34
FOOD
Summer sips and tipples
This is a round-up of all things liquid - from tea to
whiskey, via mead and mocktails - for the warmest
season of the year.
African Aphro
Billed as being 'the Spirit of West
Africa', this exotic drink is tapped
from the tropical date and coconut
palm trees of Ghana. Locally
produced using a time-honoured
tradition, the highly popular
West African drink (also known
as Akpeteshie) is relatively newly
available in the UK in two flavours:
The Nubi with hints of flamed
pineapple, passion fruit and honey
and The Moor with ginger, local
spices and Hwentia pepper. Aphro's
premium palm spirits are carefully
distilled and infused with vibrant
fruits, herbs and spices to give a
unique depth of taste specific to
the region, resulting in a smooth,
modern take on this ancient West
African favourite. Serve over ice or as
mixers. Available in 750ml at £39.99.
www.coastlinespirits.com
Japanese Tea
The art and tradition of the Japanese
Tea Ceremony is based upon four
key principles: Harmony (wa),
Respect (kei), Purity (sei), Tranquility
(jaku). While not everyone knows
or has the time to learn the rules
and principles of the traditional
Japanese Tea Ceremony, everyone
can make a little time to appreciate
and indulge in a perfectly slowbrewed
cup of authentic loose-leaf
tea using Clearspring products. The
company has a the perfect pair of the
highest quality premium loose-leaf
teas: Clearspring Organic Gyokuro
Green Tea and Clearspring Organic
Japanese Matcha Sencha.
Gyokuro tea is considered
one of the most premium teas in
Japan. Clearspring's Gyokuro has
been shade-grown for 20 days,
following which the leaves are
carefully steamed, rolled, and dried
immediately after harvesting. This
helps to lock in the freshness and
aroma, giving the tea its elegant and
umami-rich flavour.
Clearspring Organic Japanese
Matcha Sencha is a harmonious
blend of Japanese Sencha, married
with distinctly rich and exquisite
ceremonial-grade Matcha. Using only
the finest Organic green tea leaves,
it delivers the perfect balance of
flavours, being uplifting and soothing
and perfect for any time of the day.
Both teas are grown in the Kyoto
and Kyushu areas of Japan, known
to grow some of the finest tea in
Japan. They are produced by thirdgeneration
family tea-makers, using
the highest quality green tea leaves
which are organically and sustainably
grown. They are cultivated using an
ancient farming approach known
as Nature Farming, which builds
up soil vitality by maintaining a
semi-wild environment, where the
plants are not overly protected and
gain nourishment from repeated
applications of compost made from
tea clippings and dried leaves. Both
come in 85g, attractive, sustainable
and reusable tea tins.
www.clearspring.co.uk