Drinkers Trivia!

What is the one alcoholic beverage, that contains a minimum of TWO person’s names in it, and can even go on to encompass FOUR names?

photo credit - jan-peter

GIVE UP?

It’s called, the John Daly! (And I had this in the States, on my last work trip)

Now, an Arnold Palmer is a beverage consisting of ½ iced tea and ½ lemonade, named for Arnold Palmer. It is often called a half and half.

A John Daly is an alcoholic mixed drink named after pro-golfer John Daly. It contains Arnold Palmer and adds vodka. Now, then a John Daly is an alcoholic mixed drink consisting of lemonade, iced tea and vodka, or, alternatively, lemonade and sweet tea vodka which is also called a “Donovan“.

The Donovan was named after a shipping magnate Andrew Donovan.  These drinks are based on the non-alcoholic Arnold Palmer, consisting of iced tea and lemonade. Both drinks are named after professional golfers; the John Daly name is a tongue-in-cheek nod to Daly’s problems with alcohol abuse! A popular variation to the John Daly adds a splash of orange juice into the drink.

A stronger variation called the Happy Gilmore uses Everclear!

Wow.. complicated but true. I guess here in Asia, we just call it, ice lemon tea (with or without sugar) vodka! In KL, it’s hard to get the grain alcohol Everclear which is just as well. Due to its high alcohol content (95%), Everclear is illegal, unavailable, or near impossible to find in certain parts of the world.

Just the other week, I was telling Cumi that it had been ages since we last went for high-tea. Right on cue, the blackberry beeped and it was Evelyn from the Sheraton Imperial, inviting us to tea.. which was awesome. The girl can read minds. The added bonus was that it would be high tea with TWG Tea.

Wow.. TWG Tea. A quick google search confirmed that this was the high end leaves we were talking about. So since yours truly is only used to drinking the cheap stuff, this would be one of the rare and treasured occasions of inductions into tea snobbery. Be sure that this is a pretty important journey. A cardinal rule I learnt is that , in tea, serious tea connoisseurs don’t mind throwing copious amounts of cash away for tea. Oh yes, pay a lot of money for the good stuff. You won’t be disappointed.

So what did we learn en route tea snobbery? Well, TWG Tea was first established in Singapore and it stands for The Wellness Group – a luxury concept that incorporates an international distribution network to professionals, unique and original retail outlets and exquisite tea rooms. From the start of the presentation, right to the end it was evident that TWG Tea is passionate about sharing their expertise and has become a point of reference for tea lovers all over the world.

Every year, TWG Tea tasters sample hundreds of teas from around the world, in search of the most desirable harvests direct from source gardens. Offering over 800 single estate teas and exclusive blends, as well as tea patisseries and other tea infused delicacies, TWG Tea is internationally recognized as an inventor of cool and snazzy tea blends – new varieties of tea come from their estates every year.

Tea Chocolates
TWG Tea launched the first tea-infused chocolate counter in the world, dedicated entirely to chocolate bonbons and chocolate bars infused with fine harvest teas and blends, all developed to measure by their own maître chocolatier. TWG Tea chocolates are entirely handmade using natural ingredients, the intensity of flavour inherent in each tea. This tea I would say, would be prefect for the chocolate snob. Someone who loves her chocolates and loves tea as well. Well, search no more – presenting Chocolate tea!

Tea Patisseries
TWG Tea is also at the forefront of conception of tea-infused patisseries. Each TWG Tea patisserie is crafted by the executive patisserie chef and his team. These teas are supposed to bring you back in time, to the tea table and nostalgia of moments past. At the tasting session we were told to try and appreciate the tea route through a myriad of taste sensations and into the teacup! Wow.. so deep. I think I managed to get into it.. somewhere towards the end. Then I had to snap back to reality, but yes.. it was a rather cool experience;)

Photos of the Event:

Care to share a scone?

What are scones without clotted cream?

and what are scones and clotted cream.. without TWG tea!

Chocolate cake

macaron

strawberry tarts

 cupcakes

finger fruits

 the delectable spread!

We listen intently to Ms Louise Benzrihem, PR Manager and Brand Ambassador of TWG Teas

 Ms Louise Benzrihem, PR Manager and Brand Ambassador of TWG Teas – on the path towards tea enlightenment!

 Fancy some TWG Tea?

