New Delhi: Tea, tea, tea! Most people can't get enough of this soothing brew. On May 21st, International Tea Day celebrates the cultural and economic significance of tea around the world, emphasizing how much joy and comfort this beverage can bring. Booking.com commemorates the occasion by compiling a list of five tea-themed destinations from around the world. With 44 percent of Indian travellers eager to try the best places for food and drink on their next trip, International Tea Day is the ideal excuse to visit historic and scenic locations. Tea is a global phenomenon, and every country, from Argentina to Malaysia, has its own way of drinking it. Discover the exciting destinations behind the drinks, from the rich flavourful tea leaves of Darjeeling to the vibrant mint leaves of Morocco.Darjeeling, IndiaThe West Bengal district of Darjeeling is known for its abundance of tea gardens, with over 80 stretching across acres of land. The emerald-green Darjeeling Tea Garden, located in the foothills of the mountains, produces tea with such an intense aroma and spicy flavour that it's often referred to as the 'champagne of teas.' When not admiring the majestic Khangchendzonga, the world's third highest peak, visitors can visit Buddhist monasteries and ride the 140-year-old Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.Where to stay: The blissful hill resort Mayfair Darjeeling, with spectacular views overlooking the valley, is a tranquil spot with easy access to the Darjeeling Tea Garden. Classic Indian rooms exude old world charm and elegance with carved wooden furnishings and colourful prints. The hotel features a spa, state-of-the-art gym, pool and tea boutique. Wake up to birdsong and spend the day exploring the stunning tea gardens.Harrogate, United KingdomEnglish breakfast tea is a British tradition that has evolved over time to include a variety of brews such as decaf and gold standard. Harrogate is home to one of the UK's most popular Yorkshire tea brands, which blends tea leaves from Assam and East Africa to create unique, flavorful combinations. Visit York and enjoy a delightful Afternoon Tea Boat Cruise along the picturesque River Ouse, where visitors will learn about the city's mediaeval history. York Minster, one of the world's largest and most beautiful Gothic cathedrals, is a must-see.Where to stay:&nbsp;The Chapel Boutique Bed and Breakfast, situated in the heart of the town, is ideally located near local sites including the Harrogate Turkish Baths, Royal Hall Theatre and Royal Pump Room Museum as well as the famous Bettys Caf� Tea Rooms, serving delicious afternoon teas in Harrogate since 1919. The unique grade II listed chapel conversion boasts luxe rooms with an eccentric and eclectic mix of styles. Following a day of sightseeing and tea tasting, relax on the large balcony overlooking the lush gardens.Meknes, MoroccoMorocco's favourite beverage is refreshing mint tea. Various blends are produced throughout the country, but the vibrant mint leaves from the picturesque hilltop city of Meknes are said to be the best. A UNESCO-listed ancient medina, meander around the old town to find everything from specialist souks selling beautiful crafts and textiles to teahouses in hidden courtyards and even the occasional donkey strolling around.Where to stay:&nbsp;Stay in the heart of Meknes at the impressive Riad Mama H&amp;K. Traditionally decorated with the authentic architecture of Morocco including hand-carved wood and geometric tiles, the hotel also features a pretty outdoor terrace. Discover local dishes from tangines to seafood in all their richness and variety at the on-site restaurant or relax by the fireplace with a soothing mint tea.Misiones, ArgentinaThe herbal tea Yerba Mate is Argentina's national drink, and is enjoyed for its energy-boosting qualities. It is said to have the strength of coffee, the health benefits of tea, and the joy of chocolate. The leaves are grown in the lush rainforests of Misiones, a northeastern province known for its red earth and papaya fields. The Iguaz National Park is located in Misiones and is home to the magical Iguaz Falls, the world's largest waterfall, where visitors can see bright-billed toucans and colourful butterflies.Where to stay:&nbsp;Self-catering bungalows Cabanas Doralia in the city of Obera feature a well-equipped kitchen, BBQ terrace, outdoor pool and exquisite garden views. The comfortable accommodation is located near La Ruta Del Te, an Argentinian tea house where travellers can learn from fourth generation tea producers and try Yerba Mate sweetened with agave and served with pastries for an afternoon treat.Cameron Highlands, MalaysiaThe Cameron Highlands, steeped in rich tea-making traditions, is famous for its impressive emerald tea estates and breathtaking mountain views. The Bharat Tea Estate is home to some of the world's most popular tea brands, including Cameroon Valley, which draws flavour inspiration from Sri Lanka and South India. Visitors can quench their thirst with a special high tea at the estate's Tea House before exploring the lush hilly terrain with moss-covered trees, rich wildlife, and exotic plants.Where to stay:&nbsp;Located a short drive away from the Bharat Tea Estate is Heahtitude, a kitsch vintage guest house with modern amenities. Visitors can enjoy activities around the Cameron Highlands, including hiking and cycling in the Mossy Forest, where Rafflesia, the biggest flowers in the world, can be found. Between trekking and tea culture, it's easy to unwind in the evenings on the beautiful riverside terrace.—IANS

