Green Jasmine truffles

The highlight of this month’s Tea and Chocolate Workshop at Lahloo Pantry will be the preparation of these chocolate truffles, infused with the delicate flavour of Green Jasmine. A fabulous homemade gift or a luxurious treat to enjoy when you fancy something sweet, satisfying and uplifting. Here’s our recipe!

Green Jasmine truffles

Ingredients (for about 40 truffles)

• 250g dark chocolate
• 280ml heavy cream
• 50g butter
• 2-3 tbsp Lahloo Green Jasmine
• 3 tbsp cocoa powder (for the coating)

Heat the cream in a pan and bring to the boil. Remove from heat, add the tea and let it infuse for 15 minutes. Strain.

Melt the chocolate and the butter in a bain-Marie and strain the cream into the mixture. Whisk well until combined. Pour into a stainless still bowl and refrigerate for two hours.

Place 1 teaspoon of the truffle mixture into the palm of your hand, rolling it into a ball. Place each truffle on a lined baking tray and repeat the process. Chill the truffles until firm.

Once the truffles are firm, coat them with the cocoa powder (if you like them sweeter, add some brown sugar to the cocoa powder and mix well) and leave them to harden.

Our tip: Bring truffles to room temperature just before serving.

Happiness is Tea and Chocolate

If you’re one of the regular readers of this blog, chances are that you wholeheartedly agree with the title of this post. It’s a universal truth: tea and chocolate can make everything better. The possibilities are endless: tea-infused hot chocolate, tea and chocolate biscuits, tea and a slice or two of chocolate cake, tea and a chocolate brownie, a chocolate pudding, chocolate doughnuts…

If you’re a scientist, a nutritionist or a health food fanatic, a word will spring to mind: flavonoids! Both tea and chocolate contain this antioxidant organic compound, which is actually good for you. But this time we aren’t going to talk about health benefits. We want to let our senses do the talking. This post is intended as a guide to satisfying all your tea and chocolate cravings. So here are our favourite combinations:

For a true chocolate feast… . Amber and chocolate brownies

Squidgy, decadent brownies, with an intense chocolate flavour and crunchy chunks of walnuts or hazelnuts require a sumptuous, full-bodied tea like our Taiwanese Amber oolong, with a light smokiness and hints of chocolate and passionfruit. A combination that will satisfy even the greediest chocaholic.

Lahloo Amber and chocolate brownies

For a little treat…  Earl Grey and a chocolate madeleine

A petite chocolate madeleine is lighter, fluffier and smaller than a brownie, but sometimes that’s all you need to get your chocolate fix. The zesty flavour of Earl Grey will complement that of the chocolate as they both play in your mouth. If you take your Earl Grey with milk, try dunking your madeleine and enjoy an afternoon tea reminiscent of Marcel Proust, but still quintessentially English.

For a sophisticated healthy boost… Green Jasmine and single origin dark chocolate

Single origin, bittersweet dark chocolate is probably the most satisfying form of cocoa that exists – the food of the gods. Marvel at the way the divine flavours dance on your tongue when you pair the chocolate with a pot of fresh, crisp Green Jasmine tea. You won’t think of champagne and strawberries in the same way ever again.

Green Jasmine and a few pieces of single origin dark chocolate!

For a dainty dessert… Rosebud and chocolate mousse

There’s something intriguing in a chocolate mousse. The combination of the light, airy texture and the intense flavour of chocolate is intriguing and provokes avid reactions. A cup of the alluring, pure and delicate Rosebud will enhance this otherwordliness and provide the best romantic dessert we can think of.

Enjoy 20% off our chocolate partner tea heroes throughout February. Visit our online shop >> 

Destination happiness

We firmly believe in the curative power of a journey or a mini break. Remember the motto “happiness is not a destination, it’s a way of life”? Yes, sounds sensible, but in terms of travelling, we beg to disagree! While the journey itself can be incredibly rewarding, we think that happy destinations definitely exist, and that they bring out the best in us because they make us feel more positive and relaxed. In this list you’ll find some exotic spots, but other places that are closer than you think!

