The weekend is ahead of us, and we’re feeling nostalgic in the office, reminiscing about when we used to rent DVDs and borrow movies for the weekend. We would always play a movie in the evenings and prepare something to eat and drink. Most of the time, we would make tea. And it is precisely this experience that motivated us to prepare the following article.
We have thought it through for you selected a few movies and TV series, and paired them with various types of tea. The chosen teas for each title are selected to create a certain sensory connection that enhances the mood and tone of each film. Feel free to share your experiences and tips with us in the comments.
Harry Potter – masala chai with milk and honey, a la butterbeer
Arguably the most famous film series about a young wizard. In every book, there is mention of a delicious butterbeer consumed at the Leaky Cauldron. We think a perfect tea to accompany the movie marathon would be Masala chai, spiced, strong, and served with honey and milk. It’s a great autumn beverage to warm you up on gloomy rainy days.
Bridgerton – green or black tea
A historical series on Netflix that has garnered enormous acclaim, and tea drinking is inseparably associated with it. Over tea, the ladies discuss their problems, worries, and joys. It is served in beautiful cups, usually with something sweet to nibble on. During the early 19th century, the time period in which the series is set, tea drinking was highly popular in England. As early as the 17th century, the English developed such a fondness for tea that it surpassed English ale as the national beverage.
Bridget Jones’s Diary – white tea or green tea with a hint of mojito flavor
Bridget Jones’s Diary is a romantic comedy starring Renée Zellweger, following the story of Bridget Jones, a young woman in her thirties trying to find love and come to terms with her imperfections. Bridget is clumsy, and honest, and often finds herself in awkward situations. Bridget Jones’s Diary is a tale of love, self-acceptance, and finding happiness in everyday life that is guaranteed to make you laugh. A suitable pairing for this film is white tea, known for its delicate flavors and floral undertones. It offers a light and refreshing taste that can complement the romantic character of the movie. White tea also has a low caffeine content, making it an excellent choice for a relaxing movie night. On the other hand, for those who crave a bit more excitement, we recommend spicing things up with green tea infused with a hint of mojito flavor.
Lost in Translation – green tea with jasmine
Lost in Translation is a beautiful film known for its pensive atmosphere and exploration of cultural disconnection. It tells the story of two strangers portrayed by Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson, who form an unlikely friendship during their stay in Tokyo. The film’s calming ambiance and introspective tone make it perfect for a relaxing evening.
For this film, we recommend green tea with jasmine. Green tea offers a light and refreshing taste, while the delicate fragrance of jasmine enhances the sensory experience. This combination evokes the tranquil atmosphere of the film and captures the essence of Japanese culture depicted in the movie.
Stranger Things – peppermint tea
Stranger Things is a popular Netflix series set in the 1980s. It follows a group of kids in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, as they encounter supernatural phenomena and a parallel world called The Upside Down. The series is full of nostalgia, suspense, and mystery, blending sci-fi, horror, and adventure to take viewers on an exciting and heartwarming journey. We recommend pairing Stranger Things with peppermint tea, which offers a refreshing and cooling experience that complements the mysterious and suspenseful atmosphere of the series.
Avengers: Endgame – black Assam tea
For Marvel enthusiasts, we have selected the film Avengers: Endgame, an action-packed movie that brings together a group of beloved comic book characters in a live-action film, including Iron Man, Captain America, Spider-Man, Thor, Hulk, Thanos, and many others. To match the intensity and action-packed nature of the film, black Assam tea could be a suitable choice. This solid black tea from the Assam region in India has a bold and sweet flavor that will help keep your energy up during this epic adventure.
The Crown – black Earl Grey tea
The Crown is a critically acclaimed series that tells the story of Queen Elizabeth II. It provides a behind-the-scenes look at the personal and political challenges the Queen and the royal family faced during different periods. The delicacy and elegance of Earl Grey tea perfectly reflect the noble setting and sophistication depicted in the series. Black Earl Grey tea is a classic black tea infused with bergamot oil, known for its citrusy and floral aroma.
Black Panther – hibiscus tea
Black Panther is a groundbreaking superhero film that celebrates African culture and explores themes of identity and power. We recommend pairing it with hibiscus tea, an herbal tea with a tart and fruity flavor. The deep red color of hibiscus tea reflects the film’s visual aesthetics, while its refreshing tartness adds a special touch to your movie experience.
Ozark – Gunpowder green tea
Ozark is a gripping crime drama centered around the Byrde family. After their money laundering scheme goes awry, financial advisor Marty Byrde moves his family to the Ozarks to work for a Mexican drug cartel. Their lives unfold in a dangerous world of organized crime, where they encounter various criminals, form deceitful relationships, and fight for their safety. To match this series’s dark and suspenseful tone, Gunpowder green tea, known for its smoky and intense flavor, could be a suitable choice. It offers a captivating and immersive tea-drinking experience.