Tea, tea, tea! Most people can't get enough of this soothing brew. On May 21st, International Tea Day celebrates the cultural and economic significance of tea around the world, emphasizing how much joy and comfort this beverage can bring.

Five destinations to celebrate International Tea Day

Food & Drinks

New Delhi: We have always heard "Eat Breakfast like a King" but in today's rushed world everyone's meal timings are scattered, sleep is erratic and they want to look a certain way, cutting calories is affecting their breakfast intake every day!Breakfast is an important meal because you are literally breaking your fast (8-10 hours minimum) and to get started with the day, your body needs the right fuel.Eating a balanced breakfast is important as it kick-starts your metabolism, your blood glucose metabolism is much better throughout the day, and it boosts your energy levels and also helps you make better meal choices throughout the day. Breakfast is also given a lot of importance in Ayurveda as that is the time our body's 'pitta' (fire or metabolism) is at its peak.Sahiba Bhardwaj, a Nutritionist &amp; Nutrition Educator helps us look at some common breakfast mistakes that could hamper our metabolism.Skipping Breakfast:&nbsp;Eating late at night or trying a new diet, cutting calories or maybe you simply don't have the time to eat breakfast. This is the biggest mistake you can make as it will not only dampen your metabolism but also increase your chances of developing health problems like high blood cholesterol, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. But a balanced breakfast can lower those risks and fuel you for the rest of the day.Bite-Sized Breakfast:&nbsp;Eating just a fruit or a small bite-sized breakfast will leave you hungry and affect your mental focus. Not eating sufficient calories during the day may leave you munching on unhealthy energy-dense snacks later in the day and may lead to weight gain. However, eating a good filling breakfast fires up your metabolism and helps you burn calories throughout the day.Speedy Eating:&nbsp;Sit and eat. We have always heard that but we tend to ignore it. Always in a rush, we tend to eat fast and take large bites of our food. This as per some studies increases the odds of obesity as it may lead to overeating. Also, as per Ayurveda, when you sit and eat your food, chewing it properly, it improves digestion and absorption of nutrients. So slow down, and savour each bite of your breakfast.Going low on Protein:&nbsp;A protein-packed breakfast has more benefits than just feeding your muscles. Protein takes longer to break down in the body and hence keeps you full for longer. So make sure your Breakfast has good quality protein that is paired with complex carbohydrates and good fats. Eggs, smoked salmon, nut butter, yoghurt, and paneer are all good protein options. Stay clear of processed meat (sausages, salamis, seeks, bacon etc.)Saying No to Carbs:&nbsp;Another grave mistake is leaving out carbohydrates completely. You don't have to say no to them, just choose wisely. Include Complex Carbs that are slow energy releasing and don't spike your blood glucose levels and give you energy through the day. Some good ones are steel-cut oats, upma, poha, sandwiches, cheelas with veggies are some options. Avoid loading up on Simple carbs (fruit juices, waffles, pancakes) on a daily basis as they can lead to a sudden dip in energy levels mid-morningDon't fear fats and include healthy fats in your breakfast in small portions with your proteins and carbs. Adding avocado or a tablespoon of nut butter to your toast, adding nuts &amp; seeds to your cereal or smoothies, and cooking cheelas in desi ghee are good ways of adding healthy fats. Unsaturated fats and the Omega-3 fatty acids from nuts &amp; flax seeds are good for the heart too—IANS

