Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from all of us at Couva Coffee Couture! 

Stay warm and cozy out there tonight while Trick-or-Treating!

Photo Credit

The Ultimate Hot Chocolate

Photo credit: Megan Gunnell

I don't know about where you are, but in the lovely city of Oxford, the days are getting shorter, there is a definite chill in the air, and woolly jumpers have become part of my daily attire. I think I'm in "Autumnal Denial", as I've been trying to ignore the fact that winter is coming. 

Photo credit: Anne Dickens

 In Oxfordshire, we've just had 2 days of grey, drizzly, mizzly, rain, leaving me feeling like hibernating for the next 6 months until Spring comes around again. 

Photo credit

Credit: Pinterest

Although the idea of months of wet, cold winter leaves me with a sinking feeling as I have to say goodbye to the warmth of the summer sun, one of the best things about autumn and winter is the chance to snuggle up indoors and revel in lots of wonderful comforting things - like hot chocolate! 

Credit: Pinterest

After picking up the little one yesterday, we were both in need of an after-school treat, so I whipped up some of my Ultimate Hot Chocolate. 
It's creamy, smooth, and totally luxurious... and I promise you it will be THE best hot chocolate you have ever tasted. 

Credit: Pinterest

You can make changes to this recipe based on what you have available in the kitchen or based on how intensely chocolatey you like your drink. But it's really so easy, that however you make it, it's going to be gooooood! 

The Ultimate Couva Hot Chocolate (makes 4 mugs)

Copyright Couva

Hot Chocolate

• 4 mugfuls of milk (we use semi-skim in our house, but you could use full-fat milk for a really indulgent treat!)
• 4 tablespoons of chocolate Ovaltine (any other chocolate milk powder would work too!)
• 1 x 100g bar of Lindt Excellence Creamy Milk Chocolate OR Lindt Excellence 85% Dark Chocolate (if you like it a bit more intensely chocolate and slightly more bitter)
  (*you can use any other kind of milk or dark chocolate that you have available, but I have to say that Lindt is my favourite!  I've also used Cadbury's, Sainsbury's brand, etc... But just make sure that they are 100% PURE chocolate without any funny additives)
• Vanilla Whipped Cream (see below)
• Marshmallows
• Chocolate shavings or more chocolate Ovaltine for sprinkling

1. Warm up the milk over medium heat until there is steam coming up from the top of the milk, but be careful that it doesn't come to a boil. 
2. Sprinkle in the Ovaltine and carefully drop in the pieces of your chocolate bar. 
3. Grab a whisk or wooden spoon and stir continuously until all of the chocolate melts. You want to try and keep the chocolate moving once you first put it into the hot milk so that it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan and burn. 
4. Remove from heat and pour into 4 mugs.
5. Garnish with a few dollops of gorgeous Vanilla Whipped Cream (see below), a few marshmallows and a sprinkle of some chocolate shavings or some chocolate Ovaltine powder. 
6. Enjoy! (and trust me - you will!!)

Vanilla Whipped Cream

• 150 ml double or whipping cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (try to use a good quality, pure vanilla if you can)
• 2 teaspoons of sugar

1. Mix together the cream, vanilla extract, and sugar. 
2. Whip on high until the cream starts to thicken. Be careful not to overwhip the cream or it will start to get clumpy, and clumpy cream just isn't nice! You want to stop whipping when you've got some soft peaks, but the cream mixture can still be easily stirred. 

This Vanilla Whipped Cream is amazing on all sorts of things - cafe latte, cappuccino, apple crumble, or even just a spoon!

*You can also use this Ultimate Hot Chocolate to make the most amazing Cafe Mocha. Simply fill your mug half-way up with the hot chocolate, and fill the rest with your favourite freshly-brewed coffee. Again, top it with some Vanilla Whipped Cream and chocolate shavings... You're going to love it! 

I'd also just like to say a few things about marshmallows. Nowadays, there are marshmallows and there are Marshmallows. You can buy your average pink and white ones from the supermarket, and they are pretty yummy. But if you are looking for a really over-the-top, decadent hot chocolate experience, may we suggest that you invest in some of the most amazing chocolate marshmallows you've ever tasted from Eat Toast Dunk Me. I promise you, they are well worth it! The heat of the rich, velvety, cream hot chocolate permeates the chocolate marshmallows, melting them ever-so slightly so that they become almost like little pillows of chocolate mousse that sit atop of the whipped cream. Seriously, all together, we are talking heaven in a mug! 

And what better way to keep your Ultimate Couva Hot Chocolate at the right temperature for longer? A Couva Cup Cover of course!! The covers make a great gift... You can get one here: www.couva.co.uk/shop.html

Imagine giving a hot chocolate gift pack to a loved one?! A mug, a Couva Cup Cover, a bar of Lindt Chocolate, some Eat Toast Dunk Me chocolate marshmallows, and the recipe for our Ultimate Hot Chocolate - it would make anyone very happy!

www.couva.co.uk

Keeps your coffee (*or hot chocolate!!) hotter for longer! 

