#tea: Guilt Free 'Pina Colada!'

What is it? Malibu Dream

The tastes of coconut, pineapple and rosehip combine to create this holiday-flavoured fruit tea packed with amino acids for optimal protein absorption. Coconut is one of those tooth-friendly foods too - it's full of threonine which not only supports healthy tooth enamel but speeds up wound healing. But putting healthy benefits aside...

This is a tea that's a drink in disguise -

A cocktail, a summer delight for your eyes

A caffeine free mix - a Pina colada

Which steeps you in summer and fuels your ardour!

Ever tried an iced tea? This should be your moment, Malibu Dream delivers an alcohol-free Pina colada to your table - anytime!

Why not try it with a piece of shortbread or Gluten and dairy-free polenta cake to put you in the holiday mood? And don't forget to have a browse on the bookshelves for some equally tasty reading!

#behindthescenes: K is for... Keeping things green!

We are all becoming increasingly aware that being eco-friendly or environmentally friendly is becoming more and more important.

Running a business such as ours means it can sometimes be difficult to remain completely ’green’ but we are still striving hard to do the little things which in the long run all add up in making sure our carbon footprint is as small as we can make it!

So what is Being Eco-friendly?

‘The simplest way to define what being eco friendly means is to say that it is the act of living with intent. The intent is focused on not creating harm to environment, and to prevent as much harm from occurring to the environment through your interactions with it. It goes beyond an idea and extends to actual practices that influence how communities, businesses and individuals conduct themselves. ‘

At Beatons we are working alongside our main coffee bean supplier to make sure that we are doing our bit to help the environment. 

Did you know that over 400 billion Cups of Coffee are consumed annually, creating a staggering amount of waste for landfill and harmful CO2 Emissions?
Our Coffee supplier decided that it was time to do something, they say: ‘We are take pride in our commitment to the environment and our growers. Whilst we are Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance Certified; we felt not enough was being done once coffee left our warehouses. That's why we developed Eco Roast Technology - a carbon reducing, zero waste process to completely reduce the impact that coffee consumption has on the environment.’ We couldn’t agree more and are proud to be able to support this process!

So how does it work? Using ground-breaking technology to harness the energy from waste coffee products to produce a biomass fuel; which is then used to fuel a unique biomass fuelled coffee roaster.

The roaster is a new concept that uses waste coffee grounds to produce freshly roasted coffee to be consumed, collected and reused - creating a sustainable, environmentally friendly process.

Once we have used our coffee the grounds are stored for collection. When we receive a delivery of fresh coffee, this is collected for processing and the eco-roast process to begin the cycle all over again. By collecting the waste at the same time as delivering the coffee, from the tearooms where this process is available for, we also reduce the amount of carbon that would be generated in the collection of coffee waste to the landfill.

Other small ways we try to help is by only using companies that work alongside environmental groups such as Green Earth Appeal organisation to buy our Take Away Cups and paper we use everyday in the office.

As a business that takes in a fair few deliveries we are aware of how much waste cardboard this creates and are diligent in making sure that all of our cardboard goes in to the recycling bin for collection every week.

We are proud of our efforts and are positive that our customers are happy to know that coming in and enjoying our products can be done with a clean conscience!

#beatonsbod: Emily, a Tisbury Turtle!

What's your role and what do you like best about your job?
I am a waitress and part of the Tisbury’s Front of House staff. I love interacting with the customers and building up good relationships, its so rewarding to see customers returning again and again! 

What's your favorite drink or edible from our menu?
I’d have to say that my favourite drink is the Soya Hot Chocolate, I like to add a shot of caramel in mine! If I’m trying to be healthier then I love the Gunpowder Tea, both delicious and comforting.

And how about your favourite book from our shelves?
That’s easy!  ‘Let them eat Cake’ by Gesine Bullock-Prado. Being on a plant based diet can sometime be restrictive when it comes to sweet treat, and this book has given me so much inspiration when it comes to yummy vegan recipes!

Which of the ways we like to go about things at Beatons means most to you and why?
What I like best is the way everyone at Beatons is so welcoming, it creates a great atmosphere, too many other establishments just feel cold and unfriendly, not Beatons!

If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

I would probably be a Sea Turtle, I love the water so much and Sea Turtles always seem to be so peaceful and protective of their own.

#beatonstearooms: J is for...Juicy new Smoothies and more!

We're delighted to have added some new items such as the Beatons Ploughman's which has been received eagerly by our customers.

‘We both had an excellent Ploughman's - a new addition to the menu I believe - the slice of pork pie was scrummy! Will definitely have another one on our next visit!’

