Latest news with #Matcha
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Are you a fan of Matcha? I may have found the best café for it in Colchester
Are you a fan of Matcha? I may have found the best café for it in Colchester I'VE never understood the hype around matcha. There, I said it. Every so often, I give it another try — convinced by glowing Instagram posts and gushing recommendations — only to be met with yet another overly bitter, grassy disappointment. But scrolling past yet another story of someone sipping a bright green iced latte on a sunny terrace finally pushed me to make one last attempt. This time, I headed to Ella's Ca Phe House on Sir Isaac's Walk — and I'm glad I did. Ella's ca phe house (Image: Newsquest Reporter) A well-known Vietnamese café and restaurant in the heart of Colchester, Ella's has already earned a loyal following for its coffee — so I figured, if anyone can change my mind about matcha, it's them. ADVERTISEMENT I ordered their Strawberry Matcha Latte (£6.50) and, to my surprise, it was fantastic. Strawberry matcha (Image: Newsquest Reporter) Light, creamy, not overly sweet, and without that overpowering grassy flavour I usually dread. The strawberry and matcha actually complemented each other — a rare feat, in my experience. While sipping on my very first enjoyable matcha, I scanned the menu and decided to try something more: their Pork Banh Mi (£9.50). A traditional Vietnamese sandwich, it arrived crisp, fresh, and absolutely packed with flavour — tender pork, crunchy pickled veg, and a kick of spice nestled in a perfectly baked baguette. Banh mi sandwich (Image: Newsquest Reporter) It was easily one of the best things I've eaten in town this month. The venue itself is just as vibrant as the flavours. The décor is colourful and full of personality, with a warm and welcoming vibe. The staff are lovely — friendly, attentive, and clearly passionate about what they serve. ADVERTISEMENT The gorgeous interiors (Image: Newsquest Reporter) It's no wonder the place is always buzzing. With summer here, I have no doubt Ella's will continue to be a go-to hotspot in Colchester. From refreshing drinks to flavour-packed bites, it's a café that delivers — even for the matcha sceptics among us. So if you, like me, have never been sold on the green stuff, give it one more go at Ella's. You might just be converted.
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Rare KitKat flavours usually found in Japan spotted in big British supermarket chain
Plus, find out why KitKats are wildly popular in Japan SHOP TO IT Rare KitKat flavours usually found in Japan spotted in big British supermarket chain Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SHOPPERS have spotted rare Japanese KitKat flavours at a big British supermarket chain. The unusual flavours include Matcha, Milk Tea and Strawberry. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The Japanese KitKat multipacks have been spotted in a Farmfoods store Credit: Facebook/Food Finds UK Official They're usually available in Japan but eagle-eyed shoppers spotted them in Farmfoods, which has more than 300 stores across the UK. KitKats are wildly popular in Japan and there have been more than 300 limited edition flavours of the chocolate bar released in the East Asian country. Many of the flavours are released regionally, and there is a popular tradition where people will bring back flavours for their friends and family when they travel to different regions. Nestle, which owns KitKat, has attributed the chocolate's success in Japan to this tradition. Now some of these flavours have appeared in Farmfoods in multipacks. A shopper shared the spot on the Facebook group Food Finds UK Official. The Matcha flavour is based on the traditional Japanese drink made from powdered green tea. Meanwhile the Milk Tea flavour has creamy milk chocolate flavoured with black tea extract. The Strawberry version has a strawberry-infused white chocolate coating. It's made with real strawberry juice powder and pieces. Fans mourn discontinued KitKat candy bar they will never see again – and they say it was 'the best one' The bars are usually difficult to get hold of in the UK although they can be bought from websites selling imported sweets. For example, Candy Mail is selling a pack of the Strawberry flavour for £5.99. It's not clear how much the packs are selling for in Farmfoods. Which other unusual KitKat flavours can you get hold of? Nestle has recently released a range of new KitKat flavours to delight chocolate fans. KitKat Nescafe Mocha Flavour is a collaboration with the instant coffee maker and combines espresso, chocolate and milk. It's been spotted in Sainsbury's and Waitrose and on Ocado, where it's selling for £2.20 to £2.25. Another brand mash-up is the KitKat Chunky Rolo, which has been spotted in some convenience stores in the UK. The bars, which are filled with the famous Rolo caramel, are usually available in Canada. Earlier this year, Nestle also launched a new-style KitKat sharing bar in three flavours. The exciting new flavours are Double Chocolate, Salted Caramel and Hazelnut.
