James Taylor, the Father of Ceylon Tea

James Taylor, the Father of Ceylon Tea

Jun 08 , 2022

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James Taylor was a 17-year Scott when he left London in 1851, landing in Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, and sent to work on a coffee estate near Kandy. Cof...

The London Chocolate Houses

The London Chocolate Houses

Jun 08 , 2022

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Cocoa was used as a beverage over 2000 years ago by the Mayans, who, like the later Aztecs, used cocoa on special occasions to reward brave warrior...

St Helena and Napolean’s Coffee

St Helena and Napolean’s Coffee

Jun 08 , 2022

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Far out in the South Atlantic, 1700 miles north-east of Cape Town, lies the tiny Island of St Helena. Discovered by the Portuguese, it was a perfec...

Still dunking after all these years

Still dunking after all these years

Jun 08 , 2022

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There has always been a good reason to dunk a biscuit. The Romans dunked their bis-coctum [twice-baked] biscuits in wine to make them edible. Later...

Tea Sold “by the Candle"

Tea Sold “by the Candle"

Jun 08 , 2022

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The Romans and Chinese were making candles more than two millennia ago – candles have come a long way from being just sources of light made from an...

The First Curry

The First Curry

Jun 08 , 2022

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The East India Company pioneers in India loved nothing more than enjoying a local curry with chutney. These ‘ordinary’ foods in India became exotic...

The Biscuit – From Hardtack to Sea Salt and Caramel

The Biscuit – From Hardtack to Sea Salt and Caramel

Jun 08 , 2022

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Today, there is a biscuit for every occasion, and it is one of the most popular sweet snacks in the world. But biscuits had a vital role in the lif...

The Guinea and The East India Company

The Guinea and The East India Company

Jun 08 , 2022

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When the Guinea was first minted in 1663 under King Charles II, it was a Critical Ingredient in the foundation of international trade and came quic...