National Wine and Cheese Day has arrived! To get in the spirit, we decided to put our own spin on the classic pairing. Tea and cheese is the wave of the future, and we’re here to expand your palate! We did our own tea and cheese tasting, and not only did it fulfill our afternoon snack craving, but it also proved to be an entertaining way to unwind with friends.

Tea and wine have a lot of similarities, and both pair seamlessly with cheese. Who doesn’t need a little extra cheese in their lives? Teas, like wine, have a personality all their own. While many people compare coffee to tea, the attributes of tea actually correspond much more with wine. Their distinct qualities are largely based on the growing conditions and processing. From earthy and smoky to fruity and tart, the flavor profiles of loose leaf tea (and wine) vary considerably, which makes it fun to experiment with pairings.

If you know anything about wine and cheese pairing, or if you’re a newbie like us, the rules are consistent and relatively simple. Sweeter teas pair well with salty cheeses while milder, lighter teas and cheeses complement each other best. The ideal match lets both the tea and cheese flavors shine independently while revealing a “third flavor” that is unique to the pairing. After some reading and a whole lot of hands on (mouths on?) research, here are favorite matches. We hope this inspires your own tea and cheese tasting! Let us know what you think.