By Thomas Smith
Watermelon and tea are a good combination but adding cheese foam makes for an amazing beverage experience. Honey and dill tie this mouthwatering drink together and bring out the natural freshness of watermelon.
Most people know watermelon as a delicious fruit, but its versatility also makes it a great choice to unify flavor combinations culinarians might not expect. Watermelon’s natural sweetness can be amplified by honey and dill, watermelon’s tanginess mixes well with the taste of tea, and watermelon even matches the distinctive flavor of cheese. Put it all together and you have a watermelon cheese foam tea.
“The watermelon and tea are a great combination,” Spirits in Motion co-founder Tony Pereyra said, “but I do believe the standout ingredient in this drink is the savory cheese foam.”
The clean, light taste of watermelon ties together the unique flavor profile of this beverage. It also provides a vibrant red color when mixed with the tea, which softens to a pleasant reddish pink when the foam is added. A true all-purpose ingredient, watermelon makes this drink as eyepopping as it is enjoyable.
Accordingly, the watermelon’s ripeness is an indispensable part of this beverage. Pereyra said using fresh watermelon makes all the difference because it has no artificial taste and it creates a perfect balance of sweetness in the cheese foam tea.
“When developing the flavor profiles for this drink, I was able bring some exciting flavors from the plate to the cup,” the mixologist said.
He said honey and dill do a good job of complementing the watermelon, and culinarians often bring these ingredients together in a salad. Of course, honey and tea are a classic combination as well.
“It was really important to find the right tea that wouldn’t take over the fresh watermelon flavor and color,” the co-founder said. “Oolong tea offers a smooth, clean and balanced flavor, making it the perfect choice.”
Cheese teas are a trend that started in Asia and have been gaining popularity in the U.S. Much like Boba tea, Pereyra said cheese tea is wildly popular in some American cities, and it’s easy to see why.
“Drinking the tea and the foam together adds an extra layer of creamy texture and savory flavor that really compliments the watermelon tea,” the mixologist said. “The texture of the cheese foam combined with the fresh watermelon and tea give a dreamy sensation that makes you want to keep drinking!”