september tea thoughts

With September, and sadly autumn already, upon us here in the northern hemisphere, I will at least drink my tea in style during these dark months to come. It has been a summer of tea purchasing and many new, lovely flavours experienced (and I haven't even tasted them all yet).

I am also a sucker for a pretty tin - old or new - so when it says special tea so-so I always think it's a neat little souvenir. Always.

The two tins above M brought home from his last business trip to China in April. He had a fine time attending a tea-ceremony sampling teas at a tea-house (oh my green envy) and bought these two tins. Both are supposedly fruit teas, I've only had one of them. As is visible it's very pretty too look at and yes it tasted lovely too, however I can deal with the fact that not every tea goes well with milk (it curdled) but I'm rather put-off by tea (or any beverage) that is overly or pre-sweetened. In this case it might be the raisins in the tea. But still, perhaps not the best of ideas.

:: The tea from legendary Berlin department store KaDeWe came in a pretty tin - I have an old one in green ceramics from ten years ago, the earl grey tea in the tin back then wasn't praise-worthy though - I am however very much not a fan or rooibos tea. So I got it for the tin, but the raspberry-vanilla rooibos inside doesn't smell half bad so maybe it will actually be drinkable.

:: Löv organic is strangely enough a French brand (as far as I can figure out from their website) though the word "löv" means "leaf" in Scandinavia (even if we spell it differently in respective country, it is the same word) and they claim to have been inspired by Scandinavian life with this tea and its packaging. Be as that may, the packaging - bright, colourful tins with different flavorus of organic teas - are extremely pleasing to the eye (and heart) and the red fruit tea with raspberry and strawberry I bought tastes fantastic.

Not available in the Stockholm parts of Sweden as yet, if the website information is correct, but their webshop is about to open soon.

:: Not a fan of Starbucks coffee - but I love their free wi-fi, when it works... - but I quite enjoy their fresh, un-sweetened, natural ice-teas on a warm summer day. That said, I got this Earl Grey tea for the tin's sake... Haven't tried it yet, Earl Grey rarely excites me, but I think it might be good for making ice-teas and such.

:: When on Åland - exactly a month ago now, on my last day of holiday, before my month of August crumbled - I found this liquorice tea from Finnish Forsman Tea. I've had a few others of their teas years ago, but they never really appealed to me. I'm not a fan of liquorice either. But, I just couldn't resist the almost tangible scent wafting from this bag. And I have to say, it has been one of the loveliest teas I've ever had. Deep and rich in liquorice flavour, pretty amazing. And soon the bag is empty already, alas.

:: Another Finnish tea brand, that I've had as a big favourite for years now and always get M to buy when he's in Finland on business, is tea bags from Nordqvist. My favourite flavour is Faithful Friend - and not only because it's cat paws on the bag - and Cheery Rainy Day, but most of their flavours are great. Plus, needless to say, I adore their colourful, perky packaging.

Again, not a fan of rooibos, but as I enjoy most of Nordqvist's flavours I thought they might possibly created something drinkable with this. My verdict is - drinkable, but certainly not something I will be buying again. Black and green teas are my cup of teas. But heart to the pretty bags.

:: I will also be enjoying some more cups of the polka tea, there's still some left in the bag.

:: And I did get myself another bag of the chocolate tea from Malmö Chokladfabrik - not only will it arrive in the mailbox of a lucky winner soon, I will get to have a few comfort cups of it myself during the months to come, hooray!

:: Kobbs is an old Swedish tea brand, they sell some lovely teas, but admittedly I don't buy them very often. When I stumbled over an organic elderflower tea of theirs in Denmark (their factory is situated there) I got it though. Elderflower is, for some reason, so very Danish to me. It will be nice to have a cup of warming "Elderflower harmony" and think of Copenhagen this winter.

:: The organic forrest fruits tea bags from Danish Fredsted have been a very nice breakfast tea, though perhaps the flavour is tad too black-currant-tasting for my personal preference.

:: Olof Viktors bakery and café in Glemminge, southern Sweden, seems to be a place people rave about. We visited there this summer and I can safely say we won't be returning. Crowded, screaming children running around, an appaling lack of vegetarian options and very much lacking the cosy, welcoming feel one would have expected with that house and surroundings. I had a nice chocolate cake, but neither the food nor the bread were worth a praise. So imho, or rather in our opinion, very much overrated and not really worth a visit.

Bought three food things there though, one of them a white tea with coconut, pomegranate, cornflower and sunflower etc. Sounds exotic and intriguing, but I have yet to open the bag. I think I will save the opening date until I've finished some of the above teas. I hope it will be much nicer than the other things offered at the café...

:: That I didn't get to take more of TeaGschwendner's lovely ice-teas with me home from Berlin - so not checked off the Berlin-to-do-list - is still something I feel a bit sad about... Thus I will save this 'bottle' for a special occasion.