Beach of Tangalla, South Sri Lanka, by Milei.vencel

1. Sri Lanka. 

Amazing beaches, incredible spices that crown the perfect curry, awesome tea (like our own Smoky!), ancient ruins, welcoming locals… This tropical island in Southern Asia is a place to relax, whether this involves snorkeling, whale-watching or dedicating some time to your own spiritual awakening, as there are many meditation courses in English to discover.

Nerja (Málaga)

2. Nerja, Spain.  

The Costa del Sol can be very touristy, but some places are less crammed than others. Nerja is a beautiful, friendly fishing village that makes most of its income from tourism, but still feels peaceful, simple and charming. As well as the best possible climate, with proper summer days even in the winter, you’ll enjoy beautiful views, fresh grilled fish by the turquoise sea and thirteen kilometres of beaches. Don’t miss the astonishing, fairytale-like Nerja Caves.

3. Capri, Italy. 

In Greek mythology, Capri was the island of the sirens. Just a few miles off the bay of Naples,  it’s an excellent base to visit Sorrento, Amalfi, Naples, or, if you love history, the ruins of Pompeii. A great place for hiking, swimming, discovering ruins and grottoes and enjoying some of the local delights, such as juicy tomatoes, peppery rocket and creamy buffalo mozzarella. Very busy in the summer months, this is a sunny spring destination that will make you think of the perennial glamour of classic Hollywood films.

4. Cornwall, England. 

Cornwall’s own micro climate means that spring comes earlier here than elsewhere in the UK. This is the place to enjoy traditional English picnics with ginger beer (á la Famous Five) on remote beaches, hike among the wildflowers with the deep blue sea in the background or spend a day visiting dramatic ruins, then enjoy a local pint and some fresh mussels in the pub.

Old streets in Chania, Crete, by Jose Concalves

5. Crete. 

The biggest of the Greek islands is full of wonders: beautiful coastlines with turquoise sea; awe-inspiring  ancient ruins; charming, friendly tavernas where you can enjoy traditional music and complimentary raki; narrow, flowery streets full of artisan products and local olive oil and, of course, the food. Breakfast by the sea with sesame breadrolls, the best feta cheese you’ll ever try, tomato, olive oil, olive tapenade, decadent Greek yoghurt and sweet, cinnamony kalitsounia.

Seven reasons to start drinking Sobacha

Though Sobacha is very popular in Japan and Southeast Asia, you might not be familiar with this nutty, moreish herbal infusion. If you’re into Japanese food, you probably will have tried the delicious soba noodles (great with vegetables and soy sauce!). Soba is the Japanese word for buckwheat, a gluten-free whole grain related to rhubarb and with no relation to wheat, and Sobacha is the herbal tea made with roasted buckwheat. But why is it so good for you?

1. Sobacha helps regulate blood sugar levels, so it’s perfect to make you feel fuller for longer and to banish the four o’clock slump.
2. The roasted nibs are high in fibre that helps flush away toxines, therefore improving your digestion.
3. Sobacha contains potassium, which regulates water balance in the body. Drinking it regularly can help alleviate water retemption, an easy way to feel slimmer and healthier.
4. That feelgood factor! Sobacha is rich in Vitamin B, a natural mood enhancer. Perhaps that’s why it’s so comforting!
5. Sobacha contains antioxidants to protect your body from the inside and give you a healthy glow.
6. Zinc in Sobacha promotes a healthy complexion, improves stress levels and supports the immune system, so it’s a great caffeine-free alternative if you’re feeling under the weather.
7. Sobacha contains copper, which contributes to control cholesterol levels and fights anemia.

Tea Heroes 2012 – the results!

A few weeks ago we asked you to help us choose the Tea Heroes of 2012! First of all, we want to thank you all for your responses. We’ve already contacted the winner of a Tea Discovery tea taster set, so congratulations! Now it’s time to share the results! Hopefully this will help you discover a new tea -or maybe confirm that you were right about your favourites!

