Saicho, a new range of sparkling cold-brewed teas designed to “transform” the way we pair non-alcoholic drinks with food, has hit the UK market.
Packaged in 500ml bottles, the range contains three sparkling teas: Darjeeling, which is said to pair well with grilled meats; Hojicha; which complements Asian salads or cured meats; and Jasmine, which can be matched with creamy pasta or panna cotta.
Cold-brewed for 24 hours to extract the “most delicate and complex flavours” from the tea leaves, the teas are then balanced with a hint of sweetness and a dash of acidity.
Sparkling the tea is said to enhance the flavour, creating an effervescent drink that can be enjoyed as a non-alcoholic alternative to champagne or prosecco.
Co-founder Charlie Winkworth-Smith, who developed the brand with his wife Natalie, said: “The low and no-ABV trend is definitely going to take the lead in early 2020 as consumers look to make healthy changes in their lifestyle and drive the market for sophisticated and complex no-alcohol alternatives.
“This year will be launching our on-trade campaign, focusing on luxury hotels for afternoon teas, creating non-alcoholic menus and serves in some of the UK’s top bars and organising key collaborations with chefs for tasting and pairing menus. Watch this space!”
