Millie Vanillas Cupcake Cafe

Time for Tea Please?

This summer I’ve had plenty of time to read lots of books ! Taking some time for me has been really important after I was faced redundancy and was feeling a little lost so I had a perfect opportunity for some me time. To spend time reading a good book and having a cuppa or two. Particularly so when the book also lots of mentions of cake and tea through out makes the read for me even more perfect.

Which is why Millie Vanillas Cupcake Cafe by Georgia Hill was just the perfect book. A match made in heaven with a cuppa and a sweet treat, Millie would have wanted you to enjoy it that way.

As the book title suggests Millie is the owner of Millie Vanillas Cupcake Cafe! The story follows Millie through love, wanting , friendships , dilemmas , traveling and coming home. Getting to know her love life , Work life , back ground story and being with her as she makes important decisions not just for herself but the Cafe too. Following her journey and being taken a long for the ride. Not going to lie but Millie if you need some help in the cafe I’m more than ready to step in.

Happy Sipping 🙂

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Corfu Tea Travels

Time for Tea Please?
It’s time for my second summer adventure! This time I’m heading back to one of my fave places Corfu.

For our base we stayed in Kassiopi, a harbour town to the north of the island.
It’s beautiful day….

Or night!

And don’t get me started on how good these chicken gyros are!

But it’s tea travels so first stop is always the supermarket !

For once a selection of teas you can’t bye back in England, which is all part of tea adventures.

I was even lucky enough to find a selection of loose leaf teas whilst visiting Acharavi.

I may have purchased one or two to take home.

The other bonus of tea travels isn’t just the tea but also having the chance to explore a new place, country and culture. So here’s a quick glimpse of what else I got up to!
The ruins at Old Perithia

The crystal clear seas

The sunsets

The White pebbled beaches

Boat trips

Or just lazing on an inflatable !

Corfu has something for everyone !

Happy Sipping 🙂

Gozo Tea Travels

Time for Tea Please?

It’s summer!
After facing redundancy with what else was I supposed to do yet get on a plane for a much needed escape and some much needed traveling. I love exploring new countries, cultures and over course their tea!

First stop this summer is Gozo.

For those of you who don’t know Gozo is the sister island of Malta.

Well on the tea front my hotel definitely didn’t disappoint!

A mug of Twinings English Breakfast was the perfect choice plus 4 other Twinings selection for breakfast too.

Now speaking of breakfasts …..

I certainly enjoyed my maple bacon pancakes with a side of tea and biscotti!

It also wouldn’t be me without stumbling into the tea Isle

I just love checking out what other countries have on offer. I was quite surprised with how much was on offer as coffee certainly seems to be prominent. I have a feeling it may have something to do with its closeness to Italy as the food served in restaurants certainly reflected that.

Not that I was complaining as I love pizza and pasta! Yummmmm

Now if the food or the tea doesn’t persuade you Gozo might be up your street maybe some of the landscape might!

From the salt pans , to the blue lagoon , to the ornate architecture to snorkelling in the clear blue sea, it won’t disappoint !

Happy Sipping 🙂

Balaggan – Ginger Chai

Time for Tea Please?

When the lovely people from Balaggan contacted me about trying out some of there chai, I obviously jumped at the chance !

One thing that strikes straight away about Balaggan Tea is their packaging, it’s bright ombré effect along with the golden detail is exquisite and just screams India to me! It would certainly grasp your attention.

Today I’m going to try out their Ginger Chai.

The ingredients for this tea are: Indian Assam Black Tea 50%, Ginger 30%, Spices (fennel, cardamom & cinnamon) 20%.

Upon opening the tea pouch you are instantly engulfed with an almost fruity ginger aroma. It’s almost like smelling a Christmas pudding . Its smell being rich, intense and enticing.

While brewing it is the aroma of he tea that blossoms being balanced with cinnamon notes. The brewed liquid is of a dark brown colour.

First sip and helloooo ginger ! With 30% of the blend being ginger I was ready for a kick and you get that as well a punch. It is great ! I love it when a tea does what it says it will.

