Tea Pairing: An Elevated Experience of Japanese Tea

As refined and diverse as wine, tea pairing highlights the stories of cultivar, terroir, and seasonality. It offers a sophisticated non-alcoholic option that enhances dining, celebrates wellness, and brings out new dimensions in every dish.

Benefits of Introducing Tea Pairing

1. Expands Beverage Choices
Tea pairing provides a refined non-alcoholic option for any occasion. Guests can enjoy sophisticated drink-and-dish combinations without relying solely on wine or spirits.

2. Enhances the Dining Experience
When both drinkers and non-drinkers share the same table, tea pairing creates inclusivity and balance. Everyone can enjoy a thoughtfully crafted beverage, elevating the atmosphere and making the dining experience more engaging.

3. Healthy and Functional
Green tea is widely recognized for its health benefits, with new studies continually reinforcing its positive impact. Seasonal teas can also complement dishes with freshness and vitality, bringing both wellness and flavor to the table.

4. Creative and Diverse Pairings
Like cocktails or wine flights, tea pairing encourages guests to explore multiple teas throughout their meal. This increases guest engagement while also driving more beverage orders per table.

5. Low-Cost, High-Value Addition
Tea requires no alcohol tax, and the average cost ratio for tea drinks is under 15% (compared to ~35% for wine or food). This makes tea pairing a profitable and sustainable addition to the beverage program.

6. Compelling Stories Behind Each Tea
Just like wine, single-origin teas highlight the uniqueness of cultivar, region, and terroir. Each tea carries a story of history, plant variety, terroir, processing methods, prestige tier, and seasonality. Guests can experience the remarkable diversity of Japanese teas—dispelling the myth that “all green tea tastes the same”.