Latest news with #CoffeeFriend
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Barista reveals the surprising ingredient you should use in your coffee instead of sugar
A barista has revealed the secret to the perfect cup of coffee is not sugar but salt, adding a pinch of it can 'work wonders'. While most wouldn't dream of seasoning their coffee with the same condiment they put on their chips, a barista at Tri Coffee shop in South West London, Caspar King, explained that salt can transform the flavour profile of a regular cup of joe. Speaking to coffee bean retailer, Coffee Friend, Casper shared how people can make the perfect cup of java at home. He said it all begins with the beans and how they are prepared. 'Good coffee depends less on the specific drink and more on the bean quality, grind, and brewing. When it's done right, you really can taste the difference,' he said. The taste can further be elevated by adding a little bit of salt to your brew, he continued, adding the common pantry staple can 'soften' the bitterness of the beverage. 'Believe it or not, a tiny pinch of salt in the espresso can work wonders,' he said. 'Some people are more sensitive to bitterness, and salt helps soften those sharp notes. It can really open up the flavour to those who usually find coffee too harsh.' Asked what coffee drinks have risen in popularity as of late, the barista noted 'the flat white has really taken off' and that it's here to stay. 'It's a shorter drink that lets the bold espresso flavours shine through, while still giving you that creamy texture and sweetness from the milk.' While most wouldn't dream of seasoning their coffee with the same thing they put on their chips, a barista at Tri Coffee shop in South West London , Caspar King, said salt can transform the flavour profile of a regular cup of joe (Stock image) However, Caspar prefers using whole milk over plant-based alternatives to make flat whites, even though lactose and dairy-free milks have also steadily been gaining in popularity. 'Alternative milks are easily the biggest shift. Whether it's for health reasons, dietary needs, or personal preference, more people are choosing oat, almond, coconut, or soya milk. 'There's also growing interest in syrups, and colder drinks no matter what the weather - but plant-based milks are leading the way.' Some people's coffee orders have been more unusual though. Casper noted a rise in people ordering iced cappuccinos, a particularly difficult drink to master given the challenges of steaming cold milk. 'It might not sound that strange but it's tricky to make as you can't steam milk for that frothy cappuccino texture and then let it cool down. So it ends up watery and lukewarm. Plus, with foam on top and liquid underneath, it's a bit of a mismatch in experience.' It comes after a brand manager at Pimm's left fans gobsmacked after revealing the proper way to serve the British summer classic. The cocktail, Pimm's No. 1 Cup is mixed with lemonade and served with cucumber, mint, orange, and strawberrie and served in a highball glasswever. However, Zoë Hetherington, one of the company's brand managers, has now claimed the right way to drink it is from a wine glass. This means you can get a larger serving of the garnishes. The drink should also be served from a carafe, rather than a jug, according to Diageo, the parent company of Pimm's. The brand has now crafted its own line of serving sets created in collaboration with tennis-pro-turned-artist, Gabriella Taylor. Each limited-edition set contains two wine glasses and a carafe. The designs were originally hand-painted by Gabriella on canvas, then digitised and printed onto the glassware. These decorations include strawberries, mint sprigs and cucumber slices, alongside fruit-filled trophies, tennis rackets and players. The serving set, according to the brand, 'offers fans a creative way to enjoy Pimm's at home'. Gabriella's work will also be on show at Wimbledon, appearing at the 'Pimm's on The Hill' bar at The Championships. Pimms is the official cocktail of many British summertime events - including Wimbledon, the Chelsea Flower Show, and Henley Royal Regatta.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Prince William & Kate Middleton Break Strange Royal Tradition Set by King Charles
Since tying the knot in 2011, and have made it clear that they're doing things their own way, and according to former palace butler Grant Harrold, that has included breaking a pretty unusual royal tradition that is still hanging onto. While talking to UK coffee brand Coffee Friend, Harrold said there's a surprising difference between what happens when someone has tea with elder royals like the king and when William and Middleton are the ones doing the hosting. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 "If you're being entertained in the presence of the royal family or at one of their homes, it's most likely you will drink out of a teacup and saucer," Harrold said, via Hello! magazine. Invited for tea at the Wales' home, Adelaide Cottage? "You can be sure you'll be given a mug," he said. "If you're with the King and Queen, and it's more of an occasion, you'll probably be served tea or coffee in a cup and saucer or a demi cup," he explained. It makes sense that the king would be more stringent when it comes to formality and royal protocol than his son's family would be. But after all of the buzz about how the Prince and Princess of Wales are on a mission to modernize the monarchy, there's a chance that William and Middleton's more relaxed nature may stick around even after he takes the throne.