The Big Feastival review

Over the weekend of the 29th to 31st of August, 2014 The Big Feastival descended onto Alex James' farm in the Cotswolds (you know... Alex James from the band Blur?! Swoon!). This was THE place to be for great food, terrific music, and an amazing family atmosphere.

Couva Coffee Couture had the pleasure of having a space in the "Small Producers" area, an edited collection of some of the finest products and produce that the UK has to offer.

We were surrounded by so many wonderful people and products, it was hard not to spend the whole weekend shopping!

 We had the pleasure of having some lovely neighbours for the weekend... East Court Manor are specialty sour dough bread producers. They offer bread making courses at their Manor, as well as offering bread making kits from their website. Over the weekend, there was lots of interest in their tried-and-true Sourdough Starter, as well as their bread making kits. It probably helped that they had 2 little cuties helping with their sales!

Although they weren't selling bread this weekend, a little birdie told me that they can be found at Farmer's Markets around Kent selling their gorgeous breads and famous cheese toasties! Lots of wonderful info available on their website, including some really yummy recipes - I'm personally going to give the bagels a try!

 Eat Toast Dunk Me were a firm feastival favourite... I mean, who wouldn't love a delectable hot toasted gourmet marshmallow?! With her grill at the ready, Hazel spent the weekend toasting up the most gorgeous, handmade marshmallows you've ever tasted. And did I mention the flavours?

Gooseberry fool with Elderflower, Rosewater & Cardamom, Toffee apple, Rhubard & Custard, and Chocolate (a Couva favourite!).

Seriously, when the Chocolate marshmallows were toasted, they were just to die for... Crispy, slightly charred edges, a burst of bitter cocoa on the outside, and soft, warm and gooey chocolate heaven on the inside!

And they make the perfect addition to a big mug of amazing hot chocolate.

Watch this space - recipe coming soon!

They can be found at Selfridges or on their webshop. Check them out - you won't be disappointed!

We also had the pleasure of meeting the folks at Bird & Wild coffee. This delectable brew is naturally grown under the rainforest canopy, which offers a natural haven for birds and other wildlife.

But what is so special about growing coffee under the shade of the canopy of the rainforest you ask? The key is that the coffee farms maintain a dense variety of trees which offer shelter and food for the surrounding wildlife.In terms of flavour development and the growth of the beans, the shade of the trees allow the coffee cherries to grow and ripen more slowly so that the coffee develops a more complex and distinctive flavour.  In addition, it contributes to a more sustainable ecosystem by supporting healthy soil, pollination, pest control, and water conservation.

All of their coffees are 100% organic, and are roasted in small batches to ensure that the best of the flavours really come through. And did I mention that they have received a coveted Taste Gold award?! You can buy them online here. 

We also really loved meeting the lively bunch at Propercorn, producers of some of the yummiest hand popped flavoured popcorn we've ever tasted. It comes in some really scrummy flavours: Lightly Sea Salted, Fiery Worcester Sauce & Sundried Tomato, Sour Cream & Chive, Sweet & Salty (my fave!!), and Sweet Coconut & Vanilla . I honestly think that my son ate his bodyweight in the samples of Sour Cream & Chive! (sorry about that guys!). 

Not only was their product super delicious, but you couldn't have met a more enthusiastic, lively, fun bunch of people - I think their popcorn shirts helped a little! You can find their lovely products all over the place, and check them out online.

We also were really happy to get to know Helen who was representing Fussells Fine Foods. They offer a range of delicious products based on their award-winning rapeseed oil. Salad dressings, mayonnaises, oil blends... all were so yummy!

And the lovely Hellen has a great food blog showcasing the best of the West Country: hellsbellesbites.com. Check it out - you won't be sorry! 

Aside from all of the lovely people we met and products we sampled, the Feastival was a great experience. As a complete music festival newbie, this was a complete eye opener for me. The atmosphere was really relaxed, the people were so friendly, and there was so much to see and do for people of all ages. 

There were loads of things to do to keep Feastival-goers of all ages entertained. The Little Dude's Den was great fun - lots of activities for the little ones, terrific samples of yummy new products, and a massive Lego tent. For those who were there for the food, the offerings didn't disappoint. Everywhere you looked there were amazing delicacies on offer: handmade pastas, gorgeous drinks, gourmet hotdogs, offerings from the family of Jamie Oliver restaurants... you name it, it was there! 

Although we didn't have the honour of  meeting Mr. Oliver or Mr. James in person, we did get to spot them from afar. Maybe next time they could do a walkabout to visit the "little people"?!

 The Big Feastival will definitely be on our list of things to do for next year! 

Now we need to focus on our next show - Taste of London Winter. It takes place at Tobacco Dock in London from November 20th to 23rd. Hope to see you there!

www.couva.co.uk