Web Release
6 days ago
- Business
- Web Release
Saddle Becomes the First Emirati Specialty Coffee Brand to Open in Saint-Tropez
Saddle, the UAE's homegrown specialty coffee and dining concept, is continuing to take the region's unique coffee culture global with a new destination in the French Riviera's stylish coastal gem, Saint-Tropez. What began as a homegrown café in Dubai has transformed into one of the most iconic specialty coffee brands in the region, and is growing globally. And now, Saddle has officially landed in Europe's most glamorous seaside hotspot. With more than 25 outlets already operating across the Gulf, London, and Cannes, Saddle has added Saint-Tropez to its growing map, a destination that perfectly reflects the brand's love for quality, atmosphere, and cultural connection. With its arrival in Saint-Tropez, Saddle becomes the first Emirati specialty coffee brand to make its mark on this iconic French summer destination. Saddle's new Saint-Tropez café blends relaxed Riviera charm with its distinctive café experience. Guests can enjoy specialty coffee using a selection of beans sourced from around the world and their popular Pistachio Milkshake, made with Sicilian Pistachios. Additionally, visitors can enjoy a variety of fresh pastries and made-to-order creations such as Saddle's delicious crepes served with precision and flair. The menu showcases thoughtfully curated, high-quality ingredients that elevate the flavor and experience of Saddle's signature Matcha and Açaí offerings. Like every Saddle location, the space has been designed to reflect the local spirit, with elegant interiors, artwork, and touches inspired by the French coast. As part of its broader brand ethos, Saddle is also known for exciting collaborations with world-class luxury and lifestyle names such as Sephora, Land Rover, Tiffany & Co., and Bentley. Since launching in 2017, Saddle has grown into one of the GCC's most recognizable coffee concepts, earning top ratings across its locations. With a loyal following, a deeply rooted identity, and a vision for global impact, Saddle is taking the UAE's taste for coffee excellence and hospitality to the world stage, one city at a time.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Two new restaurants coming soon to Burnsville Center
Two new restaurants coming soon to Burnsville Center originally appeared on Bring Me The News. Two new restaurants are coming soon to Burnsville Center, bringing flavors from South Korea and Japan to the former Applebee's space. Chingu Korean Fried Chicken promises Korean street food classics and, of course, chicken wings. No opening date has been announced, but the restaurant is teasing a grand opening announcement on social media. "From saucy wings to loaded fries and all the bold Korean flavors you crave — your new favorite chicken spot is almost here," the restaurant shared. Kyo Matcha, which has roughly a dozen U.S. locations, is also in the works. The Burnsville cafe will be Kyo Matcha's second in the Twin Cities, joining Minnesota's first location that opened in Richfield last year. The matcha cafe focuses on drinks and desserts featuring high-quality matcha. "Due to the influence of the Japanese-style matcha culture, the Kyoto Matcha is based on the brand mission of 'Let the Tea Return to the Forest', rooted in the traditional Japanese tea culture and dedicated to the promotion of Matcha culture," the cafe's website shares. The menu includes a wide range of photo-worthy treats. There's a brown sugar boba milk cake, a peach oolong crepe layer cake and many others - including whipped cream-stuffed cakes delicately rolled to look like a towel. One of the destination's signature treats is the matcha ice cream parfait, which features cornflakes, red beans and rice mochi. Over on the mall's northern extension, the wait continues for the long-delayed Asian supermarket and food hall transforming the former Gordman's space. No opening date has been announced. This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Time of India
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Not My Cup of (Matcha) Tea
When a long California queue flatters to deceive There are few things in life more suspect than a long queue of students outside an ice cream shop – except perhaps a professor starting class on time. Yet there I stood, hypnotised by the serpentine line outside Maruwu Seicha, a Japanese tea specialty store on University Avenue, Bay Area, famed for its Matcha ice cream and even more for the number of selfies clicked in front of it. The aroma of exclusivity was thick in the air. After 20 minutes of pondering life, love, and lactose, I reached the counter and asked the fatal question: 'Is this gluten-free?' The cashier, clearly trained in the ancient art of customer discouragement, stared at me as if I'd asked her to explain quantum physics in iambic pentameter. With a weary sigh, she barked, 'Hey, anyone know if there's flour in the ice cream?' Several heads nodded vaguely – either in agreement or early signs of fatigue. I took that as a 'probably safe'. Ordering was a bit like investing in cryptocurrency – you don't understand it, but everyone else seems to be doing it, so you throw caution (and cash) to the wind. My order was punched in without knowing what it was, only that it wasn't sold out. We were united in ignorance, the cashier and I – two souls adrift in a sea of Matcha. The wait stretched on like a Tolstoy novel. Around me, young scholars buzzed with the vigour of finals-week caffeine. Their devotion to Maruwu's green swirl suggested that either the tea had magical properties or tuition didn't buy much else. Finally, my prize arrived: a dainty spiral of jade-green mystery, perched atop a cone like a temple offering. One lick in, I paused. Was this dessert or penance? The second confirmed my fears – it tasted exactly like a bitter tea gone cold, frozen in time. I passed the rest to my unsuspecting family, murmuring with poetic resignation, 'Not my cup of tea.' They nodded with pity. I had been Maruwu'd. To be fair, this may be a delicacy for those who enjoy their dessert with notes of ancient philosophy and powdered austerity. For the rest of us, Salt & Straw exists – and with flavours that don't double as dissertations. Moral of the cone: sometimes FOMO leads you to enlightenment; sometimes, it just leads you to a very cold green regret. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer This article is intended to bring a smile to your face. Any connection to events and characters in real life is coincidental.
