I’m a self-confessed obsessive over Asian culture -specifically that of Japan, South Korea and China. The colourful, vibrant hub of modernity has brought to the UK a million popular innovations, influences and ideas. And what is ever growing is the taste for Asian food.

So what do you do when, like me, you grow bored of the same supermarket sushi and green tea? Wander to Chinatown, of course.

And so it came to be that I found myself in the bubblegum pink bar, Cuppacha, in Leicester Square. Whilst Bubble tea is nothing new – it was invented in Taiwan in the 80’s, and has been lurking in the UK ever since – it’s certainly on the rise.

So what is it? Bubble tea is basically a flavoured tea-and-milk fusion (pretty much any known flavour can be made), with added ‘bubbles’ of tapioca jelly pearls. Don’t make that face – trust me, it’s great.

I could spend forever talking about the different combinations you can make but to order, you pick the size and type of drink, whether it’s hot or cold (normally it’s drunk cold, which I chose), the flavour, and the type of boba (bubbles).

My choice was the roasted oolong mousse tea with the classic tapioca pearls. There are a host of other flavours but I’d heard this was the best. And it definitely was a winner! The drink was presented as a sweetened black oolong with a whipped, milky mousse on top flavoured with matcha (sweet green tea powder). And whilst you swirl the mousse, the boba scramble around the bottom.

I was in love at first slurp. The fluffy mousse melted delicately into the earthy oolong - not quite a milkshake, not quite an iced tea. But it was the bubbles that made it. They rattle effortlessly up the straw as you sip.

I’ve heard of pearls being too gooey or too hard, but these seemed perfect. Like al-dente pasta, they had a little bite, and weren’t too overwhelming. Ever so slightly herby-sweet.

I really don’t know why I’ve waited so long to try this!

Posted by Gina

A few weeks ago I joined the Mile High Club.  By this I mean I joined the group of people who have experienced the air-travel Dine Mile High.

Inspired by “the golden-age of air travel” the pop-up restaurant offers all the fun and glamour of international air-travel with none of the security checks and delays –it doesn’t even matter if you forget your passport.

“Destination Beirut” was the theme of the evening held in a vacated shop on Lower Regent’s Street.  We were greeted by an air stewardess on the door and handed our boarding passes before being ushered through to the 1950s style airport lounge.  As we waited at the bar for our negronis, an apparently inebriated twenty-something American tried to strike up conversation as he slumped over the bar – we later discovered this would be our pilot for the evening.

After a couple of lethal cocktails, and various Lebanese influenced canapés handed to us by more air stewardesses, the theatre of the evening got into full swing with an introduction to our cabin crew. The afore-mentioned pilot, who had miraculously sobered up and become a smiling and charming host, guided guests into the cabin wishing them a pleasant flight as he flirted outrageously with his stewardess colleagues. 

The “cabin” was set up with long wooden tables where guests sat amongst strangers creating a relaxed, communal atmosphere.  A salad of smoked labneh, sour cherries, broad beans, and asparagus whet our appetite as we got to know our neighbours.  This was followed by a second starter of grilled squid, green peak and salsify with braised celery, lemon and chilli – this was slightly more substantial (particularly as I ate my friend’s as well) and full of flavour and left us still wanting more.   And we weren’t disappointed, the main course was pure heaven – roasted lamb belly, fondant potato, garlic and za’tar puree with a tomato and almond salad.  The lamb belly was cooked to perfection and melted in the mouth whilst the combination of garlic potato and Middle Eastern spices was a party on the palate.

And it wasn’t just on the palate that the party was taking place, the wines were flowing, the music was playing, the conversation was raucous and our pilot insisted on engaging us in dialogue about his various Mile High dalliances (and this time I mean the sordid kind).  When pudding came out we toasted the chef – Oliver Templeton, genius - who had created such a stunning menu. Rose and pomegranate jelly, cardamom custard and biscuit was the perfect finish as we prepared for landing at Beirut International. 

I was almost surprised, and definitely disappointed, to step out into the London night after several post-dinner cocktails in the bar. I vowed I’d be on the next flight next month – Destination Sicily.

http://www.dinemilehigh.com

Posted by Claire

The aim? To raise awareness of delicious German wines and highlight their versatility with food. Prolific food blogger and author of ‘Scandilicious’, Signe Johansen has developed four bespoke Scandinavian recipes which pair perfectly with German wines and the official Phipps chef, Joe Wadsack, has been cooking up a storm in the kitchen with Nicky Forrest putting her photography skills to the test.

The result? See for yourself…!