 Tea for two.. and two for tea.. picture you upon my knee…

 Chef… spreads some chocolate Christmas cheer

 We try our hand at making Christmas Trees out of chocolate

Some fascinating sculptures by our group.. isn’t this a fine looking tree?

The daredevil Christmas Santa.. coming your way this Christmas!

 Finally, for all our hard work – it’s tea time!

That concludes our terrific hands on session at chocolate Christmas Tree making and induction into TWG Tea!

Pudu is one of my favourite wastes of time. Some people find it dodgy and a little too working class but I love it. Where else can you find cheap food, cheap and good massages, cheap Ahpro bibs and bobs for your car, cheap dodgy gold watches, cheap camera accessories etc etc, all within walking distance of each other. There’s also a fabulously stinky, wet and crowded market that has been around for yonks, the Pudu Market, which has everything you need from freshly butchered carcasses to slippery, glistening fish.

Walking around this area, though fun, can be pretty hard work in the heat. Well, for me anyway. Here are three great ways to cool down, via two iconic stalls in the Pudu area, that one should not miss. Presenting my favourite ways to cool down, in Pudu!

1. The Soya Bean Man

Located on Jalan Pasar, the soya bean man is quick to notice your distress in the noon day heat. Would you like to cool off with a sip of my milky drink?

For just RM1.20, feel the heat dissipate as you throw back the sweet, soya milk. Feel the energy return to your lethargic body.

Soya bean milk for sale by the drums, to the neighbouring areas

The pandan leaf cutter

Adding pandan to the soya bean gives the drink a terrific aroma. Normally these leaves are knotted and thrown into the soya bean to brew and the essence permeates the drink.

How you spot an aristocrat drinking soya milk amongst the commoners! 

 2. The Chendol Man

Venturing deeper into the slip roads and back alley ways of Pudu, alongside the beads and tailor shops, you will find the Chendol man. Plastic tables and chairs in all sorts of assorted colors line the back roads and you will see people sitting down and eating snacks such as rojak that go so well with the Chendol.

A happy worker, makes a good chendol

mountainous snowy ice

White, fluffy ice that looks like snow, is shaved off from the ice machine, and packed into the container until it resembles a mountain of ice. The Chendol man then ladles in a generous scoop of coconut milk with green strands of pandan-flavoured mung bean. He drizzles some Gula Melaka (coconut palm sugar syrup) right at the peak of the ice mountain and it’s good to go.

You can take it away, or eat it on the spot

Eat your Chendol.. it’s good for you!

A grumpy boss is a rich boss!

The fabulous Chendol for just RM1.50. The green chendol strands are soft and springy with an intoxicating pandan aroma. If you add red bean, glutinous rice etc, the price can go up, but it is still pretty affordable. The green chendol strands go perfectly with the sweet and salty coconut milk – adding salt to the coconut is a must. It gives the dessert some dimension, and extra kick. This place does it just right!

 3. The Coconut Man

Under the same roof is the coconut man. For those who dislike all things too cloyingly sweet, God gave the coconut. The coconut has all the natural sugars and salts that make it the perfect drink if you have been sweating in the heat. It replenishes salts and minerals like no other drink can, whilst its sweet, white flesh gives you energy to carry on with whatever you’re doing. I love this drink even more than the Chendol. OK, maybe sometimes!

Using the cleaver to break into the coconut

Cumi digs in..

Hardly 5 star cutlery but it is enough to do the trick

 Ciki loves a goooood coconut, she does!!

I have found something new to obsess about.

The bubble tea trend is back in town and it’s taking the “youth of today” by storm. Pronounced CHA-time, these trendy bubble tea outlets have been springing up all over town, since July last year. Most English speaking Malaysians say CHAT-time but whatever the pronunciation, it is a very well established Taiwanese brand of Bubble Tea that is widespread worldwide, from China, South East Asia, Paris, Africa, Canada and Australia.

What I discovered, much to my delight, is that, not only is Chatime’s bubble tea fun to drink, there is also a healthy, low sugar variation that is ideal for fitness freaks like me. Chatime to suit many lifestyles and here are some of the popular ones to look out for. I myself have tried them all and attest to the fact that they taste good.

