Tea infused baking
- Lisa Keerthichandra
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
The Joy of Infusing Tea Flavours into Baking
Baking with tea can elevate your creations to new heights, adding unique flavours and aromas that enhance the overall experience of a classic dessert or baked treat. A beautiful panna cotta infused with Lavender Earl Grey, autumnal pears gently poached in Silver feather tea leaves, fruit loaves steeped in deep strong tea, and chai shortbreads are just a few of Owl & Monkey's favourite.
Here’s a look at how to incorporate tea into your baking and the benefits of doing so.
Benefits of Using Tea in Baking
Unique Flavours: Different types of tea offer a diverse range of flavours, from the floral notes of Earl Grey to the earthy richness of matcha. Our twist on Earl Grey infused with lavender and vanilla is great for baking.
Aromatherapy: The scent of brewing tea can create a warm and inviting atmosphere in your kitchen. Our chai blends, collected from small spice gardens across Sri Lanka, has such a vivid scent which is packed full of ayurvedic spices.
Health Benefits: Many teas are rich in antioxidants and can add health benefits to your baked goods, such as our Pink Tea and our Pink Tea with Rose & Vanilla.
Culinary Creativity: Experimenting with tea can inspire new recipes and techniques in your baking. Have you tried smoking tea? Our Golden Feathers and Pink Tea have wonderful smokey properties which are amazing to experiment with.
How to Infuse Tea Flavours into Your Baked Goods
Tea-Infused Milk or Cream: Steep tea leaves in warm milk or cream to create a base for cakes, custards, or frostings. We love to infuse our Lavender Hill into warm milk and cream to make the most delicious Panna Cotta, which we then set into a delicate chocolate pastry case and decorate with delicate flower petals. Pink tea also infuses beautifully with coconut milk for some gorgeous South Asian inspired desserts.
Tea Powder: Use finely ground tea, like matcha or chai, in batters or doughs for added flavour and colour. Our little twins love chai infused pancakes for breakfast, with a drizzle of local bees honey! My dad is rather partial to a tea infused fruit loaf cake, and as well as soaking fruits in brewed tea we also add ground tea to the mix.
Tea Syrups: Make a simple syrup with brewed tea to brush on cakes or drizzle over desserts. A rich caramel black tea like our golden feathers is an absolute jewel as a tea syrup, and poured over a simply divine Cornish ice cream or breakfast yoghurt adds a special touch.
Tea-Infused Sugar: Mix sugar with ground tea leaves to create a fragrant sweetener for cookies and pastries. Our girls love a dusting of chai sugar on their donuts. But my favourite is adding chai sugar to our famous Scottish shortbread recipe which we have perfected.
Tea-Poached: Beautiful fresh fruits poached or baked in brewed tea is an absolute delight and really brings to life the combination of tea and fruits. Our family favorite is autumnal pears poached in our Silver Feathers white tea, and if you pop them in canning jars after you can savor them well into the winter.
Popular Tea Flavours for Baking
Green Tea: Perfect for cakes, cookies, and frostings, adding a subtle bitterness and vibrant color. But Pink Tea is ready to go head to head and challenge for this title!
Earl Grey: Ideal for scones and cakes, offering a hint of bergamot that complements sweet treats. Our Lavender Hill is such an interesting twist on the classic Earl Grey.
Chai: A blend of spices that works well in muffins, breads, and pancakes for a warm, cozy flavor. And our chai spices are so fresh, with cardamon and cinnamon at the forefront.
Silver & Golden Feathers: Silver feathers adds a sweet tropical flavour, whilst Golden feathers adds a deep caramel flavor. Excitingly both teas are great in savory cooking too.
Conclusion
Infusing tea into your baking not only enhances the flavour profile of your treats but also opens up a world of creativity. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice, experimenting with tea can lead to delightful and memorable results. So grab your favorite tea and start baking!
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