Healthy matcha ice lollies

We adore iced matcha and matcha smoothies, so we knew that matcha ice lollies had to be amazing! We’ve tried two different variations and loved them both. If you prefer a creamier version, try the matcha and yogurt ice lollies. But if you’re in the mood for something fruitier, you’ll love the raspberry and matcha ones! They’re beautiful and slightly retro, and best of all, they’re completely guilt-free.

Matcha and raspberry ice lollies, 100% natural

 

Matcha and raspberry ice lollies

Place one heaped tsp of matcha in a bowl and add a splash of boiled water cooled to about 80C. Whisk until it forms a frothy paste. Top up with a bit of cold water. You can sweeten it to taste with honey or a little sugar if you like.

Blend half a punnet of raspberries adding just a little water.

Pour the matcha in the ice lolly moulds and add the blended raspberries on top. Put it in the freezer for about an hour, then take it out and add the ice lolly sticks. Put them back in and freeze overnight or for at least 5 hours. Lovely!

 

 

Beautiful, jade green ice lollies

 

Yogurt and matcha ice lollies

Place one heaped tsp of matcha in a bowl and add a splash of boiled water cooled to about 80C. Whisk until it forms a frothy paste. Add natural yogurt and sweeten it to taste with honey. Freeze for about an hour before you add the sticks. Then let it freeze for 4-5 hours. Delicious and creamy!

Learn more about Lahloo matcha here and enjoy 20% off during August!

Wild swimming

Britain is blessed with an array of wonderful places to swim. Melancholic rivers, tranquil lakes, thrilling waterfalls, idyllic ponds and of course, the ever-changing sea. Wild swimming is becoming more popular these days, and people discuss their favourite spots on Facebook groups and a few different websites.

We all know the particularities of British weather and how it might affect outdoor plans, but sometimes a chlorine-smelling, heavily disinfected swimming pool isn’t enough. Swimming outdoors has many other added values: the beauty of the surroundings, the sense of freedom and wilderness, the communion with nature, the excitement!

The Outdoors Swimming Society and Wild Swimming both have very comprehensive listings of places to swim, including swimmers reviews and tips. All you need to remember now is to take a flask of your favourite tea with you!

Swimming in turquoise waters by Horia Varlan

Matcha palmiers

A light, crispy palmier with your afternoon tea is the perfect treat for when you fancy something small and sweet. For all of you, tea lovers, here’s our delicious recipe, with the added flavour and goodness of matcha green tea.

Ingredients (for 35-40 palmiers)

• 250g plain flour
• 200g unsalted butter
• 125ml milk
• 1 egg yolk
• 3/4 tsp salt
• Lahloo matcha
• vanilla sugar

Place flour and salt in a bowl. Rub in 25g butter until it forms breadcrumbs. Cut the rest of the butter into cubes and add it too. Mix the egg and milk and add them to the previous mixture. It should form a sticky dough. Refrigerate for 30 mins.

Take it out of the fridge and roll it out, using matcha instead of flour to prevent sticking. Fold one third into the middle and then the other third on top. Roll it again. Dust off any excess matcha and refrigerate for 30 mins. Repeat this twice more.

Roll the pastry into a rectangle (around 40cms x 18cms) and sprinkle it with vanilla sugar. Then, roll it from the shorter edges into the centre until it has the shape of a palmier. Refrigerate again for 30mins.

Cut the pastry into slices of 1cm approximately and sprinkle them again with vanilla sugar. Keep the slices in the fridge until you want to bake them.

Before baking, flatten your palmiers a bit with a rolling pin. Bake at 200C for around 9 minutes. Delicious!