Hoogly Blogs / hospitality

HYGGE HOTEL

HYGGE HOTEL

Greetings Hoogly fans! Many of you, I’m sure, will be thinking about heading off on holiday in the next few months, perhaps for the first time in over two years. Airports and planes are filling up gleefully and international travel provides a much-welcome opportunity to leave your stresses behind for a week or two, to soak in some warm rays, lounge at a pool or beach, and eat like kings without worrying about washing up. 

And those of you who have the chance to escape will most likely end up in a hotel, which—if it’s done right—is one of the best parts of travelling: a environment where you feel pampered, important, carefree and relaxed. A good hotel will be centred around you, offering a luxurious, comforting and attentive experience, giving you the confidence to sit back and let someone else think about the duties and details. A good hotel should create fond memories and inspire the urge to return—for the setting, for the company, for the mindful ambiance. It should entertain and inspire, offer warmth and familiarity, but at the same time allow its guests to discover new and exciting experiences. 

The emphasis on luxury and comfort that defines the best hotels is also at the heart of what we do at Hoogly. We want you to ‘check in’ with our broad selection of indulgent and delicious teas and then sit back, relax and let our creations do all the hard work. We aim to give take you on a journey of glamour and exotic tastes, as well as acknowledging the importance of simple pleasures that remind us of home. Our ethos is centred on allowing you to treat yourself to some well-deserved me-time, providing a cosy, mindful and elegant way to unwind and focus on restoring yourself to full capacity. And like the best hotels, we have a sneaking suspicion that once you’ve discovered Hoogly, you’ll want to return over and over again. 

For the sun-drenched joy of the poolside bather, we heartily recommend Apricot Blossom White Tea. This exquisite combination of Chinese Pai Mu Dan and crisp green tea is complemented by soft stone fruit flavours to create a subtle masterclass in summer relaxation. 

For the fine-diners amongst you, why not try Rhubarb and Vanilla Green Tea? This tantalising pairing of tart rhubarb and sweet vanilla is a beautifully balanced brew, perfect for any time of day or occasion, making it one of our firm favourites, and a joy from first to last sip.

Those who enjoy the carefree, fun-filled pleasures of the beach will be enthused by the sun-soaked sensation that is Spiced Orange Herbal Infusion! This is a zesty, fruity mix, propelled by a generous dose of mulled spices, squeezing every ounce of pleasure from the mug. 

And for those who wish to be pampered in the massage parlour, we’ve got just the indulgent delight for you! Chocolate Brownie Black Tea is unapologetically decadent, ironing out all those stressful creases with its rich and delicious simplicity, making you sigh and smile with every taste. 

That’s it for now, tea lovers! If you’re off on holiday soon, I wish you safe travels and all the best for your adventures! Remember the three most important items for your trip: passport, boarding card and a box of Hoogly Tea safely stowed in the suitcase!  

Written by Chris Bedford

www.hooglytea.com 

 

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COME DINE WITH ME

COME DINE WITH ME

Greetings Hoogly fans! I hope everyone is doing well. It’s great to see the country creeping back into some sort of normality after such a long and difficult few months. While there still seems a fair way to go in this surreal and unprecedented journey, we can at least begin to do some of the things that have been denied to us during lockdown, including eating out! This is a favourite pastime of mine; I love everything about the experience of dining away from home. I especially enjoy the simple pleasure of not having to cook my meal: this is an underestimated joy, and is matched only by the delight of avoiding the washing up. These factors most easily explain why I spend far too much time (and money) in restaurants and pubs—but I can’t help it. There’s something magical about it.

Another huge part of the pleasure of eating out, of course, is the sociability. I think this was one of the things I found hardest about lockdown; the inability to meet regularly with friends and family over a table of good food and catch up on gossip, or put the world to rights with far-reaching debates and conversations. The love of cuisine is something that binds us together; and the experience of the restaurant is something that is best when shared. It starts with the perusal of the menu; the giddy anticipation that comes with the wealth of choice; the slight disappointment that your decision must be boiled down to only one selection, and the promise of something sweet to end the meal.

Then comes the wait. The mouth-watering pause between waiter/waitress visitations, and the smell of the kitchen wafting through the room. And then the plate arrives, placed in front of you like a dream, artfully presented or piled high; a glorious, indulgent reason to be cheerful. The first bite is everything: perhaps you go quiet for a moment. Block everything else out. Spend some alone-time with your main course; taking in the flavour, the texture, the delicate acrobatics of your taste-buds as they are caressed by the food. Once you’ve got to grips with the treat in front of you, the conversations can begin again; declaring how delicious your meal is to others as they confirm the quality of their own dish; swapping stories of where inferior or superior versions of the same meal have been experienced in the past, or perhaps tales of cooking the same dish at home with good or bad results. Sometimes things are left unsaid, however. Jealous glances followed by rueful thoughts. I wish I’d chosen what she’s having. I knew I should have ordered chips. Would it be wrong to ask for seconds?

But food aside, as I mentioned earlier, the loveliest part of dining out is being in the company of those you love and cherish, experiencing a joint adventure that keeps us connected and in touch, creating memories that sustain us through the working week, and through the hardships that inevitably arrive at our door. And the most recent global hardship has made the art of eating into a quite different experience, but one that I think will gradually help us move away from the darker months that preceded these. It will take time, of course. There is naturally, and rightly, an undercurrent of caution to getting back into our old habits, but I think a shared love of quality grub, conversation and lack of kitchen chores will eventually become second-nature once again.

And, of course, there is no better way to round off an evening—whether you’ve been at work, out for a meal, or spending the day at home—than flipping on the kettle and settling down with one of our amazingly relaxing Hoogly teas! We have a huge range of brews that represent our cosy, mindful ethos, helping you find that perfect moment of calm in the storm of modern life. The Hoogly range have scents that are as enticing and delicious as their flavours, and will soon find a special place in your daily routine—and maybe even your heart! We’re all about treating yourself to something special, which is why we love having a meal out, and which is why we design all our teas to put you, the customer, first, helping you focus on the simple things in life that bring you joy and calmness.

Our recommendation today is: Baked Apple Chai black tea. This versatile delight is an excellent accompaniment to any occasion and climate, working from a base of mellow Sri Lankan black tea, which overlaps with the dazzling flavour combination of apple, ginger, cinnamon and vanilla pieces. Throw some blackberry and lime leaves into the equation, and you’ve got yourself a luxurious mug of happiness that will put a smile on your face time and again.

So until next time, stay safe, go at your own pace, and love tea!

Written by Chris Bedford, 

www.hooglytea.com

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