Saffron tea, short on flavour, high on health benefits

A LUXURY spice, saffron has a really rich colour, taste and aroma. Saffron derived from the flower of Crocus Sativus, is one of those spice commodities that has still maintained a high value despite the ever shrinking world.

Fasting, fruit and fried treats

IT’S 1:10am. The sky is tarmac black outside and all life seems to have grounded to a halt. But not in many Muslim households for it is the holy month of Ramadan, a time of reflection, a time of fasting and a time of devoting oneself to Allah. And there is only four minutes to go before another long day of fasting commences.

Lemon, Ginger & Mango Is A Heart Warmer

FRUIT blend tea’s can be very hit and miss, many tea makers find it difficult to find a well balanced blend. It is either over powering or under whelming in one way or another.

REFRESHING: Cup of tea

Strawberry & Mango Leaves No Taste

ON paper strawberry and mango sounds like a delicious blend but in actuality this offering of tropical fruit infusion from Twinings is anything but delicious.

It lacks any of the exotic aroma of mango and the centerpiece for many a fruit tea, the strawberry, never comes to the fore.

The lack of taste is such that when you drink the concoction it leaves you wondering if you’ve actually even added a teabag to you pot or cup. Simply put, it is like drinking boiled water.

It’s a real shame as I am a fan of both mangoes and strawberries as fruits and flavourings to drinks. This though leaves you with a gritty texture in your mouth and a soul darkening feeling.

The only positive that I can think of this tea is the colour, a rich vibrant red that is as enticing as a Kate Bush dancing around in her red shoes and the smell which screams ‘You’re The One’.

Unfortunately when you do actually take a sip it is less ‘Moment’s of Pleasure’ and more ‘Big Stripey Lie’.

Don’t be fooled by the exotic promise usually offered when mango and strawberry are combined. This is a tea that should be avoided unless you want your room to smell nice and want red stained upholstery.

3/10

Smokin’ Lapsang Souchong

THE discerning tea drinkers tea, Lapsang Souchong is surprisingly versatile. It can be drunk with milk and without, although for the traditionalist looking to drink this Chinese tea from the Wuyi Mountain it is best drunk sans milk.

Self Checkout? No Thank You

A utopian vision of the future whereby everything that we do, we do from the comfort of our homes. Everything is connected, everything is broadband and everything we deal in is abstract. Food and groceries are delivered to the door. Machines rule.

SELF CHECKOUT: What a palaver

Coffee and Vinegar

The scent of vinegar lingers in the air. The spotlights simmer at random angles, off the sea of tables. The chairs sway on the iridescent purple and arid grey chunks of carpet. The white painted walls glisten like a pilchard fresh from the sea.