Crumbs to Crunch

One of my favourite parts of Christmas is baking while singing along to Christmas songs. Get your apron on and spoil your loved ones with homemade presents this Christmas! Baking Everyone loves receiving cakes and biscuits. Why not make a your loved one's favourite cake and wrap it beautifully? Gingerbread men are a classic gift and a great way to get children baking. If you're feeling adventurous, try former Great British Bake Off winner, Frances Quinn's adorable gingerbread robins . For bite-sized treats, try making these chocolate and ginger cookie cup cheesecakes . Keep up with the Scandi trend by making these Swedish saffron lucia buns . Drinks When it's cold outside, there is nothing better than a warm brew. Settle down with the ultimate hot chocolate and a good book.  For arts and crafts fans, make a festive Christmas tree table decoration made out of teabags! Chocolate In my house, Christmas would not be Christmas with

Japan. A country where amazing, quirky ideas become realities. Take the universe of the themed café for example. Tokyo is abounding with cafés themed around every possible interest. There's cat cafés, owl cafés, cafés that give you pastries in the shape of Totoro, cafés in which you can be served by butlers, animé themed cafés... The list goes on and on. When searching around for our perfect café, we came across a concept café that we immediately fell in love with. The Moomin House Café. Situated at the base of Tokyo Sky Tree (right next to the Sky Tree station) The Moomin House café is the perfect stop off point when you need a break from your vigorous schedule of touristing. Just in case you have yet to encounter the joy that is the Moomins, let me give you a brief background. The Moomins are a series of books and comic strips written by the Finnish author Tove Jansson in the 1940s. With their large snouts and big eyes, they quickly became a huge internationa

Tis the season of Christmas Fairs and the cake stall is always the most popular. I recently volunteered to sell baked goods at my local fair so I thought I would share my tips to make your cake sale the best ever! Advertise your event - you have awesome baking skills so you need to let the world know! Get your arty friends to make posters. If you are doing a cake sale for a well known charity, they often have ready to print posters and other resources on their websites such as AmnesTea for Amnesty International or Macmillan's Coffee Morning. Variety is the spice of life - have a good selection of cakes and biscuits to cater for all appetites and tastes. Ask your friends to pitch in so you have a good spread without the stress of baking for a hundred people! Keep it simple - if you are providing lots of cakes, you can;t spend hours perfecting your showstopper like you're in the final of The Great British Bake Off. Simple home baking is best.  Batch baking

When I think of castles, I usually think of stone turrets. portcullis and battlements so I was quite surprised when I saw a white wooden castle looming in the distance. Of course Japanese castles would look different from British ones, I just had never thought about it before.   I visited Tsurugajo Castle in Aizu Wakamatsu which was once a stronghold for Samauri. Built in 1384, the castle was home to the feudal lords who ruled the area.  However, it was destroyed in 1868 during a rebellion that marked the end of the feudal era. The castle that stands today is actually a 1960s replica but is impressive nonetheless. I climbed to the top of the castle and got a feel for how the feudal lords felt surveying their kingdom.  In the castle grounds there is the adorable Rinkaku tea cottage which was built by Sen no Shoan specifically for tea ceremonies. In fact, his father invented the ritual that we know today as the tea ceremony.    Nowadays they offer a simplified cere

Halloween is almost upon us and when you think of Halloween, you think of pumpkins. While I do love carving them, I hate eating this mushy vegetable or so I thought till I tried pumpkin bread at yumchaa at Camden Lock in London.    Pumpkin bread with Chilli Chilli Bang Bang tea I think spices are the flavour of autumn. At this time of year, I love making apple pies and crumbles with lots of cinnamon so I decided to try pumpkin bread as it is also full of spice. In the UK, putting pumpkin in desserts is less common so I was intrigued to see how it would taste. I was pleasantly surprised, the pumpkin bread was quite dense yet smooth and packed full of flavour from the cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. To continue the spice theme, I had a pot of the amusingly named Chilli Chilli Bang Bang, a rooibos tea with a kick of ginger, red peppercorns, red thistle and cinnamon. The spices in the tea were very warming without being overpowering. Maple glazed spiced pumpkin mu

This is a Crumbs to Crunch first, today we are going to talk about poetry. Recently, I came across a little booklet called Ten Poems about Tea that explores how a simple brew can affect our lives such as inspiring love, memory and comfort. The collection begins with Carol Ann Duffy's poem Tea where Duffy makes tea for her lover. I particularly liked this line: I like the questions - sugar? milk?- This seemingly simple question creates a certain amount of intimacy as she learns something personal about her partner. Making tea becomes a gesture of her love and devotion and she is willing to do this 'any time of day'. In Thomas Hardy's At Tea love plays a different role. A married couple invite a lady for tea. Over a steaming cup of tea, the husband reflects on how their guest was the one that got away. The guest sits smiling and sips her tea, And he throws a stray glance yearningly. Instead of tea creating intimacy, in this scene, tea

I've always wanted to live in a castle. I would people watch from my battlements, scale my towers and wander through my extensive grounds.

