Category: Sweet Treats & Afters

Description Some time ago, I lived in Hiroshima prefecture, Japan. One thing that I developed a taste for was matcha coffee, or まっちゃ (抹茶) in Japanese. It’s a blend of the bitter, bright green powdered green tea (famously used in the traditional Japanese tea ceremony), espresso coffee and soya milk. It was delicious, the bitterness…… Continue reading Matcha-Chai Spiced Tea

Description It’s now mulberry season on the Eastern belt in China. A lovely time of year here. The sun is out with a few days of intermittent rain, and the fruits available are more varied. I usually go fruit-picking at Tian Gong Zhuang Yuan in Yinzhou District, Ningbo, around about now. Next month the waxberries…… Continue reading Mulberry Stew & Warm Spiced Coconut Milk

Description I love eating ice pops in the summer to cool down, but have long avoided those shop-bought ones because of course they tend to be loaded sugar and artificial flavouring. I recently bought ice pops makers and this is one easy recipe, without sugar, that I love. This recipe makes 2. Ingredients Pure coconut…… Continue reading Raspberry & Lime Ice Pops

Description Dragon fruit is abundant in Asia and very nutritious, raw it’s full of vitamin C, and even contains some calcium. The red dragon fruit is especially high in anti-oxidants (like most red or purple foods). According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is a restorative food for women who are slightly anaemic or menstruating. Here’s…… Continue reading Red Dragon Fruit Yoghurt Shake (Lassi)

Description What I like about desserts or sweet bites in China, is that they aren’t too sweet. Sometimes salted dishes taste sweeter than desserts. This dish isn’t my recipe, it’s a classical sweet soup that flavour-wise reminds me more of a tea. I’ve found this sweet soup in many parts of China but I think…… Continue reading Snow Fungus, Chinese Red Date & Goji Berry Soup Sweet Soup

Description When I lived in Mexico, chia seeds were available everywhere. So cheap and so abundant in cooling drinks sold at local street food stalls. I wasn’t aware of their health benefits at the time, but I certainly enjoyed drinking the refreshing chia fresca and licuados on hot sunny days. Now, chia seeds are available…… Continue reading Chia Fresca Variations

Description This drink is sour, spicy and refreshing all at the same time. It’s a nice way to rehydrate and adds macro-nutrients to your diet too. Both tamarind and ginger offer bang for their buck nutritionally, as well as lots of flavour. Tamarind, native to Mexico and neighbouring countries, as well Pakistan and India and…… Continue reading Ginger, Tamarind & Fresh Mint Sparkling Water

Description Goji berries, or wolf berries, are available everywhere since they’re native to China. You can even find them in your local Pharmacy because they a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) ingredient, said to promote calmness and improve sleep if consumed regularly. They are now even becoming more popular in Western supermarkets as they are low-GI…… Continue reading Goji Berry Raw Jam & Cordial

Description  Turmeric is one incredible ingredient. It is a root, used for thousands of years for it’s anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. Typically, used in Indian cuisine, it is most often used in preparing curries and teas. Turmeric, also known as curcumin, has the ability to increase the production of enzymes that digest fats and sugars,…… Continue reading Tiger Nut Golden Milk

Description  Hibiscus flower tea has a lovely sour taste, which I love. It is such a common ingredient here in China, and one of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) healing flowers. It is said to lower blood pressure, and actually, there have been a number of scientific studied conducted to support this claim in recent…… Continue reading Hibiscus, Calamansi Citrus & Basil Water