Herbal Teas in the Hands of Professional Chefs
Our herbal teas were always designed to do more than sit quietly in a mug. The botanicals in each blend: hibiscus, rose, jasmine, spearmint, lemon balm and more, are the same quality of ingredients that serious chefs reach for. So it felt completely natural, when the opportunity arose, to explore what might happen when professional hands put them to work in the kitchen.
In collaboration with Head Tutor Chris Stewart and the talented team at the Edinburgh School of Food & Wine, three exclusive recipes were created using JustBe herbal teas as the hero ingredient. The results were tea-spectacular.
These recipes were requested so many times, that we're sharing them here in full so you can recreate the magic at home. And with any season in mind, don't forget: our herbal teas are equally wonderful served chilled over ice.
JustBe Loved Tea-Cured Salmon with Celeriac Remoulade
Cure the salmon for 72 hours in a mixture of sea salt, brown sugar, lemon zest and JustBe Loved herbal tea: the rose, hibiscus and jasmine blend gently perfuming the fish throughout the curing process, adding a floral depth that complements rather than overwhelms.
Serve with a creamy, tangy remoulade made from finely sliced celeriac, good-quality mayonnaise, wholegrain mustard and a generous squeeze of lemon juice.
The result is salmon with a colour and flavour unlike anything from a standard cure and a dish that draws genuine conversation at the table.
JustBe Energised Crème Brûlée
Infuse cream and milk together with JustBe Energised herbal tea - the cardamon pods subtly lifting note through the custard.
Combine with egg yolks and sugar in the classic ratio, strain and pour into ramekins. Bake low and slow until just set. Chill, then caramelise the sugar topping immediately before serving.
The Energised blend adds a sophisticated herbal lift to what is already a perfect dessert. Elegant, unexpected and genuinely delicious.
JustBe Happy Ice Cream
Whisk egg yolks and caster sugar until pale and thick. Heat cream and infuse generously with JustBe Happy herbal tea - the lemon balm and hibiscus bringing something bright and joyful to the base.
Strain, combine, return to the heat briefly to thicken, then churn until smooth and softly frozen.
A scoop of happiness - utterly mood-lifting.
Feeling adventurous? Try swapping in any of our other herbal tea blends to create your own twist: JustBe Kind tea with chamomile and hibiscus makes a remarkable panna cotta.
The JustBe Herbal Teas Behind the Recipes
Each of these dishes begins with a JustBe herbal tea and each one is just as wonderful when drunk simply as made. If you'd like to try any of the blends used in these recipes, they're all available in our herbal tea and gift set collection.
With botanical adventures in the kitchen and in the cup, Gail