Scandinavian almond torte with strawberries and vanilla acacia honey

Smoked venison salad with pearled spelt, beetroot, mushrooms and pomegranate

Wild Dill Pollen & Citrus Cured Salmon

North Sea sweet prawns with Riesling pickled cucumber, avocado and salmon roe

Posted by Dalany

Back in the ‘good old days’ day – when you could rely on summer being hot and winter being cold – Jersey Royals signalled the arrival of spring.  This year however, March and April brought gale force winds, never ending rainfall and inch-upon-inch of snow. The weather really has been relentless and we’ve been having a good ‘weather moan’ on a daily basis, but the impact it’s had on fresh produce has been devastating. Jersey Royal farmers and producers have worked around the clock covering and warming up their crop to try and ensure the spuds make it onto menus this spring. Until the warmer weather came it was a waiting game for dozens of farmers and their families who faced the possibility of having some, or even all, of their crop wiped out this year.

Earlier this week I visited the tiny 9x5 mile Island, where farmers were breathing a huge sigh of relief. The wait was finally over. The sun was shining down and workers were tirelessly harvesting the côtils (steeping slopes) and fields by hand to start shipping potatoes to the mainland. The potatoes looked full and healthy – and tasted absolutely wonderful with a bit of salt and butter!

Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll begin seeing more and more potatoes in the supermarkets, which go from field to fork in around 24 hours for the freshest taste. Plus they’ll even still be available into July, which is quite unusual, as a late start means a late finish to the season.

Demand for the potatoes is great this year and supermarkets are likely to sell out fast in the first few days as the public snap them up, but over the next couple of weeks harvesting will hit full flow and there’ll be Jersey Royals around every supermarket aisle!

Posted by Caroline Addy 

Week's Best Tweeter

@Sweden — every week is a different Swede tweeting on behalf of the country. It’s such a great idea and often really interesting!

Blog

OMG this is so cool, I need to take a photo— Hipsters photographing food. We’ve all done it right? Click here

App 

XE — the daddy of currency converter apps, XE lets you check out how much money will convert to in every currency in the world—and it’s free

Video 

In case you are heartbroken and the thought of never seeing J.B., Marvin, Aston and Ortisé sing live again, this is the original audition of JLS for X-Factor. Click here.

No.1 iTunes Chart UK

‘Get Lucky’ [Feat. Pharrell Williams] Daft Punk

Radio

‘Constant cravings: does food addiction exist?’ - an investigation into whether obesity could be partly the result of an addition to eating, and asks just how radical our solutions should be. BBCR4, 8pm, Tues 30th April

Book

This week books were celebrated via ‘World Book Night’. Emerald Street recommend these reads so get your bookmarks at the ready! Click here.

Food/Drink

Gino d’Acampo’s new cookbook comes with 3 CDS to sing along to. It even features Britney Spears ‘Toxic’ - really Gino?!

Local to Phipps HQ, Christopher’s reopens at the beginning of May

Cleo Rocos has brought out a new book called ‘The Power of positive drinking’. It includes advice on how to throw the perfect cocktail party and how to prevent wine stains in carpets—just lovely Cleo

Brangelina wine fans don’t panic—Brad and Ange have announced that another vintage will go on sale next year. This year’s wines sold out in 9 hours!

Casserole Club is an idea to help people share extra portions of home cooked food with others in their area who might not always be able to cook for themselves. Click here for more info.

Events

Whiskey Theatre— a two hour experience that takes you on a journey through the history of whiskey via your senses. For more info click here.

Night Museums—back on Thurs May 16th—May 18, giving you an opportunity to see some of the capital’s biggest museums after-hours and in some cases, by candle light. Keep an eye out for more info soon.

Blimey, coffee is everywhere isn’t it? This week has been National Coffee Week and this weekend is the last two days of the London Coffee Festival. Yes, a festival dedicated to coffee.

In the UK  tea has long been the front runner in the hot drink arena, but this is arguably no longer the case. A recent survey by Ocado found that the average Brit spends more than £3,000 annually on coffee. A sizeable sum considering the current economic climate.

Whether you go for an instant, a coffee machine sachet or a double-shot, caramel syrup  latte, there is no doubt that coffee is at the forefront of our culture. There is even, a website called 'coffitivity' that offers the noise, hustle and bustle of a coffee shop whilst at the comfort of your own desk.  Coffee is everywhere. Even KFC is getting in on the action by offering a coffee promotion in their takeout restaurants.

In 1971, when Starbucks first opened its doors in Seattle’s Pike Place market and with it, unleashed coffee shop culture to the world, it was a turning point. Now 40 years later, coffee is no longer just a drink but a way to socialise, a wake me up, fuel, a drink over which to do business, romantic lingo, a thirst quencher, a friend maker and a sobering tool. It is firmly planted in our social consciousness as a staple of man’s needs.