The Sun
14-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Ex-royal gardener reveals the everyday kitchen staple to help give your flowers a boost in the garden this summer
A FORMER royal gardener has revealed the kitchen staple that can give your flowers a boost for summer. With temperatures set to remain high this weekend, it's the perfect time to get outside and get stuck in to your gardening tasks. 3 3 3 And although you may think that getting your garden in tip top shape will involve the use of pricey products, Jack Stooks, a former royal gardener, has revealed that a throwaway item has a multitude of uses in the garden. The gardener, who previously worked at the Highgrove Estate, revealed that leftover coffee grounds are great to use as compost. "They are great to use in compost, they break down well and add to the mix, so that's definitely something worth doing," he said, on behalf of Coffee Friend. "You can also add them directly to garden beds. "If you're producing a lot of grounds, they can even act a bit like a mulch and get worked into the soil.' Compost provides essential nutrients to plants, helping to give them a boost so they bloom bright in summer. However, Jack warned that since coffee is acidic it is not suitable for all types of plants. He explained that ericaceous plants - things like rhododendrons, azaleas, and hydrangeas prefer acidic soil, so will tolerate the coffee grounds well. However, he added that for plants that don't like acidic soil, coffee grounds are best avoided. The gardening whizz also revealed that coffee grounds can be used as a hack to deter squirrels. Grow your groceries - how to grow tomatoes from tomatoes! Simply place them around bird feeders and the strong smell of the grounds will keep the pests away. However, he added that the hack is messy as the grounds will turn to sludge once it rains. " Birds will walk through it, and that mess can then turn into a breeding ground for disease, which could spread among the bird population," he warned. Sharing an alternative tip, Jack advised using Slinky to keep squirrels at bay. 5 ways to save money in your garden Garden design experts at Lighting Legends have revealed the ways you can lower gardening costs. 1. Install a water butt Water butts are a large container that sits in your garden and collects rainwater. This water can then be used to water plants, top up ponds or water features and wash the patio and other garden furniture. The natural outdoor water could help you save money on your water bills as you are less likely to use a hose during the summer months. 2. Use solar powered or LED lighting Solar powered lights get their energy from the sunlight in the day so they can illuminate your garden at night. They're easy to install and are a great choice for keeping electricity bills low. LED lights are another option that are long lasting and energy efficient. 3. Grow your own salad and vegetables Growing your own salad and vegetables will not only save you money but it can also feel really rewarding. Things like lettuce, radishes, and spinach are all fairly easy to grow. 4. Upcycle waste and rubbish Get creative and start upcycling items instead of throwing them away. Use sticks from ice lollies as plant tags or turn old watering cans and wheelbarrows into planters instead of buying new pots. Once you get creative the ways to upcycle are endless. 5. Start composting Start composting your kitchen scraps like vegetable peelings and coffee grounds and combine them with garden waste such as leaves and grass clippings to create a nutrient rich compost. This could reduce your need to spend money on expensive fertilisers. 'You can simply thread it down the pole of your bird feeder, and when a squirrel tries to climb it, they simply can't, " he said. "It's a much cleaner and safer solution than spreading coffee grounds everywhere, just in case they get wet.' Jack previously revealed the one mistake gardeners should never make to their lawns, if they are keen to keep grass green and healthy. "When it gets too hot, what you definitely don't want to do is keep mowing the grass and keeping it as short as possible", he told Big Fat Links. "You want to forgo cutting for a week or two so that the grass keeps growing by itself, rather than depleting it. "Wait until you have some moisture back in the soil."
Daily Mirror
05-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
King Charles' former butler reveals one ingredient the Queen 'never indulged' in
According to a former royal butler, the royal family has a very specific tea drinking schedule - and there are certain ways the family enjoy their favourite drink A cup of tea is a staple in most family homes - and it's no different for the royal family. Now a former royal butler has shared just how the monarchy enjoy a warm cup just like the rest of us and spilled some of the secrets behind their drinking habits. Grant Harrold served as King Charles ' personal butler at Highgrove from 2004 to 2011, and said tea and coffee is typically served six times a day in a royal household, and the King is known for enjoying multiple cups to keep him fueled while working at his desk. The former butler revealed the late Queen never opted for anything sweet in her tea or coffee, and Charles also stays clear of sweet additions, and the staff have to stick to the royal drinking schedule - as he breaks down the specific times everyone indulges in a hot drink. Grant revealed to Coffee Friend that while older members of the family prefer a more civilised affair with a cup and saucer, Prince William and Kate Middleton are happy to enjoy a brew in a mug. "The amount of time a tea or coffee is brewed is a personal choice. Everyone likes their coffee at different strengths, but the royals want to be able to taste their cup of tea or coffee, without it being stewed," Grant revealed. "It will take a couple of minutes for a cup of tea, but if they're making coffee in a cafetière, it will probably be four or five minutes for the best flavour." When it comes to sweetness, Grant said the King stays away from sugar or sweeteners when he's having a coffee as he opts for a spoon of honey and detailed: "It's a great alternative and he's had it for years. "We used to offer all members of the Royal family the choice to have sugar or sweeteners - but I must say, I have never seen the Queen or anyone indulge in sugar when having their coffee or tea." The insider also shared Charles' love for both tea and coffee, and revealed he will have around "three to four cups a day, but it's offered regularly in case he "wants more" but there are specific types of tea that are drank. "If you're at the Royal home, there will also be a Chinese or Indian tea on offer. Normally an Earl Grey or Assam will be within the selection. Tea bags are used from time to time, but Royals will definitely prefer tea leaves to a bag. It's more traditional," he further detailed. As the tea types differ, so does the cup they will drink it from as well Grant shared, "If you're being entertained in the presence of the Royal family or at one of their homes, it's most likely you will drink out of a teacup and saucer. "But it depends on which Royals are present. If you're in the kitchen with Princess Anne or Kate and William during a less formal visit, you can be sure you'll be given a mug. But if you're with the King and Queen, and it's more of an occasion, you'll probably be served tea or coffee in a cup and saucer or a demi cup." He also revealed you won't be given a new cup if you are having more than one cup of tea or coffee. It's likely your cup will be taken away for a quick wash and then returned. Or if you are having it from a teapot, it won't be washed. "It isn't bad etiquette to use the same cup unless you change the type of drink." According to Grant, this is what a royal's daily drinking schedule looks like: Morning drink: 7:30am Coffee and tea Breakfast: 8am-10:30am Tea and coffee served Elevenses: 11am-12pm Tea will be served with biscuits Prelunch drink: 12:30pm-1pm Alcoholic drink served Lunchtime: 1:30pm-2:30pm Coffee and herbal tea served Afternoon tea: 4pm-6pm Traditional breakfast tea Pre dinner drinks: 7:30pm-8pm Alcoholic choice After dinner: 8:30pm-10:30pm Coffee and herbal teas served