Three delicious salads are now on our lunch menu, perfect for summery weather, which will your favourite be?

• Goats Cheese and Red Onion Salad-Prawn
• Orange, Avocado and Red Onion Salad
• Warm Sweet Chilli Chicken Salad with Cashew nuts and Bacon.

If you fancy something hot with a bit of a kick, we now have a new take on our hugely popular Spicy Tuna melt and are offering a Chilli Beef melt, chilli con carne on toast, smothered in cheddar cheese. Just ask for our ‘vegi’ option on this if you prefer, our vegetarian option is just as delicious!Two new sandwiches are on the menu, beautifully matched flavours of Beef with Horseradish Sauce  and  also a Brie and Cranberry option, yum!

All you who are looking for a healthy and delicious drinks option, our fresh and fruity new smoothies will definitely be a hit! We have the Berry Blast, packed full of Vitamin C  from the mix of blackberries, strawberries and blackcurrants! Or opt for our Mighty Green smoothie fresh and delicious with kiwi, pear, mint, apple and avocado. 

If you’re looking for something naughty but nice instead, try our Hot Belgian Waffles, drizzled with Chocolate Sauce served with Vanilla Ice Cream or the classic Italian dessert, Affogato, a generous scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream served with a single shot of hot Espresso.

We hope that you enjoy these new items as much as we have enjoyed tweaking and testing them, and we look forward to seeing you soon!

#tea: the great germ killer!

What is it? Lemongrass, Liquorice and Mint

One of our more robust herbal teas, the distinctive 'deep' flavours of lemongrass, liquorice and mint make this highly restorative.
Aromatic and slightly astringent - it's a great germ killer! Lemongrass leaves and oil are used in medicines for a wide range of ailments from high blood pressure to rheumatism. When drunk regularly its anti-hyperlipidaemic and anti-hypercholesteraemic properties support healthy cholesterol levels. Like most teas it's high in antioxidants and flavonoids.

Some teas insist our taste buds travel east where curled mint
And lemongrass stroke bold hibiscus dressed in Beatons' pink...

Unsurprisingly, given its use in Southeast Asian cuisine, this is an infusion which complements savoury dishes as well as all our desserts. However, scones are made for this tea irrespective of whether you order cheese or sweet with cream and jam as it enhances the flavours of both. Order today and let us know which combination you like best!

#tea: the youngest tea of all!

What is it?  White Peony

Also known as China Pai Mu Tan or Bai Mu Dan, White Peony is a sweet, mild Chinese tea made from unopened tea buds, as well as one or two of the newest leaves that sprout.

the silver of the dawn is rising in my chest
allowing each new bud (unborn and sweet) -
picked before the sun moves west
before the pickers dare to stop and eat -
to purify my mind, my heart, my blood
so when I meet the day I’m at my best

White Peony Tea is the lightest of all flavours with a sweet and smooth floral tone. Absolutely one for matching with summery delicate tastes and definitely not one putting alongside spicy flavours!

Although not a caffeine free tea, this tea is still very beneficial to us as it contains very high levels of antioxidants, great for cleansing our system.

If you are trying to be healthier this month why not pair it with something off our Elegant Options menu?

#Crowthorne - Drink Tea, Eat Cake and discuss Death!

Death Café at Crowthorne

A lot of you will be wondering what is a Death café?!

A Death Cafe is an event where people drink tea, eat cake and discuss death. The aim is to increase awareness of death and to help people make the most of their (finite) lives .

Proving to be hugely popular the death café  held in at Crowthorne Beatons tearooms is attended by up to 30 people and becoming more established. 

Annie Cygler who organised and hosted this death café tells us that all sorts of questions, ones that  perhaps usually wouldn’t be voiced are expressed freely, such things as,

‘How should I begin a conversation with my elderly parents about death and what they might want at their funerals? Do I even need to do that? What music might you like at your funeral? I'm going to a funeral tomorrow. What makes a good funeral? I never thought I'd have to plan my own daughter's funeral. What do think about assisted dying? Should children go to funerals? What's a good death? What would you like your very last words to be? To whom? Where?'

Clearly we all have a lot of questions regarding and death and the issues that surround it. To be able to have a relaxed, safe, environment where all attending are happy to discuss and explore these questions is a haven that many people truly appreciate.

Annie describes it like ‘the best book club ever,  but without the homework - you just come as yourself, with your stories, your hopes and your fears and chat and share or just be quiet and listen... ‘

If this is something that you would be interested in attending,  visit their Facebook page: Death Cafe Crowthorne here

Or contact Annie on deathcafecrowthorne@gmail.com.