Tea and love go hand in hand. A sweet Valentine's Day tea party doesn't need to be lavish. Pairing tea with a delicious pastry or confection is a simple but meaningful way to celebrate love, devotion, and friendship.
Keep reading to explore my top three picks for local Charlottesville sweets and what tea I would pair with each one. Not in Charlottesville? No problem. I've included some simple tips for tea pairings that you can apply at your own local bakery or even in your own kitchen.
“Sweet Heart Bark” ($10) from Gearhart’s Fine Chocolates - Gearhart’s opened it's doors in Charlottesville in 2001. In addition to boxes of their signature ganache filled chocolates, Gearhart's also offers a range of delicious specialty items. For Valentine’s Day I suggest their “Sweet Heart Bark” a charming twist on a familiar treat that combines white and raspberry chocolates, Valentine’s Day candies, and dried raspberries. White chocolate, which doesn’t contain cacao, has a rich sweetness that is the perfect foil for the sweet-tart flavor of raspberries. It is also a great option for people who like to avoid caffeine since it is naturally caffeine free.
So what tea would I pair with a confection of White chocolate and raspberries?
Green tea lovers, rejoice! Enjoy Gearhart’s Sweet Heart Bark with a frothy matcha for the perfect combination. Matcha is a powdered green tea that is whisked with hot water. Powdered teas have been around since the beginning of tea drinking. Historically, tea preparation evolved in three distinct stages. It all started with “boiled tea” which was followed by “whipped tea.” This is when frothy matchas and hojichas became popular in China as early as the middle of the 10th century. It wasn't until the 2010s that it really caught on in America. The last stage of tea preparation was that of “steeped tea” which is what many of us are familiar with today. If you aren’t in the habit of preparing matcha at home, or would like to try it for the first time, there are plenty of cafés around Charlottesville that serve it. I suggest a trip to Camellia’s Bar & Roastery and Lone Light Coffee. And while you’re there, consider trying Hojicha a roasted Japanese green tea.
If your Valentine avoids caffeine, consider pairing your Sweet Heart Bark with a chamomile tisane instead. The white chocolate will highlight the sweet floral notes of the chamomile. Although popularly referred to as “herbal tea” in the United States, chamomile is not a true tea at all. Matricaria chamomilla is an ancient herb that has been in use since the time of the Egyptians. Today, chamomile is often enjoyed in the evenings but it can be a deliciously soothing beverage any time of day.
“Chocolate Tart” from Cou Cou Rachou ($9) - Cou Cou Rachou is a popular French style bakery in Charlottesville. The brainchild of chef Rachel De Jong, Cou Cou Rachou’s menu is both wonderfully whimsical and classically elegant. Any of Cou Cou’s pastries would make a delicious valentine; however, the Chocolate Tart is a special order item available for pickup on February 13th & 14th. The crisp almond vanilla pastry shell is filled with bittersweet chocolate ganache and salted caramel. But don’t let that alone convince you. The silky chocolate surface is studded with Sicilian pistachios, rose petals, fleur du sel, and edible gold leaf. Measuring 4.5” this little tart is the perfect size to share with someone special. If you can bear to share it.
What would I pair with a rich salted caramel and chocolate tart?
A Darjeeling tea would be my first choice for anything with rich dark chocolate. Darjeeling is a black tea grown in the Darjeeling District of West Bengal India. The distinctive flavor of Darjeeling comes from the unique climate and landscape of the region. It is harvested multiple times a year and each “flush” is prized for different characteristics. In the case of Cou Cou Rachou’s Chocolate Tart I would choose a Second or Autumn Flush Darjeeling for their more robust and slightly fruity flavor. The mild astringency of Darjeeling acts as a delightful foil for the creamy richness of the tart. Rose and pistachio also pair beautifully with Darjeeling tea and are often seen served alongside this popular tea. You can read more about what makes Darjeeling so special in this post.
“Cream Filled Brioche Donut” ($3-4) from Sbrocco’s Donuts & Espresso ($ ) - Sbrocco’s was born from a desire to give Charlottesville a local donut shop. Patrick Evans, Jason Becton and Melissa Portera have brought new life (and donuts) to the shops on Maury Avenue in Charlottesville. With a line out of the door nearly every morning, you may be hard pressed to get in at Sbrocco’s but if you do, your act of service will not be forgotten by your donut loving valentine. The Cream Filled brioche donut is full of vanilla scented pastry cream and covered in a classic rich chocolate glaze. It is a regular item on the menu at Sbrocco’s but certainly worthy of a special occassion.
What would tea I pair with a brioche or cream filled pastry?
Rooibos is a tisane with natural sweetness and a slightly heady vanilla aroma. It is often referred to as a “red tea”; however, it is not a true tea at all. Aspalathus linearis (Rooibos) is a native of the Cederberg Mountains in South Africa. It has been enjoyed for centuries in that part of the world and rightly so. Rooibos pairs beautifully with vanilla, cream, and chocolate making it a no-brainer for this donut and tea pairing. The fluffy and slightly sweet brioche dough contrasts the rich full-bodied nature of rooibos which is often served with milk. If you are looking for something a little more elegant than your local donut, consider eclairs, mille-fleuille, or a simple canalé.
If your valentine prefers caffeinated tea, I would suggest drinking a black tea with a Cream Filled donut. The workhorse of the tea table, Earl Grey, is a natural choice. The subtle citrus notes from Bergamot are part of what give Earl Grey its flavor. Earl Grey blends often contain Darjeeling, lending it a fruitiness and astringency that balances the richness of the brioche and contrasts the sweetness of the chocolate glaze. Earl Grey is a delicious blend that pairs well with lots of sweet treats and especially well with dark chocolate. It can be served with milk and sugar or, for an entirely different flavor experience, with a slice of lemon. If you do serve your Earl Grey tea with lemon do not add milk since it will curdle and spoil the cup.
So there you have it. Three delicious local Charlottesville sweets for your sweetheart. Be sure to tag us on Instagram and Facebook @mypetale_tea if you try any of these pairings. We love to see tea drinkers in the wild.
Wishing you and your valentine a day of good tea, delicious treats, and time well spent.
Because nothing goes so well with tea as good company.
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