Valentine’s Day is here and if you’re one of the unlucky few caught without a present, you don’t have to resign yourself to an endless series of mea culpas. Instead of begging for forgiveness, get in the kitchen as soon as possible and start baking up a storm! It’s a tried and true notion that some of the best gifts are the ones you make yourself. Besides, no one can stay angry for too long when baked goods enter the equation–especially if they involve delicious loose leaf tea.
Bakers have known it for a while: premium loose leaf tea is an easy way of putting a gourmet twist on your favorite treats. What’s more, loose leaf teas exist in so many varieties that you can experiment endlessly. If you want to add a spicy kick to your favorite cookie, add some chai. Take your favorite cupcakes and add some floral notes with a tasty tisane. If you’re used to infusing your baked goods with vanilla flavor, but want to try a natural alternative to syrups, try a vanilla bean rooibos.
Chefs Mix has a comprehensive rundown on everything you should know when it comes to baking with tea. The trick? Incorporating loose leaf tea into butter so you can fully combine it into your favorite recipes. Another creative way to use loose leaf tea is to create a simple, flavored glaze to drizzle over your baked creations. If you’re feeling particularly ambitious (or particularly repentant for forgetting your sweetie on Valentine’s Day), try both.
Is your mouth watering yet? Dust off your favorite recipe for cookies, cupcakes or cake and give it a try. If you’re feeling stumped, you can get inspiration from one these Valentine’s Day baked good recipes at Yummly.
Whatever you end up doing to celebrate today, we hope love is brewing for you somewhere. Happy Valentine’s Day from The Tea Smith.