The Health & Gym Freaks – The thing about chatime drinks is, you can choose your level of sweetness for every drink from the menu. You can choose, slight, less or no sugar at all. This is great for those watching their weight or wanting to reduce their sugar intake.
My favourites:
Honey Lemon Aloe (No added sugar , with lovely chunks of Aloevera)
Honey Pomelo
Taiwanese Ice Plum Tea

Honey Pomelo

Taiwanese Ice Plum Tea

The tea Enthusiasts and purists – Chatime tea’s are made from freshly brewed tea leaves. Nothing is made from the yucky powders and flavoured syrups we all remember of bubble tea from yesteryear. You have fresh classic teas such as TieGuanYin, Pu-Erh and Genmaicha tea’s you can have on its own or with added toppings. Most of their drinks can be served hot too.
The ones to look out for:
Mango green tea
Wintermelon Grass Jelly

Mango Green Tea

Winter Melon Grass Jelly

The Adventurous Drinkers – There are lots of colourful funky new combinations to try if you’re the type to crave something exciting in texture.
I really dig the:
Grapefruit QQ
Japanese Matcha RedBean Smoothie
Strawberry Au lait

Grapefruit QQ

Japanese Matcha Red Bean Smoothie

Strawberry Au Liat

Most Regular size drinks start at RM4.90 a cup and RM5.90-6.90 for Large size cups.

Ciki and her bubble tea… Tea time, oh yeah!!

List of all Malaysian Outlets:
Pavilion KL – Lvl 4 connection level
Timesquare KL – Lower Groundfloor Centercourt
The Gardens Midvalley City – Lower Ground Floor
Sunway Pyramid – First Floor, New wing, Asian Avenue entrance
SS2 Mall – Ground Floor
SS15 Subang – First floor of shop lots; Directly facing Asia Cafe.
First Avenue Penang -  8th Floor; Next to TGV cinemas

LINK: www.chatime.com.my

LINK: fellow blogger who loves CHA

When Cumi & Ciki first read the email we were wondering what on earth is a Hot-can. Apparently this Can of drink heats up all on its own before you drink it. A heating mechanism that is self-contained in such an itsy- bitsy, teeny-weeny aluminum can, how hot could it possibly get?

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Hot-can is the brain-child of Dato’ Kenneth Warren Kolb, CEO of Hot-can Sdn. Bhd. By the age of 22 Dato Kenneth had already designed, developed and patented 25 over products and holds more than 27 patents worldwide. His background training is in Biological Science.

Watching the video and listening to Dato Kenneth’s short presentation, we were still not convinced. The proof of the pudding is in the eating, so we proceeded to try it out for ourselves.

Step 1 – turn the can over and read the instructions.

Step 2 – Peel off the anti-tamper label

Step 3 – Press the activation button

Step 4 – Shake can until steaming stops (green button lights up)

Step 5 – Turn can upright and enjoy your steaming hot drink!

Wow, unbelievable. The drink wasn’t just warm.. it was HOT! be careful not to scald your tongue.

We told Dato Kenneth to please, please consider Hot-can of soups, as this would be ideal for those of us who love tracking/camping in colder climates. Imagine how easy it would be to take this up to Mt Kinabalu without having to worry about heating utensils! A fantastic creation. We were really impressed. Anyway, below is a bit about the technical aspects of the Hot-can for those who are interested in what makes the can HOT.

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What makes it heat up?
A special double chambered aluminum can holds the beverage in the outer chamber and the calcium oxide (quick lime) in the inner chamber. When the button at the bottom of the can is pressed water is released into the quicklime, starting a reaction that heats the contents of the can by 50-55°C in less than 3 minutes.

Is the reaction safe?
Yes, it is non-toxic and the resulting by-products are chalk & water. The reaction is exothermic (giving off heat) and is essentially Carbon Dioxide (CO2) released when producing the Calcium Oxide (quicklime, CIO) by heating Calcium Carbonate (Limestone, Ca CO3).

How can I be assured that the Hot-Can is safe to use?
Hot can is FDA approved. The reaction is 100% natural, non-toxic and nonflammable. The heat is generated in a separate chamber called the heat engine, which does not allow the beverage to ever come into contact with the minerals used in the heat engine.

Why use aluminum to make Hot-Cans?
Because of its low carbon footprint! Aluminum, unlike plastic can be recycled again and again. It does not lose any of its strength or quality in the recycling process. It can be a never-ending process that continues to save energy and resources. That is why recycling aluminum makes sense. It saves a lot of energy. Today, aluminum can recycling saves about 11.5 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh)—enough electricity to light a city the size of Pittsburgh for six years.

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Thank you Nazeen Koonda of Mongoose Asia for the invitation to learn more about Hot-cans and to Havana for Hosting!