OPULENT BLACK ………………….. Spice Chai (32.4%)

Beating Bristol Brew by just one vote, the invigorating and comforting Spice Chai gets to the top of your trusted black teas!

INTRIGUING OOLONG …………… Orchid (36.1%)

This oolong is so stunning that even thieves love it! Our whole consignment of Orchid was stolen and we’re currently trying to source an alternative! True story. Too much Orchid love.

GALVANISING GREEN …………. Matcha (28.6%)

The mighty Matcha gets your vote, followed closely by Green Jasmine. Once you try Matcha there’s no turning back!

ALLURING WHITE …………….. White Peony (30.6%)

This seemed to be a difficult choice! White Peony, Snow Jewel and White Whisper got nearly the same number of votes.

HERBAL THERAPY…………….. Peppermint (28.6%)

The trusted English favourite beats the exotic Mulberry by just one vote!

 

Do you agree with the results?

15 simple feelgood tips from the Lahloo team

The Lahloo team has gathered to compile a list of simple feelgood tips that will help you start 2013 feeling calm and energised. For more inspiration, you can also check our Herbal Therapy Pinterest board!

This is our mantra for the New Year! You can print it out if you wish.

Body

1. Start the day with half a cup of hot water and a squeeze of lemon. It’s an easy way to alkalise your body and to clear toxines.  And you’ll get some vitamin C too!

2. Do some cat stretches first things in the morning.

3. Add a tbsp matcha to a green breakfast smoothie.

4. At the end of your shower, turn the water to cold for a few seconds. You’ll feel brave and awake, and it will improve your circulation.

5. If you can, take a walk to work!

6. Try a simple shiatsu massage to feel energised. Apply some pressure in between your thumb and index finger. Breathe.

7. Always carry healthy snacks. Fruit segments, toasted almonds, oatcakes, hummus and carrots, a banana or a boiled egg are perfect.

8. Make a potassium-rich vegetable soup from scratch tonight. Add some chickpeas for extra protein.

Soul

9. Do a good deed! Help someone today. Helping people makes us feel good too.

10. Save at least ten minutes each day to do something creative. Drawing, writing, knitting, cooking, taking photographs, making music or whatever you like.

11. Learn something new.

12. Grow your own herbs and add them to your favourite dishes.

13. Do a screen detox! Half an hour before you go to bed, turn off all electrical implements (yes, your mobile phone too!). Grab a book and a cup of tea and relax.

14. If you feel agitated and restless, breathe (and play some Tibetan singing bowls music. It will help!)

15. Remember to say ‘thank you’.

The Queen of Tea

Over ten centuries ago, the Chinese emperor Hui Zhong proclaimed it to be the culmination of all that is elegant. Lahloo founder Kate talks about why white tea is the Queen of Tea! Video by Raspberry and Jam.

Intriguing Oolong

Josh from Lahloo Pantry talks about oolong, the tea of the black dragon.

Lahloo’s guide to tea and biscuit pairing

As the nights draw in, it’s the right time of the year to sit in front of the fireplace and enjoy a good cup of tea and a biscuit or two while the wind and rain wail outside. But in the same way in which you wouldn’t dream of drinking red wine with your haddock chowder, the tea that suits your lemon shortbread might be spoiled by a ginger nut. So here’s our guide to tea and biscuit pairing!

Bristol Brew + Garibaldi biscuits

The über-popular Bristol Brew, a hearty and vibrant Assam, is one of Lahloo’s best sellers and a favourite of those who like a traditional cuppa. The thin, golden and humble Garibaldi biscuit, popular for over 150 years, matches its character to perfection. Fruity but not too sweet, Garibaldis are great for dunking, and Bristol Brew, great with or without milk, lends itself to it.

Earl Grey + Lemon shortbread
The zesty Earl Grey, aromatised with pure Sicilian bergamot essential oil, is another popular choice for both breakfast and afternoon tea. This British classic complements and enhances all citrusy flavours, so its perfect match would be crumbly, crispy lemon shortbread. Also ideal for dunking!

Darjeeling+ Orange and cardamom biscuits
The champagne of teas is the jewel in the crown of a classic afternoon tea, and it pairs well with orangey flavours. For a delicate, exotic note, reminiscent of the origins of Darjeeling, add cardamom to the biscuit.

Smoky + Cheese sable
Lahloo’s take on Lapsang Souchong is a velvety, subtly spicy black tea smoked over cinnamon wood. Strong and rugged, it would quickly overpower most sweet flavours. A savoury, flaky and rich cheese sablé with walnuts or pecans has the right consistency and the required punchy flavour -just don’t dunk it, unless you like your tea cheesy!

Spice Chai + Ginger nut
A warming and rejuvenating blend of Assam tea and Ayurvedic spices makes Spice Chai a cold weather favourite. Its naturally sweet flavour suits spicy biscuits well: ginger nuts, gingerbread, Swedish pepparkakor or cinnamon biscuits are all delicious when dunked in a Chai latte. A match made in heaven, and you can also add the loose tea as an ingredient to biscuits and cakes (particularly good in seasonal pumpkin pies)

Grandpa’s anytime tea + Oat and chocolate biscuits
The rich and satisfying Grandpa’s Anytime Tea, named after 112-year-old Kenyan farmer Arthur, is a blend superior to most breakfast teas that can be enjoyed with or without milk. The rustic texture and earthy, sweet flavour of an oaty chocolate biscuit paired up with this tea hero are ideal for elevenses.

Lahloo Pantry’s best biscuit recipes will be published on the blog throughout the month. 

If you’d like to book a place at Lahloo Pantry’s Great Dunking Debate on the 22nd of November, e-mail hello@lahloopantry.co.uk. Free entry, but limited places, so hurry up!

And remember you can enjoy 20% off all black teas this month! Visit our website for more information

Make your own sourdough bread with the Fabulous Baker Brothers

Does sourdough bread make the best toast? We certainly love it, so we’ve asked the Fabulous Baker Brothers for their sourdough recipe to share it with you. Don’t forget to enter this month’s competition to win a Bread Making Kit, a signed copy of their book and a tin of Smoky (their favourite Lahloo tea!)

Ingredients

• 300ml sourdough culture
• 500g good-quality white flour
• 200ml warm water
• pinch of salt

Method
1. To make your own sourdough culture, mix equal parts flour and water in a sealable jar -75g of each works well. The mixing action traps natural airborne yeast particles in the flour and water mix, and they begin to feed on the flour in the jar creating a living yeast colony. Leave the jar somewhere warm and remember to feed your sourdough equal parts flour and water every day. By 5 days in it should be bubbling and ready to use to bake our dough bread.

2. Put the flour into a bowl and add 300ml of your sourdough culture. Then add the warm water and the salt. Mix it altogether and then turn it out onto a table for kneading. It is a wet dough so you have to work it for a long time before it will start to come way from the table.

3. Once it’s stretchy, put it into a bowl and leave it somewhere warm to rise for 2 hours.
4. Shape the dough on a lightly floured surface to fit a proving basket or loaf tin. To do this, stretch the dough out into a long rectangle then fold each outer third inwards. Knuckle down a seam at the bottom of the dough nearest to you, then roll the dough from the top creating a tight loaf shape.
5. Dust the proving basket or loaf tin with flour and roll the dough in flour to stop it sticking. Put it into the basket, cover it and leave it to rinse in a warm place for a second time, for about 8-12 hours.
6. To bake it you will need a baking stone or a heavy metal baking tray. Get your oven very hot at 240C/ gas mark 9 and heat the stone or tray. Carefully turn the loaf out onto the hot stone or tray – be careful not to knock any air out. Give it your signature cut on the top, the put the dough in the oven and through a cup of water into the bottom of the oven to create steam. Bake for 30 minutes until golden.

You can browse some of the Fabulous Baker Brothers videos here.