Recipes

Where would we be without Halloween? This yearly celebration of all things ghostly and gruesome has deep historical roots and gives us a chance to let out our inner ghoul and enjoy the drama of it all. For many, it also offers ample opportunity to enjoy some deliciously indulgent Halloween sweets, cakes or chocolates. In this blog, we’ll be exploring how and why we eat them at this time of year and show you how to rustle up some Halloween treats of your very own…

Far from being a new fashionable trend, enjoyed by foodies in the world's best cities and popularised by TV programs. Going for brunch on Sundays dates back to late 1800's. Lots may have changed since, but our love for great quality fine foods, freshly roasted gourmet coffee, good quality speciality loose leaf teas have not. We're obsessed with good food and created a gourmet food company as a result, but we are definitely not alone in our newfound love for all things brunch...

Pancake Day is becoming more popular every year, particularly with the rise of social media - more pictures of pancakes, best recipes or creations made with everything from chocolate spread, to organic fruit jam or honey - are being shared than ever! Much like the other Christian holidays, Christmas and Easter, the day is now celebrated by all faiths and religions, purely in the spirit of fun and sharing.

Sweet, flaky and delicious, these traditional Moroccan pastries are best enjoyed with a refreshing cup of hot organic mint tea. Take a journey and get ready for afternoon tea in Marrakesh. Baklava comes in all kinds of variations with an array of different fillings – but one thing that unites them all is the light, breathtakingly flaky texture of the pastry...

This nutty, sticky tart makes a lovely, indulgent dessert – with earthy, fruity flavours, the delicious crunch of nuts and a deep, luxurious hint of sticky treacle and dark chocolate. This fantastic concoction of flavours combines to make an instantly crowd-pleasing end to any meal!

Bring back your best childhood 'gourmet food memories' in the kitchen – these indulgent 100% organic fruit spreads desserts take it to an extra level, with a traditional crumbly, buttery shortcrust pastry. Enjoy these blackberry jam tarts on their own or for an even more indulgent treat, serve with a scoop of creamy mascarpone cheese and a pot of tea.

Try these firm, crisp Italian biscotti are the perfect choice of treats to accompany your daily Italian espresso or cappuccino. Twice baked to give them their characteristic crunchy, firm texture, these are best enjoyed when dipped into your coffee to soften up into a tender, melt in the mouth delight.

Moist, crumbly and just the perfect touch of sweetness, this delicious polenta cake is an ideal tea-time treat when entertaining guests, or when you simply want a slice of something special. Almond flour and polenta gives this cake a soft and satisfying texture, while the rich taste of honey adds a fragrant depth. Serve with honey-sweetened hot tea for a wonderful afternoon indulgence!

We all love cookies! While cupcakes have made the headlines the last years as trendy (following the popularisation by American sitcom: Sex in the City), the simple homemade butter cookie deserves equal recognition. Not only are cookies easy to make but they can be dressed up in countless ways for any occasion and for all ages. Children love baking, so it's always fun if you stuck at home 'bored' with nothing to do, with only a few essential ingredients needed. And perfect with afternoon tea!

Most tea historians, rightly or wrongly, attribute the “invention” of ice tea to the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis when iced tea was popularised and commercialised. The summer of 1904 was a particularly hot one and drove many fair goers to shun hot drinks in favour of colder beverages, including a new cold loose leaf tea drink. But was ice tea only “invented” in the early twentieth century?

If you are honestly looking for something quick and easy for an afternoon tea treat, you need to look no further than with proper English scones. Traditionally scone recipes are handed down through the generations (as this one is from Chateau Rouge founder Sean's Mum) from a great auntie or nana somewhere as one of their "best" and most-treasured recipes...

It's summer, and every tea lover is looking for that 'perfect iced tea recipe' that will not only impress their friends and make them famous. If you are looking to make a delightful jug of traditionally styled ice tea (using an orange pekoe black tea) to accompany a summer barbeque or indulge in during those long summer evenings, or after tennis or a round of golf, then there are a few things you may want to remember...