:: Last, but certainly not flavour least, when in Dalarna for the Bryan Ferry concert at Dalhalla, I found this special blend called Dalhalla tea. The bobbaloos, who are also very proud of their shopping skills, insisted I'd get a bag of it. As I'm very fond of rhubarb and cream tea I concurred. It's a rhubarb, strawberry and cream green tea and oh my, it tastes like a dream. It makes for a heavenly cup of tea, with or without milk. I am glad I heard the bobbaloos' voices that told me to get it.

Sidenote: Overall, one should probably listen more to the bobbaloos. They seem to have the perfect attitude towards life and harbouring a surprising amount of wisdom in their little woolly miniscule beings.

~

So what tea will you be drinking this autumn?

tea giveaway

I had planned a tea giveaway in blog for a while, but given the most kind and thoughtful comments recently in different posts, I thought it would be a nice gesture to do this sooner than later. And sooner as in right now.

Thus two recievers will get one of these teas, both are black teas. The left one I haven't tried, it's from picturesque smalltown Nora and has an aromatic scent of citrus and flowers. The right one is the wonderful chocolate tea from Malmö Chokladfabrik (chocolate factory) I blogged about a couple of years ago.

All you have to do to take part in the bobbaloo drawing (needless to say they will do the job this time too) of tea winners is to leave a comment in this very post telling me one of the following:

~ your favourite tea AND your favourite chocolate
~ your favourite tea AND your favourite citrus dish

Last day of entry will be August 10. Easy as that! The bobbaloos have communicated that they think 'the more the merrier' is a fine thing, as in they do appreciate having to chose carefully between lots of lovely chocolate and citrusy tea comments. In fact, they do lots of happy dancing (and standing on head) with every comment.

bobbaloos on holiday

According to a list I got today this is what the bobbaloos want on a holiday:

1. Stay in a castle
2. En-suite WC
3. Their own travelling funds
4. Party accessories
5. Outings

What the bobbaloos want, the bobbaloos (mostly) get. Do note that all these treats do not come from me. From me they would have gotten a basket to sleep in and outings. They are now officially sponsored and spoiled by M.

5) They get outings galore, from Scania (Skåne), to Berlin, to short stop Copenhagen. Their suitcase is filled with candy in case there'll be shortage of food (as if).

4) They have their very own champagne party popper *not that I'll allow them to take that with them*, earplugs for me and in case they party too much there's a first aid kit for mending. Plus a supersized toothbrush so they don't forget to brush their teeth. Apparently there's also something called a banquet and party service for bobbaloos (who knew). For some reason that scares me.

2) Their own toilet to-go.

3) Chubs is guarding the travelling funds. Unlike undersigned it is very unlikely she'll splurge the money on shoes.

1) They will get to sleep in a castle. Seth and Leonard are already practising their sleeping positions.

The aim is to keep in touch with blog during our the bobbaloos' trip. A little snap a day, Internet-connection permitted (it was a grand such last year, I'm sure it will me this time too. With an odd update on Twitter too, I'm sure). House-, cat-, dog sitter will stay in house (no need to trouble yourselves, burglars) and we are soon of on a hopefully fabulastic holiday trip again. For now, cheerio ~

gargoyles

They never seize to fascinate and entertain me, gargoyles.

eating out - kaffestugan annorlunda

In connection to the post the other day, the jaded post on Sweden and Swedish life in general one might say, here's an example of those little dear places of wild strawberries (smultronställen), lovely spots that makes the heart ditty (and the tummy rejoice), where the only thing you should and can do is sit back, relax and enjoy.

Kaffestugan Annorlunda (Coffee cottage Different) is a little gem of a café, situated in the Scanian national park Stenhuvud (Stone head). (Not too far from lovely restaurant Friden Gårdskrog.) The pretty timber-frame house was built as a school in 1846. In 1953 it was torn down, rebuilt in 1957 and turned into a café. Its motto being - everyone should afford to enjoy a good fika in a nice, jovial environment.

The café is now run by the third generation and it offers a very nice, homebaked cake/cookies/buns all- you-can-eat-buffet for a more than affordable flat fee.

As it is situated in the southernmost parts of Sweden it is not within regular reach for us, sadly, but if your in the vicinity or on summer holiday in those parts I highly recommend a visit. Be hungry when you get there, you will surely not be when you leave.

Food - 3-4/5
Service - 3/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Value for money - 5/5



Kaffestugan Annorlunda
Stenshuvud
277 35 Kivik
tel +46 (0)414 - 704 75
info (at) kaffestuganannorlunda.se

not a sporty animal

Many years ago I spotted this postcard. And it spoke to me. A catlike animal saying "how fortunate I am to not having become a sporty animal" - how spot on for me!

