This Father’s Day we’re inviting fathers all over the world to treat themselves with the combination of Ahmad Tea and Louis Barnett’s Chokolit.
Louis’ story is a remarkable one. At the age of 11, he was diagnosed with dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, and short term memory loss. Louis was then taken out of mainstream education for home schooling and pursued a vocational education by working at a falconry centre.
He started by making cakes for his family and friends and ultimately began supplying local delicatessens and restaurants. Louis’ interest in chocolate then grew as he discovered new techniques using chocolate to make cake decorations. It was then that his company Louis Barnett Chocolates was set up, which then made Louis the UK’s youngest entrepreneur, aged 12.
Louis was spotted by Callebaut, the world’s largest chocolate supplier. By the age of 15 he became the first to receive ‘official’ sponsorship for all of his training as a chocolatier. Louis continues to attend new courses to maintain his standard as one of the UK’s most qualified chocolatiers.
Now, at 20, Louis is constantly learning about new ways to make chocolate sustainably. There is no palm oil in his chocolates, as harvesting palm oil is a major cause of the destruction of animal habitats and deforestation.
On our Facebook page, let us know how you’ll be treating your dad this Father’s Day and you’ll be entered to win some of Louis’ Chokolit and Ahmad Tea. Happy Father’s Day!
As we announced last week, we’re very excited to be the official non-alcoholic beverage sponsor of a special evening with the cast of Downton Abbey in Hollywood, CA on June 10th.
We’ll be serving both hot and iced teas and sampling some of our most popular blends. In addition, we’re giving away two tickets to the event! Comment on our Facebook page to let us know if you’re interested in attending — we are only providing entrance to the event, not airfare or accommodations.
We will announce the lucky winners later today. In the meantime, we’ve paired our favourite Downton characters with the blends of Ahmad Tea they best embody. Take a look:
Lady Mary Crawley
Lady Mary takes her English traditions very seriously. She works to carry on her family’s legacy and confronts change with trepidation. At the same time, she’s been known to break a few rules and isn’t afraid to challenge old customs when they no longer make sense. Just like our Cardamon Tea, her spiritedness brings bold flavour and enthusiasm to the Downton household — it’s a classic black tea, but with a hint of spice to keep things interesting.
Matthew Crawley
As a new addition, Matthew initially presented a bold vision of the future for Mary and the whole Grantham family. He combined new ideas and varied experiences to Downton Abbey, and much like our newest blend, Raspberry Pomegranate Green Tea, he eventually won them all over. His inventiveness and novelty soon convinced everyone at Downton to open their minds and their hearts to his diverse spin on a classic.
Lady Sybil Crawley
When war strikes her homeland, Lady Sybil doesn’t hesitate to help where she can. Her natural sweetness and healing abilities make her a great nurse, a loving daughter, and a supportive sister. Our Mixed Berries & Hibiscus Blend possesses many of the same qualities — an instant revitalization of body and mind, and a consistent pleasure. Sybil’s character is a constant force for good at Downton, and amoung of family of herbal blends, this tea is as well.
Lady Edith Crawley
Edith’s challenges are very different from her sisters’. She’s not the leader that Mary is, nor is she as adventurous as Sybil. Yet, Edith is asked to contend with the changing times at the same pace as her other family members, and her approach to that change is exciting. Like our Apple Refresh Black Tea, she is still tied to her traditions while balancing an unexpected flare that, while decidedly English, is unexpectedly novel. It’s clear Edith will remain grounded, but she might level the playing field at the same time — clearing the way for new opportunities and unforeseen frontiers.
Dowager Countess of Grantham
Violet is the clear matriarch and force to be reckoned with at Downton. She safeguards her family’s legacy and doles out scorn and wisdom in equal parts. While she might not like swivel chairs or understand the need for a weekend, the advice she gives her granddaughters is timeless and true. Like our English Tea No. 1, she understands the significance of history and carefully balances her heritage against unstoppable change and transition.
We are pleased to announce that on June 10th, Ahmad Tea will be coming together with the cast of Downton Abbey to drink tea. This special season premiere party is the perfect opportunity for us to pair with this iconic English show, and we’re delighted to be the official tea sponsor of the event.
We will be serving our English Tea No. 1 and Earl Grey as well as iced versions of Blackcurrant Burst and Peach and Passionfrut black teas, to compliment the California weather. We will be handing out samples to guests and special gift bags for each member of the cast.
We couldn’t be more excited to serve our tea at an event that honours British culture so well, and we hope to share it with some of our fans. If there are any Ahmad Tea and Downton Abbey fans in the Southern California area, we will soon offer a chance to win a seat at our reserved table.
Things are definitely heating up, so we’re here to supply you with some cool down strategies. It can be such pleasure to experiment with tea through the seasons — the same blend that you snuggle up with in the dead of winter can take on a whole new life in the summer heat. We hope you enjoy these iced tea ideas from around the web.