Anne with an E – black tea with milk
This series is also set in the 19th century but from the perspective of farmers and the lower classes. Drinking tea upon returning from the fields after a hard day’s work is associated with it. Black tea with milk was a source of refreshment, and people held it in high regard. So, if you plan to watch the series, brew a pot of strong tea and invite your friends. It will definitely be worth it.
Why did people start drinking tea with milk? When tea was introduced to the island kingdom in the 18th century, the local inhabitants generally couldn’t afford to drink it from original Chinese porcelain, so they used cheaper alternatives for serving. However, these cheaper materials often crack when in contact with hot liquid. To prevent this, they started pouring cold milk into the bottom of the cup first.
Narcos – not tea, but Colombian coffee
Choose Colombian coffee if you want to create the most authentic atmosphere from the film’s setting.
Narcos is a crime drama that explores the rise and fall of notorious drug cartels in Latin America, with a primary focus on the ascent of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar. The series delves into the interconnected web of the drug trade, corruption, and law enforcement efforts to dismantle criminal empires. Colombian coffee is known for its rich flavors and robust, invigorating aromatic qualities that will allow you to immerse yourself better into the intense world of the Narcos series.
Eat, Pray, Love – fruit tea.
When we think of this wonderful film, we imagine a fruit tea with fresh fruit and ice, which pairs perfectly with watching the movie. A cup of delicious Italian coffee would also be a great fit in the part where the protagonist spends some time in Italy. Did you know that fruit tea is not actually tea at all? “tea” is only used for a beverage made from the Camellia sinensis plant. So, it would be more accurate to call it fruit infusion or herbal fruit tea instead of fruit “tea.”
Game of Thrones – black Pu-erh tea
The world-renowned series Game of Thrones is a complex and dark fantasy series, full of political intrigue, power struggles, and epic battles. The nuances of Pu-erh tea, with its bold and robust flavor profile featuring earthy and woody notes, perfectly complement the raw and intense atmosphere of the series.
Pu-erh tea undergoes a unique fermentation process that gives it a distinct taste and character. It often matures for several years, adding depth and complexity to its flavor. The earthy tones of Pu-erh tea can enhance the show’s dramatic nature and add an authentic touch to your viewing experience.
Babička – herbal tea
A departure from the darkness to Czech classic. Our unique and wonderful Babička (Grandmother) by Božena Němcová. While watching this masterpiece, we immediately crave herbal tea. Preferably made from hand-dried herbs with some medicinal blend, just as our grandmothers and great-grandmothers used to do. Tips and tricks for gathering herbs can be found in the article about herbal tea – step by step.
The Witcher – Darjeeling
“The Witcher” is a fantasy series based on the book series by Andrzej Sapkowski. It follows the adventures of Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter known as a Witcher, in a medieval world full of magic, mythical creatures, and political intrigue. For this series, you might consider a light, delicate Indian black tea from the Darjeeling region with a floral flavor and hints of nutmeg. This tea contrasts the series’ dark and mystical themes and adds a touch of delicacy and sophistication to your viewing experience.
Wild – Rooibos tea with milk and honey
A parched land, self-discovery, physical and mental exhaustion, and walking. For watching this movie, I would prepare a cup of Rooibos tea, which pairs beautifully with milk and honey. You can even prepare it in an iced version. Rooibos comes in green, where the plant is processed quickly and is not exposed to as much inclement weather. Red rooibos is grown longer and more exposed to sunlight, heat, and humidity. Both versions are caffeine-free.
Friends – chamomile tea
The last series in this article is Friends. The famously known sitcom follows the lives of six friends – Monica, Ross, Chandler, Joey, Rachel, and Phoebe – and their adventures in adulthood, relationships, and careers in New York City. With its witty humor, distinctive characters, and iconic catchphrases, the series captures the essence of friendship, love, and everyday joys and concerns, making it a timeless show. While watching the series, you can enhance the moments with a cup of chamomile tea or masala tea. Chamomile is known for its calming properties. It has a gentle and floral flavor that helps create a relaxed and soothing atmosphere while enjoying the show. Chamomile tea is often consumed in the evening or before bed, making it an ideal choice for relaxation and savoring the light and comedic moments in the series.
In this article, we have elaborated more than usual. However, we believe these tea combinations can enhance your enjoyment of these popular films and series by creating a sensory connection that complements their themes, moods, and tones.
Have we seen all these movies and series? Do the selected combinations resonate with you? And what other combinations of films, series, and tea would you create?
