Chamomile and elderflower jelly

The humble chamomile, with its sweet scent and floral flavour, has always been valued for its health properties: Egyptians used it against fever and ancient Greeks treated headaches and bladder and liver disorders with it. Our Calming Chamomile is a blend of these bright little flowers with a hint of fragrant lavender,  a soothing herbal infusion perfect in the evening or when you need to relax in the cleanest purest way… But its natural, earthy flavour can be enjoyed in other forms too!

For this simple but stunning recipe, we added elderflowers (another seasonal favourite here at Lahloo!) and English strawberries to Calming Chamomile. A lovely, summery dessert that sparkles under the sunshine like a gemstone.

Sunshine jelly! 

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp Lahloo Calming Chamomile
• 2 heads of elderflower
• 270ml water
• 2.5tbsp caster sugar
• 2 gelatine leaves

Place 1 tsp of Calming Chamomile and two heads of elderflower in boiling water. Cover with clingfilm and let them infuse for an hour.
Bring back to the boil and add some caster sugar, mixing well.
Meanwhile, soak 2 gelatine leaves in water. When it gets spongy, squeeze excess of water and place in a separate bowl. Strain over the hot liquid and whisk together.
Allow to cool to room temperature and pour into little glasses.
Cover them with cling film and refrigerate overnight.

Our tip: for a fruity twist, add some finely chopped strawberries!

Make Christmas special with Lahloo Tea

Give someone you love a Lahloo Tea moment! And today only, Monday 13th December, we’ll pay the postage!

These beautiful gifts are inspired by those moments in life that are made for tea.

BREAKFAST IN BED  Lahloo Breakfast tea, 2 egg cups and marmelade – serve in bed with a warm friend and a nice hot cup of lahloo tea!

TEA & BISCUITS Lahloo Earl Grey and delightful all butter bites with a subtle zing of lemon- the perfect excuse for a natter over a cup of lahloo tea.

COSY TEA & CANDLE Light a candle, make a cup of tea and curl up in a huge armchair! An evocative aroma of a blazing fire burning huge logs from an old cedar tree. Get cosy!

BLISSFUL TEA & CANDLE Run a bath, read a book, eat chocolate – soothe the senses. A beautiful floral, woody aroma of the rambling tea rose outside the cottage door, a flower pressed into a scrap book. Bliss!

FIRESIDE CHRISTMAS TEA Evoke memories of your favourite Christmases with warming winter spices blended with the woody aroma of the fire. A real treat!  Merry Christmas!

TEA & SIMPLICITY The ideal gift for any tea lover at home, work or play.

SHOP HERE FOR TEA GIFTS >

Lahloo loves escaping!

“Every cup of tea represents an imaginary voyage...” (Catherine Douzel).

I’ve been lucky enough to get out into the Cotswolds recently to create tea lists for a couple of fabulous spa hotels and it got me thinking. If, like me you like to escape the stresses of daily life but don’t have the budget for luxury weekends away, why not curl up with a book and escape for a while with a cup of Lahloo tea? My little ritual is to make a pot of tea, put Paper Aeroplanes on my iPod and imagine I’ve escaped for a weekend in Paris. Well, I think I deserve it and I’m sure you do too!

A sense of calm begins as soon as you brew the tea. Pour water over the tea leaves and wait. As you inhale the gorgeous aroma, imagine that first sip of tea. And because tea is full of amino acids each cup of tea leaves you feeling calmer. How about trying one of our most calming and relaxing teas?
EARL GREY Happiness is…laughter, picnic with friends, the sun on your face and Lahloo Earl Grey! Probably not immediately what you’d think of but the essential oil of Bergamot we use is nature’s feel-good remedy! A natural anti-depressant; this is happiness in a cup!

GREEN MULBERRY Sensational! Green Mulberry is our super infusion. Whilst you sip and relax remember that this caffeine free infusion boosts immunity, lowers cholesterol and blood sugars, strengthens bones and more!