Cardamon
First up is a recipe inspired by the fan-submitted photo of this sure to be delicious Cardamon Iced Tea. Brew our Cardamon Tea for an added spice, let cool, and decorate it with fresh lemons or other tasty fruits. Image credit to @AhmadTea Instagram follower @xpaparukhonox.
Hibiscus Mint
For another refreshing twist on a cooling beverage, try combining our Rosehip, Cherry & Hibiscus blend alongside a few tea bags of our Peppermint & Lemon blend. Garnish with some fresh mint leaves and enjoy!
Earl Grey Lavender
Sophie Dahl, the lovely and talented granddaughter of Roald Dahl and an author in her own right, enjoys blending iced Earl Grey tea with a hint of lavender. The perfect taste of summer! Check out her recipe.
Jasmine Green Tea Lemonade
For a sweeter, tarter taste try this inventive summer drink which uses Jasmine Green Tea in combination with lemon juice. If you’re feeling particularly experimental, you could try it with any of our green teas — adding some tanginess to their subtle flavours. The recipe.
Ahmad Tea Ice Tea
Then, there’s the ready-made version — your favourite Ahmad Tea blends in a convenient and refreshing package. Are you as ready for summer as we are? Let us know how you’re cooling down this summer and share your photos on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
This week is a celebration of children’s literacy and the authors who have created deeply moving and meaningful stories for young audiences. Books from childhood stay with us forever: the ones that are read to us, the ones we read ourselves. In those pages are insights into the adventure and difficulty of growing up, clues to understanding the tension between immense, youthful freedom and a complete dependence on the adults around us.
In many classic books for children, tea parties serve as a key plot point — crucial relationships are established, thoughtful conversations are had, and delightful treats are consumed. Here, we’ve collected a few of our favourite tea scenes from children’s literature.
Tea with Mr. Tumnus
Lucy’s foray into the wild world of Narnia in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe begins with her meeting Mr. Tumnus, the friendly fawn. His kindness and the promise of a warm cup of tea lead her back to his home, where he regails her with stories of his life in the forest and plays his flute. Although he does not begin with the best of intentions, Mr. Tumnus becomes an important friend to Lucy and her siblings and is a main catalyst for their adventures through the wardrobe.
Before Setting Sail
In Arthur Ransome’s classic Swallows and Amazons, the Walker children set sail in a dinghy during their school holidays and discover intrigue and excitement in the islands of the English Lake District. But, at the outset of the novel, before the adventure begins, four of the Walker siblings are in the midst of a picnic — tea kettle boiling on the fire — waiting for their father’s permission to take the boat out. This scene sets the stage for the rest of their holiday and the entire series, which takes the children sailing around England and Scotland.
Benny’s Cracked Pink Cup
The Box-Car Children is another tale of a beloved bunch of siblings, orphans struggling to stay and thrive together. The youngest, Benny, is known for his love of all food and the cracked pink tea cup he found in the dump. The cup plays an important role, and shows up in every book in the series — he despairs in it’s absence and is always overjoyed when it is found again.
The Mad Tea Party
Of course, perhaps the most famous of all scenes in both children’s literature and tea settings is Alice’s chance meeting with the Mad Hatter and his tea-drinking friends in Lewis Carrol’s Alice in Wonderland. The Hatter and his friends, the March Hare and the sleepy Dormouse ask Alice numerous riddles, ultimately prompting her to call the event “the stupidest tea party” she’s ever attended. Alice goes on her way, heading next to the queen’s croquet match.
Did we forget any important tea scenes from your favourite children’s literature? Let us know here or on Facebook and Twitter. Happy Children’s Book Week!
This week we had the honour of sponsoring the Great British Baby Shower at the British Consulate in New York City, a charity event hosted by St. George’s Society of New York and dedicated to the imminent arrival of a royal baby!
St. George’s is an organization dedicated to improving the lives of people of Commonwealth descent, and over the years St. George’s has helped thousands of needy persons in the New York area. Its core mission today is to provide charity with compassion and dignity to the less fortunate.
At the event, guests were asked to donate diapers and baby wipes to be given to Baby Buggy, an organization that gives baby gear and clothing to families in need. Ahmad Tea was served as part of the tea service, and our gift baskets were available as part of the silent auction — proceeds of which went to St. George’s Society.
We even got to sign a card to Will and Kate, wishing them all the joy in the world for their family and its new addition. The card will be presented to Prince William when he visits New York later this month.
We couldn’t have been happier to donate to such a worthy cause and join in the celebration. Many thanks to St. George’s for hosting such a fitting tribute to Mother’s Day and an elegant, enjoyable afternoon for all in attendance.
