tea-infused chocolates

While browsing the lovely images of Tastespotting, I came across tea-infused chocolates. I can't decide if I'm bitter that they only ship to the UK and I cannot try them or grateful that they only ship to the UK and my backside isn't growing as we speak. It's a semi-sweet situation for sure!

I'd like to introduce you to Matcha Chocolat - tea infused, handmade chocolates.

All fresh Tea Chocolates are made entirely by hand, from start to finish by Katie, the creator of Matcha Chocolat. The making of each batch of Tea Chocolates begins by infusing fresh, organic cream with a select white, green, or black tea. The resulting fragrant cream is combined with chocolate to create a ganache that is ready to be enrobed in chocolate, specially chosen to compliment each tea infusion. The finishing steps involve lovingly decorating each Tea Chocolate with crystallised flower petals, dried fruits, or colourful motifs.

The seasonal a little bit of everything selection is currently their Jade Selection.
The Jade Selection contains a total of 16 chocolates in the following 5 varieties: Sencha, China Rose, Liquid Jade, Strawberry Summer, and Masala Chai.

But you can't have delicious tea-infused chocolates without a fine tea to go along with them. The all-inclusive Jade Gift Set includes the above chocolates along with:
2 Chocolate Parasols - Kashmiri Chai and Bergamot.
50g English Black tea in decorative tea caddy.

What are chocolate parasols you ask? Well, I'm so glad you asked!
Solid white chocolate disks infused with Kashmiri Chai spices and Solid milk chocolate disks flavoured with bergamot oil.
Yes, Please!

If you're looking for a smaller all inclusive set, I think the Chai Tea Gift Set looks absolutely divine. Chai  does happen to be one of my favorite blends of tea!
Giant Tea Chocolate box containing four Masala Chai chocolates.
Kashmiri Chai Chocolate Parasols.
50g Masala Chai in decorative tea caddy.

As I mentioned, Matcha Chocolat does not currently ship to the US, but if you're within the UK I'd recommend finding out if they're as delicious as they appear. Seriously, take a moment and check out their Chocolate Selections and see the details of these sweet creations. Grab a napkin, you'll be drooling on your keyboard before you reach the bottom of the page.

I am just dying to give these gorgeous confections a try myself. Any UK bloggers want to work out a deal? =) Or if you're out there Matcha Chcocolat, could you bend the rules just once for this American with a serious sweet tooth?

**all images are original images from the Matcha Chocolat site**

non-paper cups

While browsing World Market this past weekend, I came across their new "non-paper cups." I'm a big fan of reusable to-go cups as part of my efforts to go green - I also firmly believe that everything tastes better in porcelain or ceramic. I don't know about you, but a paper or plastic aftertaste just isn't how I choose to flavor my tea!

{source}

I absolutely fell in love with these ceramic mugs. They are heavy-weight and their silicone sleeve insulates them so that you can comfortably hold them, even with your hottest beverages. I absolutely love the feel of drinking out of a porcelain mug, even while on the go! I was slightly skeptical of the silicone lid, but decided to go ahead and purchase one anyway. After several uses, I'm excited to share that there was absolutely no leaking around the edges of the tight fitting silicone lid.

These mugs are dishwasher safe and come in a large variety of colors and patterns {many more than what is pictured on the website}. They are available as a set of two online, but are sold individually in stores. If you're looking for a fashionable way to go-green, I highly recommend these non-paper cups!

Joie goes public!

I was so excited to be on Twitter late enough last night to see that Joie Patisserie has officially opened their virtual doors to the public!

{cute is right! I love the new site!}

I first tried Joie Patisserie's French macarons at the Pamper Me Fabulous event earlier this year in L.A. Let me tell you, they were fabulous! I have to admit that they were the first French macarons I had ever tried. After one bite, I was hooked. And after trying several others, these are still hands down my favorite to date!

{Mango, Fleur de Sul, and Cassis Macarons}

I have personally tried the Mango with fresh mango cream and they were to die for. Just the right amount of sweet, tart, crisp, and creamy all working together in perfect, mouth watering harmony. I have my eye on the Fleur de sul Caramel, as after falling in love with her Pistachio Caramel macarons, I know her caramel is top notch. I would also like to get my hands on some of the Cassis with Cassis Raspberry Ganache because they are just so pretty! Besides, you can never go wrong with raspberry in my book!

I'm very excited to see that Joie Patisserie has expanded to online ordering, especially because it means that I can enjoy these fabulous treats outside of L.A, and I wish them the best of luck in their newest adventure!

*All images from JoiePatisserie.com

iced tea month

June is designated as National Iced Tea Month and just in time to celebrate, Celestial Seasonings has come out with iced tea K-cups for the Keurig brewing systems. I absolutely love my Keurig system. Although, I have to be perfectly honest that I've never used it to make tea from pods. I simply use the reusable filter cups to make my own selections of coffee or simply heat water for my own loose leaf tea.

Celestial Seasoning's Perfect Iced Tea look enticing enough for me to give them a try.

Brew Over Ice K-Cups® are specially formulated so that these refreshing, flavorful beverages are never diluted or watered down... Perfect Iced Tea K-Cups contain a blend of tea, sugar and natural flavor, specially formulated to brew directly over ice for a Perfect Iced Tea every time.

They come in a pretty wide variety of flavors for being a new product - my only complaint being that they don't offer a variety pack. Flavors include: half and half {half tea, half lemonade}, unsweetened black, sweet lemon, sweet peach, southern sweet, and sweet raspberry.

When I do purchase K-cups, I hit up Bed Bath and Beyond with some 20% off coupons to save a little extra. I just may have to stop in and check out the southern sweet or sweet peach later this weekend. I'll be sure to keep you posted on my thoughts once I check them out.

adagio teaV

The very first signature blend that I created at Adagio Teas has been featured on Adagio TeaV! Check out Zack Luye's review of my very own Spiced Pomegranate Tea!

Episode 72 - Spice Pomegranate from Zack Luye on Vimeo.

After Zack's review, I have switched the cherry tea from a green base to a black and upped the pomegranate ratio to give the tea a little more "umph." As always, signature blends can be purchased directly from Adagio's website for only $10 per 4 oz!