We have always heard "Eat Breakfast like a King" but in today's rushed world everyone's meal timings are scattered, sleep is erratic and they want to look a certain way, cutting calories is affecting their breakfast intake every day!

Breakfast mistakes you should avoid

Summers always bring back fond memories of holidays at my parents's hometowns of Palakkad and Coimbatore.In our childhood, when refrigerators and television sets were a luxury, we relished eating Kerala Moovandan mangoes from the orchards or gorging on sweet ice apples and fresh coconut&nbsp;malai&nbsp;on hot summer afternoons.In April and May, if you visit any home in Kerala, chances are you will be offered a glass of&nbsp;Moru Sambaram&nbsp;or spiced buttermilk, which all of us cousins gulped down greedily and smacked our lips wanting more.Unlike&nbsp;chaas, a variety of buttermilk more popular in several parts of India, my recipe for Moru Sambaram or Morum Vellam is spiced with salt, crushed curry leaves, green chillies, cumin and ginger.It is refrigerated or stored in a&nbsp;matka&nbsp;(an earthen pot) for a few hours before serving to get a more flavourful drink.Moru SambaramServes: 4Ingredients<ul><li>500 gm thick yoghurt or curd (please click here for recipe to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rediff.com/getahead/report/food-recipe-see-how-to-make-dahi-at-home/20200506.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(71, 123, 196);">make curd at home</a>)</li><li>3 cups chilled boiled/mineral/filtered water</li><li>2 tsp salt or as required</li><li>1 green chilly, roughly chopped</li><li>10-15 curry leaves, roughly chopped</li><li>1 inch piece ginger, peeled and cut into thin strips</li><li>1 tsp cumin seeds, optional</li></ul>Method<ul><li>Whisk the curd till it is smooth and there are no lumps.</li><li>Add the water and mix well.</li><li>Using a mortar and pestle, gently crush the cumin, chilly, curry leaves and ginger.</li><li>If you don't own a mortar and pestle, you may grind the ingredients.</li><li>But be careful not to make it a fine paste.</li><li>Add this to the curd mixture.</li><li>Add ½ a tsp of salt, or as required, and mix well.</li><li>Store in an earthen pot -- use a traditional method for best results -- or refrigerate for 20-30 minutes before serving.</li></ul>Note: Instead of curry leaves, my father would sometimes add crushed lemon grass or lemon leaves for a distinct flavour.You may also add a little lemon juice or chopped green mango.Vegan buttermilk can be made using vegan yoghurt, available from several brands. For Jain buttermilk swap the fresh ginger for ginger powder.

Summers always bring back fond memories of holidays at my parents's hometowns of Palakkad and Coimbatore.

Recipe: Chilled Kerala Buttermilk or Moru Sambaram

New Delhi : Aromatic and diverse cuisine from Andhra Pradesh will take centre stage at Seasonal Tastes, the award-winning international cuisine all-day diner at The Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi, from May 4-14, 2022. Guests are invited to be immersed in a culinary adventure of authentic Andhra cuisine at the 10-day long festival “Aromas of Andhra” which promises to bring alive the complexity of flavours inspired by the land of Kohinoor.Savour an array of exquisite flavours expertly created by the team of culinarians at the hotel along with guest chef Raghavender Sirisala, who has flown in from Andhra Pradesh, for the festival. Rich in diverse gastronomic history, Andhra cuisine is as diverse as its people, spread in varied topological regions; known for tangy, hot flavours with a spicy edge. The food is known for the use of strong spices like Guntur, which is a fiery red chilli used in most preparations of this cuisine.Chef Anurudh Khanna, Multi-Property Executive Chef for The Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi, and The Westin Sohna Resort and Spa, said, “Every cuisine has something unique to offer, and when it comes to carving out the culinary heritage of Andhra cuisine, it is no less than a treasure trove of an amazing amalgamation of simple spices, rice, jaggery and herbs.”The traditional non-vegetarian signature dishes at the festival will include Gongura Mamsam (Gongura Mutton), Kodi Vepudu (Chicken Fry), and Royyala Vepudu (Prawn Fry), Nelloru Chapala Pulusu (Tangy Fish Curry) and much more. Vegetarians can feast on delicacies such as Mokkajonna Gaarelu (Corn Fritters), Guttu Vankaya (Stuffed Brinjal), Berakaya Jedi Pappu Kura (Ridgegourd and Cashewnut Curry) accompanied by Bangala Dumpa Vepudu (Potato Stir fry), Tamata Pappu (Tomato Dal) and Nimmakaya Annam (Lemon Rice). End the meal on a sweet note with traditional desserts like Boorelu (Lentil Jaggery Stuffed Dumplings) and Semiya Payasam (Vermicelli Kheer)The Andhra food festival offerings can be enjoyed as part of the buffet at Seasonal Tastes daily for lunch from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. and dinner from 7 to 11:30 p.m—IANS

Aromatic and diverse cuisine from Andhra Pradesh will take centre stage at Seasonal Tastes, the award-winning international cuisine all-day diner at The Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi, from May 4-14, 2022. Guests are invited to be immersed in a culinary adventure of authentic Andhra cuisine at the 10-day long festival “Aromas of Andhra” which promises to bring alive the complexity of flavours inspired by the land of Kohinoor.

Aromas of Andhra

London: People who have a critical attitude toward factory farming or who pay attention to their health in everyday life are more likely to turn to meat substitutes, finds a study. Concern for the environment, on the other hand, appears to play no role in this decision, according to the study published in the Food Quality and Preference.Meat substitutes are on the rise. While it used to have a niche existence in health food stores or organic stores, wheat salami, tofu schnitzel or soy mince can now be found in every well-stocked supermarket."We wanted to know why consumers choose these alternatives," said Jeanette Klink-Lehmann, doctoral student at the Institute of Food and Resource Economics at the University of Bonn in Germany. The team surveyed 441 men and women from Germany and found a greater concern for the environment was not associated with a better rating of meat substitutes, nor with a greater intention to buy them."We had expected that ecological aspects would also play a role in the intention to consume meat alternatives," Marcus explained. "However, that has not been confirmed."Animal welfare concerns played a major role in the respondents' consumption decisions: those who view factory farming critically, have a more positive attitude toward plant-based sausages and veggie burgers on average. This attitude, in turn, has a beneficial effect on the intention to use these alternatives in the future.A pronounced health consciousness is also associated with a greater willingness to consume meat substitutes. Furthermore, the attitudes of friends and close relatives toward meat substitutes has a significant influence on this decision. The team recommends better communication of the ecological advantages of meat alternatives. In addition, the industry should pay attention to a healthy and balanced composition in the manufacture of its products. Moreover, where animal-based foods such as eggs are used in meat substitutes, they should come from farms that pay attention to good animal husbandry.&nbsp;—IANS

 People who have a critical attitude toward factory farming or who pay attention to their health in everyday life are more likely to turn to meat substitutes, finds a study. Concern for the environment, on the other hand, appears to play no role in this decision, according to the study published in the Food Quality and Preference.