So many beautiful images have been popping up on Instagram lately, and all by our lovely fans who are tagging their #ahmadtea moments. Here are a few of our favourites:
Follow us @AhmadTea on Instagram, and share your #ahmadtea photos so we can feature you here!
It’s no wonder that all over the world, we celebrate mothers in so many ways. Did you know that when you were an infant, she could slow your heartrate just by holding you? Sometimes it feels like mothers and tea are inextricably linked. They are both tied to memories of countless cups she served and endless conversations over a pot or two — mothers and tea kettles continually emanate love and warmth. Next week, it’s Mother’s Day in North America (although any day is a fine day to celebrate your mum). So, if you’re looking for a gift to show your love, here are few ideas.
Handwritten Notes
“The feeling of sitting down to write a note (with pen and paper!), choosing the stamp, and sending it off into the mail, brings a kind of thoughtfulness and care to our fast-paced lives,” says Nicely Noted founder Perry Nelson. The company is a subscription service for stationary snobs, and every month you can look forward to receiving three high quality letterpress cards and three beautiful stamps to make it that much easier for you to get those notes in the mail. You can send the first one to commemorate Mother’s Day, and send the others anytime you want to tell your mum how much she means to you. Peruse all the collections here.
Local Honey
Most of the honey that’s sold in stores has been heated and pasteurized, which depletes this lovely sweetener of the enzymes and compounds that make it so nutritious. Taking the time to seek out local, organic, and ethically harvested honey is a great way to show your mum how much you care about her health and happiness. Check out your local markets stores to see what your city has to offer.
Vintage Tea Cups
If you’re looking to send a unique and sentimental message, source some rare vintage tea cups from Etsy. You’ll find one-of-a-kind treasures that dress up her tea table, and she can bring them out whenever you enjoy a cup together. These are a few of ourfavourites.
Madeleine Baking Pan
These light, airy treats are a great companion to any cup of tea and by giving your mum the pan, you can enjoy them endlessly. You can whip up the first batch for her, bake them together, or just tie a bow on the pan. Find the pan here, and a recipe here.
Herbalist Tea Selection
Of course, you’ll need to bring her some tea, too. Our Herbalist Selection Pack offers the perfect assortment of our delicious herbal infusions. The gift includes six of our customer favorites, 10 foil enveloped tea bags each, from the following teas: Mixed Citrus, Rosehip & Cherry, Roobios & Cinnamon, Camomile & Lemongrass, Mixed Berry and Peppermint & Lemon. See where you can find it for your mum.
We take great care when it comes to the look of our tea. From the packaging of each bag to the entire box or tin, we aim to give all our fans a real experience, enhanced by the art and images in which their tea is encased. For this reason, we love when Ahmad Tea drinkers share photos of the place tea holds in their homes, on their tables, and in their lives. And, we love to see Ahmad Tea in other places too: most recently in British comedian Victoria Wood’s new documentary, “A Nice Cup of Tea.”
In the segment, Victoria enjoys some tea in New York’s famous Tea & Sympathy, a stateside shrine to all things British. And there in the background, some Ahmad Tea! Take a look:
And later, Victoria sits down to enjoy a cup with former Smith’s frontman and eternal rock star, Morrissey. An avid tea drinker, Morrissey claims he needs his tea as soon as he wakes up, and even carries around his favorite tea pot while he’s on tour.
But what about you? Where does your Ahmad Tea live? Do you take it with you when you travel? Do you have a special tea pot? Share your stories and images with us here on the blog or Facebook and Twitter.
At Ahmad Tea, we’re always thinking about our impact on the planet. After all, tea is a plant that’s lovingly cultivated, harvested, and then enjoyed all over the world. Most importantly, it is the slow moments of enjoying a cup of your favourite blend — the perfect china, the natural aromas, the environment of the experience — that enable us to recognize the gifts we’ve been given and work we should do to preserve them.
So, in the spirit of all that is good and green, here are a few surprisingly simple ways to make even the smallest routines a little more earth-friendly.
1. Plant an herb garden
Since you’re already an avid tea drinker, you know the importance of subtle flavours and delightful aromas. Herbs play an important role in enlightening our palettes, and planting a small garden of your go-to greens will make it easier for you to incorporate the herbs you love in your daily dishes.
2. Use a reusable water bottle
Staying hydrated is one of the best things you can do for your mind and body, but plastic bottles are bad for the environment in so many ways (watch The Story of Bottled Water to learn more). Invest in a cute reusable water bottle and enjoy it in addition to many many cups of tea.
3. Use cloth instead of paper in your kitchen
Preserve more trees by using paper less often and using cloth towels when you can. If you’re in need of some inspiring options, check out our recent post on lovely printed tea towels. You can spruce up your kitchen and spare a few trees in the process.
Have a great weekend! Get outside and relax with a cup of tea in the garden if you can.
Follow Us: