LONDON TEA EXCHANGE DEBUTS AT SHANGRI-LA KL

 

The Great British Affair promotion by Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur got off to a tea-rrific start with an exquisite London Tea Exchange Afternoon Tea experience at the Lobby Lounge.

 

Available now until 31 October 2024, a fine selection of premium tea from London Tea Exchange will be served to complement delicious afternoon tea treats by the Shangri-La team.

 

At an exclusive preview to mark the debut of London Tea Exchange into the South East Asian market, the luxury tea brand hosted a tea tasting session at the Shangri-La KL.

London Tea Exchange Group Chairman Sheikh Aliur Rahman who joined the event virtually via live stream from London said: “London Tea Exchange has some 3,400 some premium teas sourced from over 40 countries across the globe. Our established, longstanding relationship with many individual tea estates mean some of the rarest tea are exclusive to London Tea Exchange.”

According to Aliur, London Tea Exchange is low-key but a purveyor of fine teas to numerous royal households around the world. “We’re proud of the instrumental role London Tea Exchange played in raising the daily wage of tea plantation workers. As part of the Fair Pay Foundation, we’ve helped to raise the income threshold for tea plantation workers, almost all of them women who earn less than USD4 per day.”

 

The tea tasting session saw us beginning with English Breakfast, a classic tea popularised in 1800s. On the palate, we discerned earthy Sri Lankan tea nuanced with the maltiness of Assam tea leaves and the smokiness of Indonesian black tea.

Another quintessentially British favourite, The Earl Grey captured our hearts with its refined blend of Yunnan black tea and Ceylon tea, gently scented with pure bergamot oil from Calabria, Italy. It was an enlightening discovery as we learned more often than not, the bergamot flavour is usually sprayed onto tea leaves hence the resultant aroma and flavour tend to be heavier and overpowering on both the nose and tastebuds.

My favourite has to be Milk Oolong which comprised hand-rolled Oolong tea leaves. The withered, slightly wet tea leaves are heated in milk steam to bestow the Oolong tea with a distinct creamy taste. 

Fruity tea lovers will take an instant liking to Bora Bora, a sweet, tangy tea made with strawberries, tropical papaya and a myriad of fruits to bright, palate-pleasing tea which can be enjoyed hot or cold. 

Floral with hints of raspberries, rhubarb and cherries, the Sea of Blossoms blend incorporates an array of carefully selected exotic blossoms to produce a soothing tea.

There’s a playful and inventive side to London Tea Exchange as well. The team took over two years to develop and perfect the Pistachio & Truffle blend, paying homage to the Middle Eastern culture. Using real pistachios and chocolate truffle, the subtle nutty-rich tea proved intriguing and luxuriant on the tongue.

LONDON TEA EXCHANGE AFTERNOON TEA AT LOBBY LOUNGE

To further showcase its range of fine teas, London Tea Exchange is partnering with Shangri-La KL’s Executive Chef Scott Brands and his team to proffer a limited time Afternoon Tea (3pm-6pm) at RM220 nett per set for two persons.

Most of the savoury creations flaunted pink hues, in tribute of Pink October. We sampled delicious Savoury Snow Crab Rolls, Diced Apple and Mustard Cress, and Norwegian Salmon Pinwheel for openers.

Top marks went to the Smoked Duck and Foie Gras Croquette with Cherry but no less appealing were the Trout Caviar with Beets Brioche and Summer Truffle Egg Salad.

Rose petal and cherry accentuated Sencha Sakura tea was chosen by the chefs to imbue its delicate flavour into the creation of Rose Ivoire Chocolate Mousse Meringue whilst the Sea of Blossom Tea lent its ethereal floral-berry notes to the crisp Wild Berries Macarons.

A stellar Dark Chocolate Mousse with Paillete Feuilletine (crisp leaf-like flakes) Victoria Cake infused with Orange & Cinnamon Tea grabbed our attention at first bite. It was well seconded by the enticing Sea of Blossom Mille Feuille.

