Archive for 'In Store'

Red Dates: A Chinese Superfood

Goji berries. Chia seeds. Acai berries. Quinoa. We know how obsessed Melbourne is with ‘superfoods’. But have you tried our Chinese superfood, red dates? Also known as hong zao in Chinese, this native southeast Asian is used in rice porridge, soup, desserts, buns and in some of our teas.

Red dates are extremely rich in nutrients. They are up to 80 times hght in Vitamin C than apples and chockfull of Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron and magnesium. Red dates are said to improve immunity by stimulating the production of white blood cells, as well as being good for the liver by decreasing cholesterol. There is even research to suggest they suppress cancer cells.

In Chinese herbal medicine, red dates are believed to build up the warm half of the yin-yang balance in the body, strengthening the spleen and stomach, nourishing blood and relaxing the mind. Red dates are also marketed as an anti-aging food for women in Chinese medicine.

Aside from all the benefits, we love the way red dates taste! Especially when they’ve soaked up tea. Next time you order one of our teas with red dates in it, don’t let them go to waste.

Some of our favourite teas featuring red dates include:

- Happy tea 

- Relaxing tea

- Ginger and Barley tea 

Cool down with Oriental Teahouse’s Iced Tea

Summer = iced tea and cocktails

It’s hot outside. Damn hot. It’s all a bit conflicting for us, seeing as we serve tea and all. No one wants a steaming pot of Gunpowder Green when it’s 42 degrees outside, or a warming Iron Buddha to sooth the soul and make ‘em sweat.

Thankfully, Oriental Teahouse knows how to keep it cool: with our iced teas. Choose from the sweet treat of Strawberry and Cream, our zesty Raspberry Lime, Lemon Iced with a tang, the spicy but nicey Iced Chai, the delicate Iced Relaxing with a hint of liquorice and peppermint, the dreamy Vanilla Cream, or our liquid dessert, Peach Melba.

If you’re the kind of person who loses their appetite in the heat, we’ve got you covered with a mixed basket of dumplings, perfect for nibbles. Try the Variety Basket with a collection of dumplings, including chicken, roast duck, pork shu mai and buckwheat veggie. It will hit the spot without making you feel full and bloated.

And one more tip, if you need a little bit of extra help relaxing on a hot day, get into our PotTails! Cocktails in a teapot? Damn straight. Get your summer on with our Tropicana, a fruity combination of Vodka, Malibu, Banana Liqueur, Strawberry Liqueur, Pineapple Juice & Cranberry Juice.

How to make teacup candles in 3 simple steps

There’s a fine line between a lovely gift and a thoughtful gift. A lovely gift is one that is appreciated when it’s received, but a thoughtful gift is one with that little bit of extra effort thrown into the mix. While our classic blue and white porcelain teacups make beautiful gifts, we want to share with you a way to make them even more special: homemade teacup candles. Just follow the instructions below!

You will need:

• A teacup
• Used candles
• Tongs
• A Pencil or chopstick
• A nested pot (or a stainless steel bowl over a deep pan)
• Wicks (or string)

Step 1. Melt the old candles in your nested pot over a medium light. If you don’t have a nested pot, rest a stainless steel bowl in a deep pan of boiling water and melt the candles in it. Stir as appropriate, removing the old wicks with a fork or tongs.

Step 2. You can use new wicks or make your own. Take a long piece of string, fold it over repeatedly, twist it tightly and then dip it in the melted wax. Smooth the wax over the string with your fingers, then repeat this final step a few more times.

Step 3. Pour wax into the teacup until it is a quarter full. Allow it to set for five minutes. Stick the wick to the wax with a blob of melted wax. Allow it to dry, and then carefully tie the top of the wick to a pencil resting across the diameter of the cup. Make sure your wick is straight and taught, then pour in the melted wax and allow it to harden overnight.

Note: If you want to go that extra mile, stir in food colouring and/or scent to the melted wax!

Working at Oriental Teahouse

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” ~ Chinese Proverb

Here we bid Rachel our Chapel St Retail tea guru GOOD LUCK and farewell. Our professionally trained and accredited singer from the UK is heading back home to endeavour into the next chapter in life.  The Oriental Teahouse family wishes you the best of luck and we will miss your cheery smile, and warmth. We’re sure you have also touched the lives of many Oriental Teahouse customers, as you have ours with your gentle grace.