Macaroons from Bettys (or are they Macarons?)

April 2, 2013

Bettys Macaroons in a teacup

When it comes down to spelling differences between one country and another, is there still sometimes a definite ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ – or does it all just depend on which side of the border you’re standing on?

Take the case of the ‘Macaron’, for example. Or should that be ‘Macaroon’?

 

What an American calls a Macaroon

What I call a Macaroon

 

As an American, I grew up knowing the macaroon as a small cookie made with coconut and sometimes dipped or drizzled in chocolate; and the macaron as that lovely French meringue delicacy. (Until now, the best macarons I have ever had were at Mariage Frères Salon de Thé in Paris, and Ladurée (at Harrods) in London.)

But here in England, I have seen the word ‘macaroon’ used to describe the French ‘macaron’ and have been told that ‘macaroon’ is simply the British spelling of ‘macaron’.

 

Bettys Macaroons

What Bettys calls a Macaroon

 

At the end of the day, what matters more to me than how it’s spelled, however, is how it tastes – and Bettys (whom I have written about before) recently sent me a box of their gorgeous macaroons to taste and, as expected, I was not disappointed.

Bettys macaroons are handmade weekly, using only natural ingredients and no preservatives or artificial flavourings or colour. The beautiful box of six macaroons are raspberry, pistachio, lemon, and chocolate.  I know this is going to sound cliche, but honestly – they burst with flavour! You can really tell that they are 1) fresh, and 2) made with top quality ingredients. (My favourite was the pistachio.)

If you are looking for an extra-special treat, Bettys macaroons would be perfect. They are exquisite.

Handmade macaroons from Bettys

How do you feel about the whole spelling thing? Is it wrong to refer to the French ‘macaron’ as a ‘macaroon’ ?

 

 

 

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I can’t resist Whittard tea

February 14, 2013

Whittard Shop

Once upon a time there was a man named Walter. Walter was born in London in 1861, the son of a wealthy merchant family who owned leather factories in the tannery district. But Walter wasn’t into leather. He was into tea. He spent five years learning all he could about the tea trade and at the ripe old age of 25, he started his own business – a smart shop of shelves filled with gleaming caddies, brass scales, and tea .

Londoners of Walter’s day loved their tea. Capitalising on its popularity, Walter created exquisite, expertly blended luxury teas and made them available to everyone. Understanding the importance of tailoring your product to your customer, and inspired by the be-wigged law residents of the nearby Inns of Court, he even created a tea blend called ‘Barristers Refresher’. Cheeky Walter was a clever man, and he built a tea empire.

 

Whittard of Chelsea Logo

 

Walter died in 1935, and his tea shop passed to his sons, who kept the business thriving through war, a warehouse fire (the rebuild propelled a move to Chelsea), and family tragedy.  It’s had its up and downs since that time but through it all, this chain of tea shops – WHITTARD – has maintained high quality teas, and a loyal customer base.

Whittard has been a favourite of mine since my very first trip to England over ten years ago. The honest truth is that I simply cannot pass by a Whittard shop without popping in. Their store fronts are so welcoming and vibrant, and their products are wide-ranging and absolutely top quality. I have owned Whittard mugs, Whittard teapots, Whittard tea tins and Whittard tea.

 

Whittard Mug

 

I am at the moment somewhat obsessed with Whittard’s White Chocolate tea. When I first read about it, I was skeptical. White tea, made from the youngest, most tender of buds, is so very, very delicate and I felt sure that chocolate (even white chocolate) would surely overpower it. But it doesn’t – not at all.

 

Whittard White Chocolate Tea

The tiny, creamy pieces of Chilean white chocolate add just the right touch of taste and luxury to this beautiful white Chinese tea. If you are a Builder’s Tea kind of person, do yourself a favour and indulge. This is the type of unique, luxury blend that Walter would have liked.  Oh go on – try something new. Walter would be pleased.

 

 

 

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Are those tea leaves on Harrods’ family tree?

January 20, 2013

A Harrods Cup of Tea

Whenever I’m at Harrods, the first place I head to is the Food Hall, mainly because it’s one of the few places in the store where I can afford something. But the real reason is because I love the tea section. It’s not a particularly large space, but it’s crammed with boxes and tins of more than 300 pre-packed teas, and 165 single-estate, single original teas.

The last time I was there, they were featuring this 22-carat gold tea. As if.

22-carat gold tea from Harrods

You probably know all there is to know about Harrods, the world’s most famous department store:

That it had the very first escalator in history.

That it sits on 4.5 acres and is visited by 100,000 shoppers every day.

That A.A. Milne found the original Winnie-the-Pooh for his son Christopher Robin in the Toy Department.

That it employs 5,000 staff from over 50 different countries, together with 7  ‘Green Men’ who stand by certain doors to offer heavily-laden shoppers a helping hand.

But there’s one fact that I bet you didn’t know.

A brief history of Harrods

In 1834, Charles Henry Harrod, a London tea merchant (and grocer), rented a small shop on Brompton Road, Knightsbridge. The area was quickly becoming quite fashionable, and in just a few years, the discerning Charles – a man of good taste – put his store, Harrods, on the proverbial map.

It eventually passed from father to son, and Charles Digby Harrod continued to build the business by purchasing adjacent stores and introducing a delivery service that is still in operation today. The family sold the business in 1889, but Harrods continued to grow in profits and in size. Its motto is Omina Omnibus Ubique: All things for all people. It truly is legendary.

Harrods Tea Court

“Our customers want the best teas…” ~ Yousef Serroukh, Tea Buyer, Harrods


And all due to one man, a tea merchant, whose legacy lives on through the sales of luxury tea to discerning drinkers from across the globe.

 

The next time you are in London and visit Harrods, don’t be so much amazed by its size, atmosphere, or wealth as with the fact that it all started with a cup of tea.

 

 

 

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