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continued from page 57 WHITE CHOCOLATE MOCHA TEA BLEND FROM STASH TEA CY NTH IA M EA DOR S THE WHOLE LEAF For a complementary tea-and-chocolate blend, I search for meg, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom. Unsweetened and made flavors and characteristics that play well together, such as a black only with real ingredients (not "natural" or artificial flavorings), tea with a bold character and astringency blended with chocolate these teas can be enjoyed any time of day, whether as an alternamellowed by something light and creamy like vanilla. A contrast- tive to your calorie-laden mocha in the morning or as a guilt-free ing blend pairs flavors and characteristics that are "polar" to each indulgence after a meal. other but that find a balance in the final blend of ingredients. This line includes pairings that cover a spectrum of tastes Seeking out pairings that might seem unnatural can often be and provide the consumer with both an exquisite escape and a surprisingly fruitful—one example solution to sugar and budget-related of a successful coupling is a bright dilemmas. They are both more lemon herbal with a dark chocolate. affordable and far less calorie dense Enhanced pairings aim for a beverthan a high-quality, organic chocolate Chocolate is an enduring trend that continues to age in which the sum is more than bar or a sugary mocha, but they give inspire the everyday consumer and the chef. And the parts. the same satisfaction of consuming a with new products launching every year that range In 2014, Numi will be launching rich, indulgent dessert, and they can a new line of chocolate teas, called be enjoyed throughout the day. from chocolate-covered beef jerky to chocolateIndulgent Tea, that lists cacao as its Chocolate is an enduring trend covered candied flowers, I don't see chocolate's first, dominant ingredient. This colthat continues to inspire the everypopularity waning any time soon. lection is meant to celebrate two of day consumer and the chef. And with humanity's most revered traditions, new products launching every year tea and cacao, and represents the that range from chocolate-covered perfect harmony of these two gifts beef jerky to chocolate-covered canof nature. I have created four blends for the Indulgent Tea line: died flowers, I don't see chocolate's popularity waning any time Chocolate Rooibos, a sensual, soothing blend of smooth South soon. Just as chocolate gives tea masters an opportunity to add African rooibos, real vanilla beans and cacao; Chocolate Mint, texture, richness and a hint of indulgence to their tea blends, tea a sweet balance of Numi's Moroccan Mint, cacao and orange is also a new frontier for chocolatiers. I think we can expect to peel; Chocolate Earl Grey, a harmonious blend of Aged Earl Grey, see further collaboration between both industries in the coming creamy vanilla and cacao; and Chocolate Spice, a melt-in-your- years, especially as tea continues to rise as one of America's most mouth blend of rich cacao and colorful chai spices like ginger, nut- popular beverages. 58 Fresh Cup Magazine | freshcup.com