Continuing the series on Social’s Teas, this post is about the Red Chai.
Many of you would already be familiar with Chai teas and maybe even more familiar with Chai Lattes. Chai Lattes, by the way, are incredibly delicious if made well and not overly sweetened! The Red Chai from Social was probably the best I’ve ever tasted.
Red Chai:
“Hot and Spicy” ingredients is what the packet advertises, and boy does it deliver! The base of this tea is Rooibos (pronounced Roy-boss) a type of red tea. It’s then ‘spiced up’ with ingredients such as aniseed, ginger and cinnamon. When opening the packet of Red Chai, be prepared for an assault on the olfactory senses! Fragrances of aniseed, clove and cinnamon immediately jump out and entice you to drink up. When water is added, these scents become even more pronounced. Taste: I’d say that this tea packs more of a scent than a taste. However, given its incredibly strong smell this comment should not be taken as a slight to the taste! Ginger is the predominant flavour in the mouth and provides that spicy kick that the pack advertises.
No milk or sugar needed. However, some steamed milk and a touch of sugar can be added for a yummy Red Chai Latte!
Stay tuned for the English Breakfast.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Special-Tea: Roasted Almond
thursday.23.june.2011
Almost a year to the date, Father Dearest made a trip back to Toronto to visit our friends at the Canadian Barista and Coffee Academy at the end of May. Our lovely host from the workshop last year and super coffee shop supplies supplier, Dawson, was most obliging in facilitating a meeting with the roaster at Social. Social – the makers of such fantastic coffees as the People’s Liberation and People's Daily- will be our main coffee bean supplier at the Perfect Cup café. However, this post is not about the coffees (of which Father Dearest brought back an ample supply) but about the teas.
I must admit, I wasn’t overly excited about teas before- I mean, we’ve got so many fantastic coffees to get through first! However, the gorgeous selection of teas that were brought back changed my mind.
Roasted Almond:
Apparently this is the newest craze in Social’s Specialty Teas up in Toronto. As I’ve been living off of Almond milk for the last month and a half, I figured Almond tea would be quite enjoyable too… it was! The almond pieces are mixed with sweet apple pieces, beetroot (for colour) and spices. When the pack is opened, a sweet aroma of cinnamon and apple touched with nutty goodness greets the drinker. Add water and the scent of almonds is most pronounced. Taste: I personally find that the taste of apple is prevalent for the first few sips. As the tea cools, however, the nutty taste of almonds takes over. No milk or sugar recommended.
Verdict: A different and delicious alternative to the usual sweet and fruity herbal teas.
Stay tuned for the Red Chai!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Comeback Queen???
Nope not Whitney Houston… (although I really do wish she could make a successful comeback). I’m talking about this blog writer! Sorry I’ve been away for so long. But thanks again to all those of you who continued to show your interest and support.
The new year (I haven’t posted since December last year!) brought many new opportunities and challenges for Husband and myself, which kept me away from the blog. I took on a part-time lecturer position in Latin American International Relations at a college in January. Time that would usually have been spent on blog posts was subsequently assigned to lecture preparations and essay corrections.
Husband and his business partners opened up an optometrist’s practice in February – for those of you living in Trinidad, check out LOOK Opticians for fantastic frames, good prices and excellent service! Don’t just take my word for it. Come check it out yourself! ** Gratuitous plug ends here **
Pre-natal preparations from classes to shopping to exercises to finding a new apartment seemed to have taken up the rest of my time. Our little Coffee Bean finally reached roast perfection on May 11th and has been happily taking up just about all my time since! Maternity leave is a fantastic invention! Husband is most envious of the time I spend at home. He thinks I get to sleep a lot. How misguided!!! Admittedly, having my mother stay with us has been a HUGE help, for which I am extremely grateful, and does allow me to catch up on sleep.
And… the last new activity that has been keeping this blogger occupied??? Preparing for the opening of the Perfect Cup Café!!!!! Father Dearest and I secured a space for the café in March and have been putting things in place bit by bit since then. Thanks to our friends at Classic Awards and Buy the Corner Convenience Store (the newest and only convenience store on the Avenue- perfect for after work grocery pick-ups- great prices here too! :o) for helping. We will be located at the Corner of Luis Street and Ariapita Avenue, right between Classic and Buy the Corner. Our “coming soon’ sign is already up, walls are painted, furnishings are going in and we hope to open in August.
Well, now you’re all caught up on what’s been going on. I’ll be keeping you informed as to the progress of the café as the weeks go by. Blog posts will probably be reduced to about 2 a week now… after all, on top of everything else, I do have a very tasty and super important Coffee Bean to look after!
The new year (I haven’t posted since December last year!) brought many new opportunities and challenges for Husband and myself, which kept me away from the blog. I took on a part-time lecturer position in Latin American International Relations at a college in January. Time that would usually have been spent on blog posts was subsequently assigned to lecture preparations and essay corrections.
Husband and his business partners opened up an optometrist’s practice in February – for those of you living in Trinidad, check out LOOK Opticians for fantastic frames, good prices and excellent service! Don’t just take my word for it. Come check it out yourself! ** Gratuitous plug ends here **
Pre-natal preparations from classes to shopping to exercises to finding a new apartment seemed to have taken up the rest of my time. Our little Coffee Bean finally reached roast perfection on May 11th and has been happily taking up just about all my time since! Maternity leave is a fantastic invention! Husband is most envious of the time I spend at home. He thinks I get to sleep a lot. How misguided!!! Admittedly, having my mother stay with us has been a HUGE help, for which I am extremely grateful, and does allow me to catch up on sleep.
And… the last new activity that has been keeping this blogger occupied??? Preparing for the opening of the Perfect Cup Café!!!!! Father Dearest and I secured a space for the café in March and have been putting things in place bit by bit since then. Thanks to our friends at Classic Awards and Buy the Corner Convenience Store (the newest and only convenience store on the Avenue- perfect for after work grocery pick-ups- great prices here too! :o) for helping. We will be located at the Corner of Luis Street and Ariapita Avenue, right between Classic and Buy the Corner. Our “coming soon’ sign is already up, walls are painted, furnishings are going in and we hope to open in August.
Well, now you’re all caught up on what’s been going on. I’ll be keeping you informed as to the progress of the café as the weeks go by. Blog posts will probably be reduced to about 2 a week now… after all, on top of everything else, I do have a very tasty and super important Coffee Bean to look after!
Machine Envy
thursday.23.december.2010
This gorgeous machine is certainly a huge upgrade from his old baby DeLonghi and even makes my Rancilio look a little tired. Not that I’d trade in my faithful Rancilio any time soon! The crema produced by the Expobar is quite rich and dark and milk steaming goes relatively quickly. I’ve tried a couple Café Noir lattes from this machine so far and both have been quite well-balanced in terms of texture and taste.
On the down side, Father Dearest has yet to order his new grinder. His current Cuisine Art burr grinder is certainly no companion for the prowess of the Expobar. So I’ve graciously (or not so graciously) lent him my Gaggia. I’m counting down the days now until I get my hands back on my grinder! Poor Rancilio can’t be expected to produce good shots from blade ground coffee beans. In the meanwhile the trusty French Press and Hamilton Breach brewstation have been holding down the fort.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)