Friday, November 5, 2010

Best Little Tea Shop in Town

If you've been anywhere near Westboro recently, you've likely seen the influx of teal cups being toted from store to store. One of the newest additions to the Richmond Road shopping strip is David's Tea and we couldn't be happier!

So why are we talking tea all of a sudden? Well, it just so happens that the amazingly knowledgeable people across the street from us at David's Tea have a dazzling selection of loose leaf tea that left us reeling. After we stopped spinning, we got to thinking. Taking cues from our own intimate weekend tradition of taking tea with cupcakes we thought: what better partnership is there than tea and cupcakes??

It is with sizzling excitement that we present a divine partnership: tea pairings for each weekend's cupcake flavours! The good people over at David's Tea have poured over our monthly menu from The Cupcake Lounge and have provided their top picks for pairings to suit each flavour. Each Saturday you can now incorporate a little civility into your weekend by enjoying both your cupcake and a hand-picked tea that complements perfectly!

We are positively steeping with anticipation so without delay, here are the pairings for this month's cupcake menu!

November 6th
Black & White: Belgian dark chocolate cake with vanilla frosting and chocolate sprinkles.
David's Tea Recommended Pairing: Organic Strawberry White

Lemon Raspberry: Light lemon and raspberry cake with raspberry frosting and candied lemon.
David's Tea Recommended Pairing: Organic Raspberry Nectar


November 13th
Chocolate Mint: Belgian dark chocolate cake with chocolate-mint icing and a mint chocolate on top.
David's Tea Recommended Pairing: Mint Chocolate Rooibos

Southern Red Velvet: Light chocolate cake with sweet cream cheese frosting and a milk chocolate callet.
David's Tea Recommended Pairing: Forever Nuts


November 20th
Chocolate Almond: Chocolate almond cake with Belgian dark chocolate frosting decorated with a toasted almond on top.
David's Tea Recommended Pairing: Secret Weapon

Key Lime Pie: Lime-infused cake and cream cheese frosting with candied lime.
David's Tea Recommended Pairing: Lime Bang


November 27th
Chocolate Marshmallow Ganache: Belgian dark chocolate cake with creamy marshmallow and iced with chocolate ganache.
David's Tea Recommended Pairing: Quangzhou Milk Oolong

Peanut Butter Banana Cinnamon: Peanut butter and banana cake with cinnamon-sugar frosting.
David's Tea Recommended Pairing: Spicy Chocolate Rooibos

Keep up with all of the pairings on our official Candy Store Twitter feed - we wouldn't want you to miss a thing!

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Wednesday, November 3, 2010

All's fair in love and chocolate

If dark chocolate could win Oscars, Olivia Chocolat would win hands down in all categories with maple flakes coming in as best supporting flavour. Honourable mention to almonds as well but don't worry, it's all friendly competition between these succulent, dark chocolate bars which we are so proud to have back in stock at The Candy Store.

Olivia Chocolat seems to have it all starting with, but not limited to, making a high percentage dark chocolate that is surprisingly not bitter. Varieties include 85%, 76%, Touch of Maple, Almond, and Touch of Maple with maple flakes. Can you say ambrosia? Their new raw collection which consists of non-roasted beans is also heavenly and really profiles the inherent flavour qualities of the beans. The Raw Line comes in 85%, 76%, and Almond. It can't get much better than this! Oh wait, of course it can. It's also vegan friendly and available at a lower price than ever before!

As well as being made locally, the company is deeply devoted to environmental
sustainability. The chocolatiers are committed to their zero carbon footprint goal by using hydro-generated electricity from the Gatineau River to roast, produce and finish the bars - a process which has been dubbed bean to bar in the industry (for more about Olivia and their beans, check out our previous post about this amazing company). Even the packaging is from a sustainable and certified source which meets the requirements of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Program.

If we haven't given you enough reasons to try Olivia Chocolat, hold on to your socks because here's another: a higher cocoa content means maximized health benefits. Hooray for anti-oxidants! Let's celebrate by eating some, or lots! Ok, ok, moderation is important but this is truly a guilt-free, healthy pleasure that you can indulge in. Go for it, we dare you.

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Monday, November 1, 2010

November Cupcake Menu

Happy first day of November! We realise that everyone might be just a little bit sugared out after this past Halloween weekend, but we have a sneaking feeling that come the 6th, a little cupcake might be in order! Here is this month's cupcake menu - just try to resist!

As always, cupcakes arrive at 11:00 am on Saturdays and, as always, pre-orders are encouraged to avoid disappointment. You can pre-order in person or by phone or by sending us an email. It's just that simple!

And did you know that if you're looking for cupcakes that aren't on the menu, special pre-orders are available in another flavour of your choice?? (minimum one dozen per flavour - advance notice required)The Cupcake Lounge has a full menu you can peruse for jaw-dropping goodness.


November 6th
Black & White: Belgian dark chocolate cake with vanilla frosting and chocolate sprinkles.
Lemon Raspberry: Light lemon and raspberry cake with raspberry frosting and candied lemon.

November 13th
Chocolate Mint: Belgian dark chocolate cake with chocolate-mint icing and a mint chocolate on top.
Southern Red Velvet: Light chocolate cake with sweet cream cheese frosting and a milk chocolate callet.

November 20th
Chocolate Almond: Chocolate almond cake with Belgian dark chocolate frosting decorated with a toasted almond on top.
Key Lime Pie: Lime-infused cake and cream cheese frosting with candied lime.

November 27th
Chocolate Marshmallow Ganache: Belgian dark chocolate cake with creamy marshmallow and iced with chocolate ganache.
Peanut Butter Banana Cinnamon: Peanut butter and banana cake with cinnamon-sugar frosting.

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