For me, nothing can beat a hot, steaming cup of milky filter coffee on a winter morning or a bottomless cup in an American diner to wash down a stack of pancakes. I love a chin wag and the way that coffee is the perfect excuse. It also reminds me strongly of family and phrases such as – ‘while you’re up dear’ from my Grandpa, inputting his coffee order. Or, ‘flick the kettle on Ames’ as soon as I get to my mum’s house. Coffee is definitely an integral part of my family life.

What is coffee to you? If you’re a coffee lover perhaps take a visit to the London Coffee Festival and if you do happen to visit a coffee shop, why not make it one that is participating in 'suspended coffees' - a scheme which asks you to purchase a coffee for yourself and one to leave behind for someone else. Now that’s a great excuse to drink coffee if ever there was one. 

 Week's Best

Tweeter

For regular pictures of places, people, animals and nature just like the one here, follow @EarthPix

Website

 Oh the joy of 1st world problems...click here

Film

‘Evil Dead’ is a remake of an ‘80s cult classic. It’s gory, set in a cabin in woods and sure to make you jump. Also, if you make it to the end there is a post credits surprise! (now showing nationwide)

Video

The miracle of the lost sheep. Did you ever think you could feel emotional about sheep?! click here

No.1 iTunes Chart UK Single

Waiting all night (feat. Ella Eyre) - Rudimental

Sport

Snooker: World Championship—coverage on Sat and Sun, BBC1 and BBC2

London Marathon— coverage from 8.30am—2pm Sun with highlights 6-7pm BBC2

Radio

Feeling Good: The Nina Simone Story—Thurs 25th Apr, BBC R2, 10-11pm

BBC iPlayer

The Village is the story of 20th century England played out through a Derbyshire family. The first 3 episodes are on BBC iPlayer until the beginning of May, with the newest episode on Sunday’s BBC1 9pm

Food/Drink

• 'Tongue Spankingly Good' Research has revealed widespread bewilderment at the terms used by producers, retailers and critics to convey the qualities of wines. The terms include ‘haunting’, ‘old bones’ and ‘leathery’.
• Gregg Wallace revealed that when he cooks he plays 'music by dead people'. Elvis, Sinatra, Whitney - you name it, Gregg cooks to it.
• One glass of merlin please - a YouGov survey of 2,184 adults for online retailer WineTrust100 produced the results that one in seven Brits bluff when it comes to their wine knowledge!
• In season - Crab, Jersey Royals, Rocket!
• St George's Day - is this Tues 23rd Apr so why not rustle up a delicious sausage and mash dinner to be in keeping with the celebrations. Click here

Events

Pick Me Up is an annual graphic arts festival currently on at Somerset House. Go check out some of the creativity! Click here for more info

London Marathon—It's happening on Sunday so don't miss it - more than 35,000 runners are due to take part!

London Coffee Festival—head to Brick Lane on 25th—28th Apr for everything coffee inspired. Click here for more info on tickets and what’s on

Yesterday afternoon, Lowri and I headed over to Moët Hennessy HQ to meet Veuve Clicquot winemaker Cyril Brun and taste a selection of the range.

 Last night the second episode of Victoria Wood’s Nice Cup of Tea aired on BBC1, looking into the little plant that changed the world, or in her words, ‘the story of two leaves and a bud.’ This two parter took a closer look into our national obsession with tea and how it came to be the most popular drink in the world after water, with Brits putting away over 60 billion cups a year.

The most interesting part of the programme was the closer look into the history of this much sought after plant, and how it changed Britain. The focus was on the two oldest and most traditional tea nations, India and China, the latter being the origination of tea around 5,000 years ago, derived from just three original tea bushes ‘the mother trees.’ 

Moving on from the history, there’s some rather less interesting interviews with celebrities about what tea means to them, and a look into the role of tea in the wartime effort, before bringing it back to the modern day and the possible need for a ‘rebrand.’ Apparently there’s a real need to make tea appeal to young people today as it’s joys have been diminished by designer coffees, energy drinks and lack of time to sit down and enjoy a brew. 

While this programme was a really interesting insight into the history of tea and the challenges facing tea drinking today, it does skim over some important factors such as the introduction and popularity of herbal, fruit and iced tea varieties, as well as the fact that tea drinking still retains a great sense of national identity and community, whether that’s within an office environment or with friends.

The programme also overlooked some of the most significant tea producing countries in the world, notably Kenya and other African nations. Kenya is the third largest producer of tea in the world and exports the bulk of its tea, with the UK as one of the major recipients. In fact, Kenyan tea makes up more than 50% of our most popular blended teas like PG Tips or Typhoo, making its exclusion from this closer look at tea in Britain a disappointing omission.   

Posted by Gemma Hood