Scones piping hot from a 1930s Aga, the tinkling of ivories and stunning views of the rolling Surrey Hills is the perfect recipe for a relaxing day out. Tea with a view! I had a very musical outing at the home of composer Ralph Vaughn Williams, Leith Hill Place in Surrey. I only discovered this special place fairly recently and I am so glad I did. The house is run by the National Trust but it is still quite a small operation. While the house is quite rough around the edges compared with other National Trust properties, it feels more alive than some other stuffy stately homes.  The house's musical tradition is kept alive by having pianos everywhere! Not only can you see Vaughn Williams's piano but visitors are also serenaded by fantastic pianists on the grand in the drawing room. Moreover, there are plenty of other pianos dotted around the house so I couldn't resist having a little play. What I love is that all the visitors get involved so you needn't feel

It is no secret that at Crumbs to Crunch do love their afternoon tea , so you can imagine my joy when I came across a chocolate afternoon tea. Chococo is a brightly coloured chocolate café just a stone's throw from Winchester Cathedral. Here you cannot simply ask for a hot chocolate. Oh no, you need to consider several factors - the percentage of cocoa, where the cocoa beans are sourced as well as extra syrups. I was feeling particularly extravagant so I ordered the chocolate afternoon tea. My hot chocolate was of the Madagascan variety, 70% cocoa flaked chocolate. This luscious drink was rich and creamy yet not too sweet nor bitter. It even came with a little chocolate. Instead of your average scone, I received a warm scone dotted with melted chocolate chips, smothered in thick dulce de leche and clotted cream.  The chocolate afternoon tea was a decadent delight. However, this amount of chocolate is not for the faint-hearted, only chocoholics need apply! 

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside... The Literary Lady and I did a little day trip to Brighton. We were quite deflated when we were met with high force gales and lashing rain. Not exactly ideal for a beach day. However, we are British and like so many of our countrymen, we soldiered on regardless because what do you expect from the Great British Summer?  In fact it turned out to be a lovely day. We navigated the warren of streets that is The Lanes and took refuge in the aptly named That Little Teashop In The Lanes . You cannot find a more traditional teashop from the floral china to the waitresses dressed in little hats an aprons. As well as all the cake classics like Victoria Sponge, they had also rustled up a raspberry and elderflower cake.  Elderflower is one of the flavours of the summer. I recently made some elderflower cordial so I was intrigued to taste it in cake form. At first all I could taste was the raspberry but then the elderflower suddenly came th

Summer is finally here! In Tohoku we're enjoying a small window of perfect weather, the glorious few weeks of sunshine and blue skies before the scorching humidity of the majority of the summer months. It's time to make the most of it and get outside!  With this in mind, we headed to the prefecture of Yamagata on a flower tour. The first stop was Sasho Rose Garden. This lovely little garden was stunning with its multitude of roses in every colour. The blue skies and walls of roses made the perfect backdrop for taking photographs. As a Crumbs to Crunch sister, it was also vitally important to find the perfect snack to match the surroundings. Sasho garden didn't disappoint and I was quick to snap up some rose gelato. Its mild and delicate flavour was the perfect accompaniment to this peaceful garden.  Next stop was Iide Dondendaira Lilly Garden. We were a little early to see all the lillies in bloom, but the ones that were out were beautiful. I loved the orange and y

I visited Quebec several years ago and since then have become quite interested in its history. I was eager to visit Quebec House in Kent was the home of General Wolfe, the controversial figure who brought Quebec under British control. The house has an exhibition about the Quebec campaign and also shows what life was like in the 1730s. I was surprised to discover most heavenly smell when I entered the house. I followed my nose to the kitchen to find some goodies... To my surprise, a lady was baking treats in this 18th century kitchen. The recipes were taken from General Wolfe's wife's recipe book. I tasted lemon drops which were like clouds of sugar and also a fruit cake that had a hint of orange blossom. The cook informed me that the most popular cake with the visitors are the macaroons. They are flavoured with rose water and are even gluten free. I loved connecting with the past through these treasured recipes. Quebec House is well worth a visit, not just for the free