We did adequate justice to the pink-hue Dried Fruit Scone with Bora Bora Tea and Plain Scones, piling a generous amount of Raspberry Jam, Clotted Cream and Whipped Butter on them. 

The tea treats made excellent pairing with Milk Oolong but the Premium Emperor’s Palace Tea – a Fujianese green tea with subtle honey notes won’t go remiss either.

For reservations at Lobby Lounge, Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, call tel: 03 2786 2378.

SAY IT WITH FLOWERS FROM HAPPY BUNCH

 

When it comes to ‘saying it with flowers’, I was rather chuffed Happy Bunch reached out to offer delivery of a bouquet of pink or purple carnations. Since I couldn't recall when was the last time I had sent or received any flowers, I was more than pleased to accept. I chose purple carnations over the pinks ones as I thought the colour was more unique.

To cut a long story short, the Flower Delivery KL service by Happy Bunch exceeded my expectations. I received a call from the delivery guy who arrived promptly at the intended destination on the requested date and time. Hubby received the bouquet safely and in perfect condition.

I was over the moon to hold the beautiful bouquet comprising fresh purple carnations paired with eucalyptus leaves, carefully wrapped in environmental-friendly brown packing paper. A cute little wooden peg held the message card, completing the whole presentation. Nice and simple yet thoughtfully conceived.

Honestly, I couldn’t recall the last time I held such a beautiful bouquet and I appreciate the little attention to details by the Happy Bunch team. Now I know just which Florist KL to order from next time I want a thoughtful gift delivered to my loved ones, to mark a meaningful occasion.

Thank you Happy Bunch for the floral bouquet. If you're interested, you can order a similar bouquet of purple or pink carnations from Happy Bunch via: https://www.happybunch.com.my/products/pink-carnation-bouquet or for more information and more details, visit
https://www.happybunch.com.my 

EASY, SIMPLE BITES FOR A GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION

 

Let's face it, Malaysians love a good celebration! Whether it's a wedding, a birthday, or even the grand opening of your kedai runcit, there's one thing guaranteed to bring a smile to everyone's face: great food! 

But when you're busy setting up, decorating with grand opening flowers (because, let's be honest, they make everything merrier!), and getting everything ready, the last thing you want is to stress over a complicated menu.

Catering vs. DIY?

Before we dive into the details, let's talk about the age-old question: to cater or cook it yourself? Both options have their pros and cons. Catering takes the pressure off you, but it can be expensive. Cooking yourself gives you more control over the menu and budget, but it's definitely more work.

If you have a small crowd and the time to spare, DIY is the way to go. It's a great way to show your personality and add a personal touch to your grand opening. But if you're expecting a large crowd or are short on time, don't be afraid to outsource some of the work. Remember, you can always mix and match – make some things yourself and order others.

Easy To Eat

Kuih: These bite-sized treats are naturally finger-friendly and come in a variety of flavours and textures. Think colourful kuih lapis, fragrant kuih bahulu, and the ever-popular kuih kapit. Arrange them on a platter, add some colourful sprinkles, and you've got an instant crowd-pleaser.

Satay: A classic for a reason! Marinated chicken, beef, or even seafood skewers grilled to perfection and served with a creamy peanut sauce and crunchy cucumber slices. Set up a mini satay station with skewers and dipping sauces, and watch them disappear!

Mini Curry Puffs: These flaky pastry pockets filled with savoury fillings like potato and sardine or chicken and peas are a guaranteed hit. You can even offer vegetarian options with lentil or mushroom fillings. Serve them warm with a dollop of chilli sauce for an extra kick.

Spring Rolls: Fresh and light, spring rolls are a great way to showcase your culinary skills. Fill them with julienned vegetables, shrimp, or even tofu, and wrap them in rice paper. Serve them with a sweet and sour dipping sauce for a refreshing treat.

