Week beginning March 26th - Rare Tea Company

We really are very happy, and so, it appears, are our tea drinking customers. We recently changed from a very good tea supplier, to one that we felt matched the Kaffeine profile and was able to provide that little bit better product that we are always searching for.

It took some time, our lead barista James researched six different tea companies, all loose leaf suppliers, and we contacted them via email with a view to them providing us with their tea. Some replied immediately, others took some time.

We had a few conditions. Obviously, it must be good, but also, it must match with what we are doing with service and be able to be served as a take away drink, so it needs to be able to go in a tea bag.

We had tastings and samples with several of the companies on the short list and it was a close call between two of them.

In the end we went with the Rare Tea company, with the lovely Henrietta Lovell in charge. Henrietta also knows some of our customers, they did some of her branding and videos, and in her words, she would be honored to supply Kaffeine.

http://www.rareteacompany.com/news-and-reviews/videos/

But still it was down to taste, as well as the packaging, the ethos and passion and the service provided.

We have been using it for three weeks now. Henrietta has recommended special teapots for our use and also special tea bags for the takeaway component.

James has learnt a lot about tea in the lead up and the process of selection and he held a tasting for all staff one evening, showcasing all the new teas on offer, how they should be brewed and how they should be served.

We serve our 'in' teas in the tea pots and work to a specific time for brewing. As we serve it to the guest, we explain that it is a 1 pot serve, but you are welcome to have a fresh pot once done, so that we do not over extract the tea by it sitting in water too long.

We also tell them that the second cup will be even better than the first. Our guests really appreciate it, this little extra time to explain a great product and how to get the best out of it.

And, it tastes amazing, seriously, it is very, very good tea.

In this industry, people have been saying for a long, long time that tea is starting, or needs, to make a resurgence,and we believe that the Rare Tea Company is one of those that is finally and really leading the charge.

Ask us about it, we love it.



Breakfast
Porridge - served w choices chopped dried fruit, muscovado sugar, golden syrup or honey 2.70
Traditional bircher muesli with rhubarb and raspberry compote 3.30
Granola muesli with pomegranate molasses and rhubarb and raspberry compote 3.30
Fruit salad (pineapple, mango, strawberries, grapes, passionfruit, peach) 3.50
(add 30 p for granola or yoghurt)
Ciabatta Roll with omelette, pancetta, rocket and tomato salsa 4.70
Ciabatta Roll with courgette omelette, rocket and tomato salsa 4.70
Croissant with Italian roast ham, talleggio cheese, spinach & plum tomatoes 4.70
Croissant with gruyere cheese and plum tomatoes 3.90
Seven seed bakery bloomer toast with homemade preserves 1.70
Cinnamon and raisin toast 2.30
Banana Bread 2.20


Pastries by Seven Seed bakery
French butter croissants 1.70
Pain au chocolat 2.30
Almond croissants 2.70

Baked Treats
Bramley and Calvados muffins 2.00
Tomato and mozzerella savoury muffins 2.00
Lime friands 2.00
Super moist chocolate brownies 2.30
White chocolate blondies 2.30
Portuguese tarts 1.90
ANZAC cookies 1.70
Afgan biscuits 1.70

Lunch

Soup 3.70 or 4.20
Watercress and salmon

French retro baguettes 4.70
Roast ham with gherkin, guyere, apple butter and spinach
Pears with onion jam, brie and rocket

Foccacias with sea salt and rosemary crust 4.90
Smoked salmon with aioli, red onions, capers, rocket and dill
Tomato, roast courgette, peppers, mozzarella, oregano mayo and spinach

Salads 4.90/5.90
Poached chicken, pickled melon rind, walnut and olive dumplings and feta
Roast beetroot with horseradish, orange soured cream and rocket
Edamame in a hot and sour dressing

Tart 4.00 or 6.90 with salad
Corn bread with slow roast tomato and caper sauce