Unlike other chai teas where the spices attack from the front within this blend it’s used for warmth and flavour but as a second element after the ginger. Where it’s followed on by the third and final flavour the Assam.

The blend is almost like magic , it’s warming and heartfelt and is very much a hug in a mug ! The ingredients combined in the quantities that it has been allows for a taste sensation in perfect quantities.

A mug of Balaggan Ginger Chai will certainly cheer you up.

Happy Sipping 🙂

Knightsbridge – Raspberry and Peach

Time for Tea Please?

The heatwave is in full swing and so I’m in search of a FruiTEA to help get me through it! Even better if it works or hot cold.

So today I’m trying Knightsbridge – Raspberry and Peach.

This blend uses: Apple Pomace, Hibiscus, White Hibiscus, Blackberry Leaves, Chicory Root, Elderberry, Rosehip, Liquorice Root, Raspberry, Peach Juice & Natural Flavours.

A lot of ingredients for a tea named after just 2 of them!

Upon opening the tea box, you are instantly hit with a mixed sweet fruity aroma it almost reminds me of sherbet! Mmmmmm

Let’s get brewing!

The aroma while brewing is completely different gone is the sherbet and hello Peach Melba!

Here’s hoping it tastes as good as it smells!

The brewed liquid is of a pinky orange tinge which was to be expected considering the ingredients within the blend.

I always find with herbal fruit teas the longer the brew the richer the taste. So I tend to brew closer to the 5 minute mark then perfect temperature to get sipping.

First sip is delicately fruity!

I’m not really sure that you can individually taste the raspberries and peach but more a perfect blend of the two. Peach Melba in a mug, hey would it be weird to add a scoop of vanilla of ice cream to the mug?! Maybe another day! It’s a tea that stays the same taste through out the whole sipping experience which is always a bonus in my book. It’s not an overly strong punchy herbal tea but it is light and fruity.

Sometimes you just know when a tea will be just as nice cold and this is one of them, lots of ice and a slice of lemon and this would be the perfect summer cooler! Hey maybe the ice cream idea wasn’t so bad although. Au where one of you guys can try it first and report back !

Happy Sipping 🙂

Twist Teas – Apple and Blueberry

Time for Tea Please?

Like many of you I love trying out new teas ! Even more so when a fellow tea blogger sends me one to try. Thanks to pinkiebag I’m able to try Twist Teas Apple and Blueberry.

Twist Teas “share the belief that there’s nothing like a cup of tea to lift the spirits and raise a smile, whether drunk alone or in a group, out and about or in the comforts of your own home”.

I love this ethos! It’s the perfect description of why I love tea !

Apple and Blueberry

Upon opening the tea pouch you are engulfed with the teas fruity tones , I just hope it tastes as good as it smells as my mouths watering hehe.

For this blend Twist Teas uses apple pieces, dried blueberries, hibiscus, rosehip, elderberries, cornflower, orange peel and natural flavourings.

Let’s get brewing !

The aroma while brewing is just beauTEAful. It’s sweet berry aroma is just enticing. The sun is currently shining and I’m more than ready for this brew.

The brewed liquid is of a dark pink colour yet vibrant at the same time and fits with the summery mood.

First sip and it’s very delicate. It’s taste isn’t quite as powerful as its dried aroma led me to believe. Flavours don’t scream out to me as much as I hoped it would. It’s light in its flavour notes I’m not really tasting the Appleness but it’s berry side certainly is. Blended with undertones of the floral aspects of the blend.

After doing a bit research into this tea blend via twist teas website it’s actually classed as one there cold brew teas. Now this could explain the lightness in its flavour while hot but I do agree that it would fit perfectly for a cold brew as its a very summary brew.

Wether hot or cold, this is a perfect feel good, just longer the brew time the better!

Happy Sipping 🙂

Whittards Covent Garden

Time for Tea Please?

The newly improved Whittards of Chelsea Store in Covent Garden opened this weekend and any trip to London always means paying a visit !
It’s also looking super summery and beauTEAful too.

Happy Sipping 🙂