Tea Time in Wonderland

Posts Tagged ‘Greenwich’

And I thought the Borough Market was the best market in London!

Give this one a try. Jump on a Thames Clipper (not cheap, I have to say, but it does convey such a holiday feeling. And I love going under the Tower Bridge) and have a walk through the Greenwich Market

Oh, of course, you’ll find plenty creative stalls: modern designed t-shirts, wooden fairies, wonderful designer clothes, ceramics, jewel soapd, romantice dishes, paintings… which you could also find @ the Old Spittafield.

For this one, let your stomach guide you… See how tempted by everything you will be…?

How maddening, so many colours, flavours, smells! You don’t even know where to look. Here you can eat Italian, Japanese, Turkish, Argentinian, Ethiopian, Vegetaria, Portuguese… And don’t forget the smoked meats, the French saucisson, the pile of cheese, the pancakes, the dried fruit!

Yummy Awards:

The Sultan’s delight for its Turkish pizzas: a kind of naan cooked with onions and parsley, then seasoned with salad, yogurt and hummus. A feast, flavours exploding in the mouth. You can’t get enough of it. £4.50 eahc, and belive me there’s enough for two.

Still hungry? Stop at Mamma Mia! for those rice cakes -  crispy outside, melting inside. And the saffron makes it very unique, unresistable. I hadn’t eaten such good ones since Rome…

Now, you cannot leave without a sweet touch. No hesitation, it will have to be a churros @ Gaucho Sons of Pampa. We have them in France as well. In Spain, you’re to dip them into creamy chocolate. Here they will be moulded, cooked and rolled into cinnamon and sugar in front of you then… filled with chocolate or dulce. Pure ecstasy! The smell of warm cinamon, this crunchy texture, and the vanilla note inside before eating the caramel… £2 for such a treat is pure heaven.

Et pour faire couler tout ca, vous trouverez des cocktails de jus de fruit… et des thes formidables a Inago Tea.
Finish with a fruit cockatil or even better, try one of the extraordinary teas from Inago.

Why not walk this off? Greenwich is ideal for romantic walks or family afternoons. The National Maritime Museum is free so is the Old Royal Naval College – the painted chapel ceilings are worth stopping by. Or why not head through the park and walk up the hill to the Greenwich Meridian and observatory for a fab view on the City?

The Greenwich Market
Stockwell St
London, SE10

I know and like my classics – Earl Grey, Souchong, maccha, a roasted tea. I particularly love nokcha these days. I curl up comfortably in an armchair, As if it were an old friend, a silent but intense converation then begins.

During the day, I want something festive, sparkling, surprising, extra-ordinary. I want to be amazed. I make stocks @ Mariages Freres and Theodor in Paris – there wasn’t much fun to be found in London teas.

A stroll to the Greenwich market has now saved me. I was immediately drawn to Inago’s stall – emerald notes, fun logo. Inago actually is a Japanese dish of grilled sweet grasshoppers. I first learnt about them in Africa – the crops were being destroyed by the insects, the local population starving. Grilling them was a survival option, really, but they found out it actually is quite tasty.

The philosophy’s quite simple: savouring excellent teas while taking time for yourself. Work with smaller tea gardens, respect traditions and real flavours. A reassuring vision but getting classical these days: I needed proof. Good for the soul has not always proved good for my tastebuds.

But Michael Grant has a real passion. You just have to see his smile when discusssing teas. Have a look at his website – he designed it entirely. Listen to him explain tea varieties, flavours, techniques, prepare your drink – he doesn’t even have to look, he knows each gesture so very well. And what an alchemist! I’m like a kid at Xmas: mint and jasmine? Mint and cardamom? Plum and apple? Apricot and honey?

Even better, you’ll find yummy declensions of green tea: scones, iced cocktails, milkshakes, even jelly! Do try the mean shake with sencha and a mint note, so very refreshing… The tea buzz even has gingerale in it! I tried this week-end a wonderful warm apple juice with plum. Just perfect for this autumn-ish weather.

Another little treasure – his honeydew tea – sweetened with the fruit nectar. Velvety. Such a lovely perfume to it that I wished I could spray it on me. Such a different taste!

Special award too for the biocup with a filter so you can enjoy a cup made with loose tea!

My only request: they need a teashop, quiiiiiiick!

This guy is to be followed. He’ll go far.

Inago

Every week-end @ the Greenwich Market
Stockwell St, London, SE10
Mean Shake £2.50

Cup of tea £1.50-£2