Sweet & Savoury

Murtabak Bites: This popular street food can be easily transformed into bite-sized portions. Fill mini roti canai with your favourite fillings like cheese and egg, chicken and curry, or even Nutella and banana. Cut them into triangles and watch them vanish!

Nasi Lemak Cups: A deconstructed version of our beloved national dish, nasi lemak cups are fun and easy to eat. Layer cooked rice with sambal, peanuts, anchovies, and a fried egg in small cups or cones. It's a complete meal in one bite!

Chicken Satay Skewers with Peanut Butter Dip: Mini skewers of grilled chicken with a playful twist! Dip them in a creamy peanut butter sauce flavoured with a touch of soy sauce and lime juice. Kids and adults alike will love this sweet and savoury combo.

Mango Sticky Rice Balls: These bite-sized versions of the classic Thai dessert are perfect for a grand opening. Mix sweet sticky rice with ripe mangoes, form them into balls, and roll them in toasted sesame seeds. They're a beautiful and delicious way to end the celebration.

Tips for Success

Variety is key: Offer a mix of savoury and sweet options, as well as vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices.

Presentation matters: Arrange your food creatively and use colourful platters and garnishes.

Portion control: Smaller bites are easier to eat and help avoid waste.

Label clearly: If you have any dietary restrictions catered for, clearly label the dishes to avoid confusion.

Don't forget the drinks: Offer a variety of beverages, including water, juices, and coffee or tea.

Relax and have fun! This is your big day, so enjoy celebrating with your community.

 

ORCHID CULTURE BLOOMS AT TOUS LES JOURS

Since it arrived in the local F&B scene in June 2013, French-Asian bakery TOUS les JOURS (Everyday) from South Korea has been winning baked goods fans with its wide selection of bread, pastries, cakes and beverages.

Recently, a fresh idea has bloomed at Tous les Jours at the Empire Shopping Gallery Subang where the South Korean bakery franchise has teamed up with Orchid Culture to open the first orchid boutique in the country.

According to Orchid Culture director Darren Yeo (pix above), both Orchid Culture and Tous les Jours are in synergy when it comes to delivering the best and freshest in their business. "The focus on quality resonates with our brands and we strive to continue to provide only the best as Orchid Culture continues to grow."

Orchid Culture, which has two outlets - one in Bangsar Shopping Centre and the other in Tous les Jours Empire Shopping Gallery Subang, plans to expand the unique concept to more locations in the Klang Valley going forward.

Both entities are positive customers would respond well to their fresh approach as they believe while the tempting oven-fresh offerings of Tous les Jours are food for the soul, Orchid Culture's majestic orchids known as phalaenopsis should be a stimulating feast for the eyes.

An orchid specie native to Southeast Asia and Northern Australia, the flowers commonly known as 'moth orchids' are large and often resemble moths. It takes about 4-5 years for a carefully cultivated plant to bloom and the delicate, pretty blooms last about 2-3 months.

Although the phalaenopsis requires minimum maintenance in our Malaysian climate, it should be watered every 10 days or so. We were advised to keep the plants indoors as they are fond of human habitat temperate zones of 18-30 degrees Celsius. Keep them near bright windows or indoor lighting with plenty of air circulation.

This orchid makes an excellent gift for floral and nature lovers or as a focal centrepiece at home, hotels or even weddings. Prices start from RM70 onwards for a live plant. As the first and only specialised orchid florist, Orchid Culture is established by Waltex Biotec Sdn Bhd, Malaysia's largest grower of Phalaenopsis.

The next time you're stuck for gift ideas, pop into Tous les Jours Empire Subang and pick up a fresh orchid plant to go with the irresistible baked goods available there.

Check out Orchid Culture at Tous les Jours Boulangerie & Bistro, Lot GK08A Ground Floor, Empire Shopping Gallery Subang. Tel: 03-5036 7749. www.tlj.com.my