A closer look at the June Collection 2023 

Turmeric Chai

TURMERIC CHAI & CHIA

NEW FLAVOUR ALERT!

Turmeric Chai WITH Chia, Almond & shortbread cookie.

This flavour inspiration comes from a cafe favourite drink! I live in a seaside town and enjoy the vibrant cafe scene it has to offer.

Kiama is a town offering a healthy lifestyle in more ways than one with many beautiful beaches, and coastal walks that encourage outdoor activity (so great for my well-being). Farmers markets that support local growers and makers are held every Wednesday afternoon, and the people of Kiama really love and support these.

The cafes just keep growing in quality here. I worked for a time at Little Earth Cafe & Roastery in Tingira Cresent (near the Little Blowhole) which I value greatly, and still feel like part of their cafe family.

So, I finally get to my inspiration. 

Working with Lau at Little Earth Roastery was awesome and a great opportunity to see and learn more about what is happening in the 'front of house' of the cafe. Lau has so much love for providing not just great coffee (he purchases the best coffee beans and roasts his own) but all of the cafe beverages are well considered and of a high standard.

This is where I was able to learn more about teas, and Chai. It was something I had never really ordered myself. But I have learnt it is really a very delicious complex blend of spices that is nourishing and beneficial to drink.

I really love working with these spices in my chocolate and have produced a Turmeric Chai chocolate bar before which was well received and surprised some people with how much they liked it.

This Bonbon I have made a white chocolate ganache infused with Turmeric Chai spices, then paired it with a Chia, Almond & Shortbread cookie for added crunch and interest. I always love when you are given a cute little handmade cookie with your Chai Tea, so thought it would be a good match.


Turmeric Chai Spices

How great does this spice mix look! I really love the warmth and fragrance of the Turmeric chai spice. 

This blend consists of Turmeric, Cassia-cinnamon, Ginger, Cardamom, Black pepper, Fennel, Cloves and Licorice Root.

The blend of spices lends well to flavouring the white chocolate in this ganache.


Almond Praline

Almond praline is a key ingredient in the Chia cookie crunch layer. This is made in my studio kitchen by roasting whole Almonds until golden, then separately cooking sugar to a dark caramel and blending the two together to a fine paste.

Also, in addition to the Chia seeds in the cookie layer to add the right texture and full flavour is a basic shortbread. This is made with just sugar, butter, flour & salt.

The cookie is then brought together with chocolate, of course, and 'Maldon' Sea Salt is added to season the nuts and help all the flavours shine. 



mORE ABOUT cHIA sEEDS! 

CHIA SEEDS are tiny black or white seeds that come from the plant SALVIA HISPANICA L., native to Central America. They were a staple food for the ancient Aztec and Maya civilizations, and today they are popular around the world as a SUPERFOOD. 

Why are chia seeds so good for you? 

Well, they are packed with NUTRIENTS that can benefit your health in many ways. Just one ounce (28 grams or 2 tablespoons) of chia seeds contains²:

- 138 calories

- 4.7 grams of protein

- 8.7 grams of fat, including 5 grams of omega-3 fatty acids

- 11.9 grams of carbs, of which 9.8 grams are fiber

- 14% of the Daily Value (DV) for calcium

- 12% of the DV for iron

- 23% of the DV for magnesium

- 20% of the DV for phosphorus

- 12% of the DV for zinc

- 15% of the DV for vitamin B1 (thiamine)

- 16% of the DV for vitamin B3 (niacin)

Chia seeds are also rich in ANTIOXIDANTS, which protect your cells from free radical damage and may lower your risk of chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease. Some of the antioxidants in chia seeds are chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, myricetin, quercetin, and kaempferol².

Some of the health benefits of chia seeds that have been supported by scientific studies are²³:

- Improving blood sugar control and reducing insulin resistance

- Lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels

- Enhancing weight loss by increasing satiety and reducing appetite

- Supporting bone health by providing calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium

- Boosting brain function and mood by providing omega-3 fatty acids 

Chia seeds are also very versatile and easy to use in your diet. You can eat them raw or soaked in water or juice to form a gel-like substance. You can also add them to your cereal, yogurt, smoothies, salads, soups, baked goods, and desserts. They have a mild nutty flavor that goes well with many foods 😊.


Source: Conversation with Bing, 21/06/2023(1) Chia Seeds: 7 Health Benefits. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-proven-health-benefits-of-chia-seeds.(2) Health Benefits of Chia Seeds - WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-chia-seeds.(3) Benefits of Chia Seeds: 9 Ways to Eat Them - Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/benefits-of-chia-seeds.(4) Are chia seeds good for health? If so, what are the health benefits?. https://microsoftstart.msn.com/en-au/health/ask-professionals/expert-answers-on-chiaseeds/hp-chiaseeds?questionid=ea8c9dvj&type=nutrition&source=bingmainline_nutritionqna.op of the page.

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Michelle x

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