If you go for a walk in the woods at this time of year, you might get a whiff of garlic. That's because it is prime wild garlic season! I spent a wonderful afternoon after work, foraging in the nearby forest. Wild garlic has long green leaves and small white flowers. It smells like garlic but tastes a lot milder than the garlic you get from the shops. Not only is the taste amazing but it is also free!  I used my wild garlic to make wild garlic and cheddar scones . Nothing went to waste, I used the leaves and the flowers in the scone mixture. The scones were so light and had a crispy cheesy top with a hint of garlic. They were a hit with my family so I definitely need to return to the woods to forage some more! It's a great excuse to get outside and be creative in the kitchen. You could make garlic bread, pesto or bubble and squeak.  The Telegraph  have a useful beginners guide for foraging wild garlic. The National Trust also have a guide on their best

After celebrating the arrival of Spring in Japan , it was high time to do the same in England. While in Japan it's all about blossom, England has to offer some fantastic bluebells.  Hatchlands in Surrey is a stately home famous for its large collection of pianos and harpsichords. However the star attraction that day was to be found in the forest.  I followed the trail past a tree house and eventually came across a bluebell glade. It was a magical sight, I even found a fairy sized door at the bottom of one of the tree trunks. I knocked but there was no answer... After losing myself amongst the bluebells, I headed to the stables which have been converted into a delightful tea room. I came late in the day and was crestfallen at the lack of cake. However there was some Victoria Sponge still going. I'd forgotten just how good Victoria Sponge is, often mistaking it as a boring choice but now consider it a classic. I had such

We've been around the world and tried many strange ice creams, from the tomato flavoured ice cream of Nice to the salt ice cream of Dublin . However, nothing quite matches the crazy ice creams available at Karafuneya Coffee in Kyoto. As soon as you enter this lovely cafe in the Sanjo area of Kyoto, you are greeted by an enormous number of plastic models representing the amazing desserts. The best thing about Karafuneya is the sheer range of sundaes. We were equally thrilled by the classic chocolate and strawberry parfaits and the slightly more unusual Japanese flavours, such as macha and black sesame. There were even enormous sundaes (about 2 feet tall) that you can share with all your friends. However, the real eye catchers are the more outlandish ice cream combinations. We spotted a model for a French fries parfait, a deep fried chicken parfait and an American hot dog parfait. The models actually looked surprisingly delicious, but we weren't feeling too adventurous. So

Spring has finally sprung and there is no better way of celebrating this glorious season than gazing at sakura in Japan.  I wasn't even planning to be in Japan for the cherry blossom season. Each area has such a narrow window for sakura that it was a wonderful surprise to be in Tokyo when the blossom was at its height. I had naively imagined myself writing haikus with blossom floating around me. In reality, about a million people and I crowded into Ueno Park to witness the event of the season! Surprisingly, it didn't matter that there were hoards of tourists and locals. In a bustling megacity like Tokyo, it was practically a miracle that we all managed to find a certain amount of peace, marvelling at this natural wonder. Many of the locals were picnicking under the blossom and their spread was incredible, from mouth watering noodle dishes to yakitori. I got very jealous and so headed towards the many food stalls in the park. I bought some Okonomiyaki which are ve

All You Read is Love is one of those rare places where you can stay for hours and never run out of things to do. This quirky café-cum-bookshop-cum-radio station in Leytonstone is the ideal place to spend a relaxing Saturday afternoon or a quiet evening with friends.  The decor is rough around the edges yet teeming with interesting upcycled pieces. It feels like you're hanging out in your hipster friend's living room listening to classic tunes on vinyl or improvising on the piano. The bookshop part offers eclectic secondhand or new volumes. I was loving the Scandi Lit corner, a nod to Nordic Noir fanatics like me.  The café also did not disappoint. My friend an I polished off a simple yet delicious pecan and banana slice as well as a generous slice of coconut and nutella sponge. Strangely, what stood out for me was not the cake but the homemade hot elderflower. I had just been on a walk in Epping Forest therefore it was an ideal post-walk treat. Whilst enjoying our

