Green tea latte: green tea mixed with warm milk I'm a huge fan of green tea. I like its lighter taste, as compared to its more bitter and darker counterpart. Also, I enjoy knowing that I'm feasting on antioxidants. My new cold weather favorite? Green tea latte. I can't find this in all the cafes I frequent, but when I do, I like to splurge. There's something comforting about a warm mug and sipping the frothy drink. I especially relish the creaminess of the milk (although, truth be told, … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Pudding in Tea
June 24, 2016 4 Comments
Pudding: topping option for tea I think you're all familiar with bubble tea, which typically consists of milk tea with boba (even giant boba sometimes!). Anyway, it's definitely a nice drink to have for cooling down. Usually I'm good with a plain iced jasmine tea, or I might splurge on tapioca pearls or lychee jellies. Most recently, though, I ventured adding pudding to my drink. It's been a long time since I went down that road, and it was a pleasant surprise. I guess I was expecting an … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Winter melon tea
May 20, 2016 Leave a Comment
Winter melon tea: sweet tea made with winter melon Sometimes it's nice to have a delicious drink. In Taiwan, we were given a homemade brew of winter melon tea. The winter melon is a common gourd with white flesh inside it. It has a long shelf life and can be stored in a cool place, lasting well through the winter months (thus, its name). The vegetable is often eaten during the summer because of its cooling properties. Winter melon is also supposed to detoxify our bodies. The taste of … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Rose Tea
August 7, 2015 5 Comments
Rose tea: green tea flavored with roses I have roses blooming in my yard, but I haven't been a big fan of eating rose-flavored treats. (The blame goes to a rose Turkish Delight I ate. I thought it would be like ambrosia on my tongue, given its prominence in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe... but I was sorely disappointed.) My one exception to this rule is rose tea. It's green tea infused with a hint of the floral. I like the subtlety of the flavor, and the bitterness of the tea … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Fresh Coconut Water
June 26, 2015 6 Comments
Coconut water: the yummy liquid inside a young coconut shell My favorite drink for the summertime? Coconut water. It's actually known for keeping the body cool and regulating temperature. There are benefits to drinking it, like the fact that it's low in sugar. It's also anti-viral and anti-microbial, making it a great elixir to battle against sickness. While growing up, I drank the canned version. There was an Asian grocery store right next to our family restaurant. I loved sneaking over … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday First: Osmanthus Tea
March 20, 2015 4 Comments
I tried out a new drink... Osmanthus tea: an earthy tea infused with the yellow flowers I'm one of those people who order the same thing over and over again at a restaurant. What can I say? Usually when I venture out and order something new, I dislike it. My tried-and-true beverage of choice is jasmine green tea. On a recent trip to the local cafe, though, my hubby urged me to drink something different. I ended up ordering osmanthus tea. Despite its floral origins, osmanthus tea didn't … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Red Bean Smoothie
August 8, 2014 2 Comments
Red bean smoothie: shake with sweet red beans I've tried red bean-inspired desserts before. It goes well with cold sweets, like ice cream and popsicles. Recently, though, I drank a red bean smoothie, and it's my new favorite. The beans are well-blended, and the whole beverage ends up tasting like a milkshake. It's also not too sweet, and the beans provide a dash of protein and fiber, so you can convince yourself it's healthy. What do you drink to cool down in the summer? … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday First: Hong Kong Lemon Tea
July 25, 2014 1 Comment
My first... Hong Kong lemon tea: iced tea with a refreshing lemon flavor Looking for a drink to cool you off this summer? Lemon tea is where it's at. Here's a recipe, complete with cutesy drawings. Very popular in Hong Kong, this drink uses a strong black tea as its base. Think of a dark, bitter brew counterbalanced by sweet sugar (or sometimes honey) and a squeeze of tart lemon. It's iced tea, Asian-style. … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Chè
May 2, 2014 8 Comments
My first... Chè. I've decided to not just write about dishes from cultures I'm associated with--American, Chinese, Malaysian, and Taiwanese--but also to reveal new foods that I'm discovering. Here's my first foray into the unknown. Chè: a Vietnamese dessert; exotic fillings in a milky bath, often served cold This is a refreshing drink, perfect for the heat wave we've been experiencing (I blame you, Santa Ana … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Sea Salt Drinks
December 6, 2013 4 Comments
Sea salt drinks: beverages topped with sea salt, typically using tea or coffee That's right. Salty coffee and tea is all the rage in Taiwan. Introduced by the chefs at 85C Bakery Cafe (85°C is supposed to be the ideal temperature at which to brew coffee), the salty foam on top of the beverage encourages sequential tasting. In fact, it's supposed to appeal to multiple taste buds, providing a fuller drinking experience. The flavors your tongue longs for are: sweet, sour, bitter, salt, … [Read more...]
