overpowered the drink, which resulted in a well-rounded and flavorful steep. Overall, Prince Vladmir is a very tasty tea that I enjoyed and will be back to get more of. Another noteworthy flavor is the St Petersburg tea, which is another delicious blend of earl grey, caramel, red fruits and a touch of vanilla.

Teas aren’t just meant to be served hot for sipping. In fact, you can savour your teas chilled and even with a mix of alcohol. Launched last year, Kusmi Tea’s Iced Tea collection is perfect for parties or really hot humid afternoons. We got a box of their assorted iced teas which includes Ice Grapefruit (BB Detox blend), Blue Ice (Blue Detox Blend), AquaFizz(Fruit-infused Aquarosa), Very Mint (Spearmint Green Tea) and Frosted Strawberry (Strawberry green tea). I prefer my teas hot but, if I had to pick, my favourites are the AquaFizz and Frosted Strawberry. Coupled with ice, the teas made a refreshing drink that is much needed given our sunny weather. The teas come in muslin tea bags so you’ll have to brew it like regular tea before adding ice. You can also experiment with vodka and juices if you’re looking for a tasty alcoholic mix.

I’m no tea connoisseur but I do enjoy a good cuppa every now and then. Whether you enjoy your tea black, chilled, with sugar, or with a splash of milk, I’m sure you’ll find a blend in Kusmi Tea’s arsenal that’ll be your cup of tea.

This post was brought to you by Kusmi Tea and Venchi.

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