I have a new love and it is called melonpan. This sweet bread is everywhere in Japan, and when it’s fresh out of the oven, nothing can beat it. It is a light, sweet bread with a crisp top and can be recognised by the distinctive crosses etched onto it. The name comes from the fact that it apparently looks like a cantaloupe melon, rarely is the bread actually melon flavoured. As for 'pan', that is the japanese word for bread, which originates from Portuguese.  On my quest to eat as much melonpan as possible, I found myself at Asakusa Kagetsudo Honten. This tiny little shop near the Asakusa Temple in Tokyo is famous for its jumbo melonpan. Asakusa (Senso-jiin) is one of the most famous sights in Tokyo. This Buddhist temple was built in the seventh century. The big gate of thunder opens the way to a path lined by little huts selling Japanese souvenirs and snacks. Once you arrive at the temple, you can get good luck by wafting incense over yourself. You can even find o

One of my pet hates about Britain is that tea rooms close so early. Many a time have I been turned away at 4pm, gasping for a cup of tea! Spain is the perfect antidote to this as their whole day starts hours after ours. So you can imagine my delight when I stumbled across Tekoe , a tea bar in Madrid.  Hooray! I can finally have a late night cuppa if I wish! Tekoe is ultra modern yet cosy. They boast shelves upon shelves of loose leaf teas in bright green tins. I ordered an Evening Chai, an orange chamomile and mint concoction. It was a very light and soothing tea which was also a naturally sweet. For the real tea addicts, they also offer Earl Grey cake which is a lovely sponge with just hints of Earl Grey and a drizzle of icing. If you fancy going out one evening but don't fancy drinking then Tekoe is the perfect place for a chill evening with friends. 

Yesterday was Hina Matsuri in Japan, also known as Girl’s Day or Doll’s day in English. The celebration of this festival is a traditional way to pray for the health of a young girl. When a baby girl is born, parents often prepare dolls before her first Hina Matsuri. Then, every year a display is put up in the house. The top of the three-tiered platform has an emperor and empress doll. Surrounding them are court ladies, court musicians and items usually associated with marriage, such as tea ceremony utensils and personal effects that a wife would take to her new home. However, this display must be put away before the 3 rd March, otherwise it is said that the girls will not be able to get married. As in all cases, what really interests me about this festival is the food! I work in a school, and our special school lunch consisted of chirashizushi and hina arare. Chirashizushi consists of sushi rice with vinegar and sugar topped with raw fish and sometimes vegetables. Hina arar

Have you ever had the dilemma over whether to eat a doughnut or a croissant for breakfast? Then cronuts are for you! Well actually I have never had such a dilemma but surely they were invented for that reason. Whatever the origins of the cronut are, they do taste absolutely delicious!  I experienced the delight that is the cronut at  Chök  i n Barcelona. This chic Chocolate Kitchen produces a whole host of inviting flavours to choose from.  My friend went for an oreo cronut. I relished a pistachio one made out of a croissant style pastry filled with pistachio cream, dunked in chocolate and sprinkled in crushed pistachios. My mouth is watering, just describing it so you can imagine how it tasted!  I'm glad that I have finally tried this heart attack inducing treat but my advice would be to not eat anything before (and probably after)! 

Several years ago, an Italian lady gave me her wonderful chocolate cake recipe. This cake is one of my favourites because its texture is lighter than a brownie but fudgier than a normal cake. What's more, this cake is super quick and easy to make! As Valentine's Day is coming up, this cake could be a decadent treat for a loved one (or yourself)! After all, the way to this girl's heart is through her stomach...  Ingredients - 4 eggs separated into eggs and whites - 4 tbsp caster sugar - 1 tbsp self raising flour - 100g butter - 200g dark chocolate - icing sugar for dusting Method 1. Stir the yolks and sugar in a bowl. 2. Melt the chocolate and butter either over a bain-marie or in the microwave in 20 second bursts until melted. 3. Mix the melted chocolate and a spoonful of flour with the egg yolks and sugar. 4. Whisk the egg whites in a separate bowl until you get soft peaks. 5. Gently fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture. 6. Pour

Coming down Arthur's Seat No visit to Edinburgh is complete without a wander down The Royal Mile, a spectacular street headed by a magnificent castle and tailed by a royal palace.  My first stop was Gladstone's Land. This is an example of one of Edinburgh's early 'skyscrapers' where people from all walks of life lived on different levels of the building. The house was owned by a rich 17th century merchant. The upper floors are more lavish, including an ornate bedroom where the resident would entertain guests from bed! The ground floor is equally interesting as it is a recreated Luckenbooth - a lockable shop. This Luckenbooth was the workplace of a wool merchant who sold his goods through an arched window to customers on the street. At the end of the day he would lock the wooden shutters and the space would become his living quarter. Nifty! Biscoff slice with Chai Latte and Hot Chocolate. My next stop was inevitably at a tea room! Mimi's Bakehou