DRAGON PEARLS Just like the buds appearing in our garden, downy tea buds are beginning to blossom on tea bushes nestling in the Fujian mountains. In a few weeks they’ll be picked for you to enjoy. Just 4-5 pearls give you 5 cups jasmine white tea.

PS If you’re really lucky you could actually escape and still enjoy a cup of Lahloo Tea! Stay at The Rectory Hotel in the Cotswolds and enjoy a pot of Lahloo Tea at breakfast, in their gorgeous gardens by the pool or after lunch at their village pub, The Potting Shed.

“The Rectory Hotel, Cotswolds“

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Relax with a cup of tea at riverstation, Bristol

r i v e r s t a t i o n is one of the most stylish places to spend time in Bristol – and we love it!  The former riverside police station is unrecognisable. The chic and modern structure rises over two levels with huge planar glass windows showcasing the striking harbour views. There’s something really special about being by the water whatever the occasion. In fact, since moving to Bristol, we’ve loved our Sunday brunches, Summer alfresco g&t’s and nibbles and friends’ birthday parties at riverstation.

We were over the moon when riverstation chef/partner, Peter got in touch. Peter has one thing in common with our other fabulous stockists, he shares our ethos for serving a really fabulous cup of tea.You see, the importance Peter puts on the sourcing of his fresh, seasonal and local ingredients is what makes riverstation food really, really good.

Why not visit riverstation for a lazy weekend brunch – sip a cup of Lahloo Breakfast whilst munching on poached eggs on toast with crispy bacon and reading the papers? Or meet a friend for a spot of afternoon tea and irresistible (I can vouch for that one, and so can these vintage loving ladies) cakes and patisserie and catch up on all the gossip? Or maybe just enjoy a cup of digestive green or herbal tea, Guricha or Sobacha, after your gorgeous supper?

All this is making me very hungry! Enjoy your tea time at riverstation, whatever the occassion!

i v e r s t a t i o n is one of the most stylish eating establishments in the city and renowned for excellent service and superb, seasonally driven food. This former riverside police station has been converted into a chic and modern structure rising over two levels with huge planar glass windows showcasing the striking harbour views. In fine weather our open-air terraces can be used and make a stunning location for dining or enjoying a drink overlooking the water.

The Lido, Bristol – relax, revive, invigorate

Bristol's Victorian Lido - spa, bar, restaurant

Bristol’s Victorian lido – dating back to 1849, underwent a complete refurbishment in 2008 to reveal a beautiful year-round, solar-heated outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, poolside bar  and an indulgent spa and Victorian tea room – all serving Lahloo tea. A real gem hidden away; it  feels like you’ve escaped the hectic pace of city life and taken a mini holiday!

The restaurant in the old viewing gallery is stunning with floor to ceiling sliding glass doors and the food is fantastic – honest and rustic – and cooked in a wood-fired oven. Downstairs, there is a relaxed poolside bar perfect for breakfast, morning coffee with friends, Sunday brunch, afternoon tea and supper.

Relax and unwind

The spa is the perfect place to relax and unwind and to escape the day to day rigours of everyday life.  The spa tretments are divine (I am lucky enough to vouch for that); a wonderful holistic experience that goes beyond the massage or facial but that also incorporates some precious ‘my time’ in the spa tea room.  Our bespoke tea blends perfectly compliment the wonderful treatments by relaxing the body and soul.

Love this new band! Paper Aeroplanes make perfect Sunday afternoon chilling!

Paper Aeroplanes new single, Cliche, is due to be out very soon, but we just couldn’t resist sharing this new band‘s sound with you! It is so chilled. It makes us think of a time when Sundays were for relaxing (not so many Sundays like that anymore). Imagine the perfect Sunday afternoon treat!

Kate‘s would be to go for a crisp, revitialising walk across Ashton Court then get home, batten down the hatches and curl up in front of the fire with a fantastic afternoon tea. Kate’s teatime treats would be

• a large pot of fragrant Darjeeling tea, (Second Flush of course),
• fabulous tomato, Stichelton and pistachio loaf,
• apple financiers,
• vanilla macarons
• and a very special person to share it with!