Black Tea Jelly

So, I have a slight obsession with Curry-Ya, and on a recent visit, I got the coffee jelly and couldn't believe how good it was. I wanted to create my own version using black tea and here is the final result after many failed attempts. My version is mini—of course—and one cup makes four mini cups. A perfect snack or a light dessert.

BLACK TEA JELLY
Makes 1 cup 

INGREDIENTS
1 cup + 2 tablespoons of water
2 teaspoons of black tea (I used Thé du Hammam, a black tea from Le Palais des Thés.)  
1 1/2 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
2 teaspoons sugar
1 1/2 tablespoon condensed milk
1 1/2 tablespoon half & half

DIRECTIONS
1. Sprinkle gelatin over 2 tablespoons of water. Heat 1 cup of water and steep tea for 5 minutes.
2. Strain tea. Add in the gelatin and sugar. Stir until gelatin and sugar completely dissolves.
3. Pour tea mixture into four mini cups. Chill in the refrigerator until set, about 30 minutes to an hour.
4. Combine half & half and condensed milk. Pour a latyer of milk on top of each jelly. Enjoy! 

//Props used: Bitty Bite mini cups and demi spoons from Crate and Barrel.//

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Früute Tarts

These mini tarts are adorable! I would love to try each and every one—twice—but unfortunately these tarts from Früute don't travel outside Los Angeles. They also bake mini delectable looking cookies, which they do ship. A selection of their cookies and tarts would be perfect for the sweets course for an afternoon tea party. 

Photo Credit: From Linked Source

Tea at Three: The Des Concubines & Almond Brioche

TEA: The Des Concubines [Le Palais des Thés]
SWEETS: Almond Brioche [Bouchon Bakery]

A lovely combination. From Le Palais des Thés, The Des Concubines is a blend of black and green tea with fruity notes. Rose petals and fruit pieces can be found in the tea. That's paired with a nice slab of brioche covered with toasted almonds and powdered sugar ($3.50) from Bouchon Bakery. 

Tea at Three: Hojicha & Hazelnut Caramelia Cake

TEA: Hojicha [Harney & Sons]
SWEETS: Hazelnut Caramelia Cake [Dominique Ansel Bakery]

Picked up this round hazelnut cake from Dominique Ansel Bakery and paired it with Hojicha, my favorite tea. Both the Hojicha and the cake have nutty flavors so they went well together, although I have to say, Hojicha is a great match to a lot of savories and sweets. 

The Hazelnut Caramelia Cake has a silky mousse filling and is topped with caramelized hazelnuts. 

Bien Cuit

Oh, Bien Cuit, I wanted to like you, I really did. I had read good things and the bakery looked adorable. But alas, even though I wanted to like it, I didn't. 

Love their logo and the look of the bakery.

Walk in and there's seating to the left and the baked good displayed to the right.

Harney & Sons tea is served here. I got an iced tea in Winter White Earl Grey, which was smooth and refreshing. Not at all bitter.

There isn't a huge selection but there's everything from savory sandwiches to sweet tarts.

How great does that bread look? I should go back to try the bread.

A total of three baked goods were ordered and I was disappointed in all three. Above is the pistachio roulade and the iced tea. I was hoping the roulade would be light and flaky, but it was heavy and dense. The almond croissant (also dense), and the savory strata both lacked a punch in flavor. 

INFO: Bien Cuit | 35 Christopher Street | New York, NY 10014 | 646.590.3341