Because oh yes, I'm quite possibly the least bit sporty animal on this earth (to exercise in moderation and be active for health reason is not equal with being sporty), in fact I do truly loath sports. Such a brainless waste of energy, time and money. IMHO, personally I think and all that.

Postcard by quirky Swedish artist and silversmith Lisa Tofft, whose little animalistic feel-good book with high recognition factor "Jag är faktiskt väldigt mjuk på magen" (I am actually very soft on my tummy. 'said the hedgehog') is a little gem. She has her studio in Kivik, in the vicinity of Kiviks musteri and not too far from Friden gårdskrog. Such surrounding do inspire good thoughts. I just knew it.

new dwellings

New cardboard boxes are always a huge hit. Kiviks Musteri ones are not only good for carrying those delightful fruit juices and jams, they are even better for someone looking for new dwellings. The desirable boxy life.

With reasonably tolerable neighbours. Where there once was one box to fight about, there are now twin apartments. Not quite like super-box, but more than suffice still.

kiviks musteri

Kiviks Musteri (musteri ~ cider factory) is a family owned Swedish company specializing in making fruit juices, jams, creams, ciders. The company is firmly situated in the southeast of Sweden, in the gorgeous (my favourite) province of Skåne (Scania), in the apple kingdom of Kivik. The company's first apple trees were planted in 1888 and current owners are the forth generation running the company.

To me this sounds like one of those (too few) perfect companies. One I would have loved to be born into actually. That said without me knowing how the company's atmosphere is, how they treat their employees, exactly how good they are at CSR and so forth (as what's stated on a website and how things actually work may be two different matters).

But just the notion of working with local produce, fruit and berries, making a difference in one's own community, act locally think globally sounds so. very. very. very good. Surrounded by row upon row upon row of apple orchards and beautiful countryside.

Today the company also incorporates a wine company and a wine, restaurant and conference castle - Kronovall. (Which in an ideal world would of course serve vegetarian and vegan food only...)

Another thing I love about Kiviks products is the packaging. It's so pretty and pleasing to the eye, the colour combinations are most perky foreboding the uplifting feeling one will get drinking the fruity goodness inside.

And no, I most certainly don't enjoy their every product, some are too sweet for my liking, others too bland. But then there's pure loveliness hiding in some of these bottles, packages and jars, fruit combinations to please most palates. Apart from apples, flavours like rhubarb-raspberry, sea buckthorn, elderflower, carrot, flowering quince, blueberry, cranberry, pomegranate, wild strawberry...

Are there any companies you think stand for something extra appealing?



Want to read and see more about the province of Skåne (Scania)? Then click on the label "Scania" below.

i met moomin

It's far from often one stumbles over a literary character out an about strolling the streets. I met Moomin a while ago (not in Stockholm). Very surprised. Apparently he enjoys cheese. Go figure. Cheese may indeed be Moomin party. Unfortunately I wasn't wearing my party perky Moomin-dress.

eating out - friden gårdskrog

One gem of a place (yes, a veritable smultronställe) to eat at, we found on holiday in Scania last year - oh summer gone by where art thou' - was Friden gårdskrog (~The Peace farm inn).

Tucked away at the end of a dirt road in the beautiful countryside (quite tricky to find) of apple kingdom Kivik this former apple orchard is a real unpretentious haven that serves (mainly) luxury pizzas with unusual toppings (made from organic and locally produced ingredients if possible). The whole menu is seasonally based.

Booking is essential, the place is quite small and I can only imagine how crowded it must be during the colder months when there's no outdoor seating available. We were lucky to get a table just the day before we headed back home last, unfortunately it was for early dinner and we were rather full still after a late naughty lunch (of which there will be tell tell in a later post. Yes I am working my way through a backlog of blog post drafts...). So I can't say I enjoyed the meal as much as I would have been hungry for real. And dessert was really very much out of the question (bu-hu).

But yes, the pizzas were really very lovely. Very fresh, very pleasing to the eye. A reasonable selection of vegetarian options to chose from, and every pizza with clever names. And if one isn't vegetarian the seafood pizza looked luxurious and was really very good. I was told.

Friden also produce their own apple juice (which we didn't try alas) and spirituous beverage. As well as having four B&B double rooms to let at a reasonable price. They have a huge garden surrounding the property and a playground for children amongst the greenery.

I think it was, is, a wonderful, unpretentious place for a meal. It must be really very nice to live nearby being able to pop by more regularly than on the odd summer holiday and such... Thus:

Food - 4/5
Service - 3/5
Ambiance - 4/5 (but too warm to sit indoors on a hot summer day)
Value for money - 4/5

Friden gårdskrog

Södra Mellby 26:7, Kivik

tel: +46 (0)414 - 210 36

mail (at) friden.nu