10 February 2020
Say it with Roses from Steenbergs
Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day are traditional times to express our love for our nearest and dearest, and giving flowers, especially roses, is seen as the perfect gift. This year, why not be original and ethical and send a foodie gift flavoured with Steenbergs rose petals? Deliciously fragrant and lasting longer than cut flowers, Steenbergs has taken organic rose petals and hand blended them with tea, spices and sugar to create a collection of scented goodies steeped in ancient traditions.
Well known for their delicious hand-blended loose leaf teas, one of the most popular blends is Rose & Bergamot Tea - a light brewing beautiful floral tea made with Ceylon and Chinese teas. Evocative of classical Persia, the blend is tea and damask rose with hints of orange blossom. Steenbergs has also added rose petals to its popular Earl Grey to create organic Earl Grey with Rose, a perfumed afternoon tea, reminiscent of grand Regency tea parties. Whilst Steenbergs Rose Pekoe Tea is an aromatic black tea that has been naturally flavoured with delicate rose petals and is one of the oldest, traditional flavoured teas from China. The teas are also available in a gift pack containing a classic tea tin, a Steenbergs signature mug and a heart shaped tea infuser.
Rose petals have traditionally been used in cooking, from fragrant baking to scented spices, and Steenbergs Organic has a mouth-watering selection. Take Steenbergs Organic Harissa With Rose - a spicy red hot chilli blend from North Africa, with the flamboyant added twist of organic rose petals – and rub into chicken for an instant kick. The popular spice blend Ras-al-hanut uses rose petals as a key ingredient. Literally meaning ‘top of the shop’, the rose petals add a floral fragrance to this subtle yet robust spice mix which was traditionally made up of spices embodying the spice trade. Every spice merchant has his own recipe and Axel Steenberg, co-founder of Steenbergs Organic with his wife Sophie, has developed his own unique hand-blended spice mix.
Steenbergs Organic’s home-baking range has gone from strength to strength in recent years due to the intense natural flavours that deliver such delicious home-made treats. Their organic Fairtrade Rose Sugar is no exception and can be used indulgently on scones, waffles, on pancakes and in fruit salads.
“We love hand-blending this sugar,” says Sophie Steenberg. “You get the wonderful bright damask colours from the deep pink rose petals, then the smell - oh the smell is just heaven.”
Steenbergs Organic Rose Water is made through a simple water extraction of classic Persian Damask Rose blossom and is delicious on all sorts of puddings, the only limitation is imagination, add it to ice cream, fruit salads and chocolate puddings. If you've never tasted rose cakes or cakes with rose icing on then now's your chance!
‘Steenbergs Organic Rose Water is one of my favourite Steenbergs products’ says Axel Steenberg, ‘and reminds me of my favourite rose - Rose de Rescht - and it's truly heavenly perfume’.
Whilst Steenbergs has used Rose Petals for maximum effect in spice, sugar and tea blends, they are also available to buy in their own stylish glass jars. Perfect for experimenting with rose petal jam, sprinkling on salads, added to rice or decorating pretty cupcakes, these fragrant petals make a beautiful addition to any home-baker’s pantry.
Say it with flowers and give an original ethical gift to your loved one this Valentine’s or Mother’s Day.
