March 20th, 2015
Happy 2nd Year Anniversary!! When The Spice & Tea Exchange opened in Downtown Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, at 10 Rehoboth Avenue, this was going to be the first franchise opened in our small state. Great location, ocean block!! Since then, I have seen visitors and locals, like myself, stop and shop in a store that for those that like to cook is a must stop shop. Tel. 302-227-3327. Website? http://www.spiceandtea.com/rehoboth. They open every day, but at this time of the year, they close on Wednesdays.
This winter they started the Taste & Learn Series with demonstrations by local chefs. Only two more of those series are left. Taking place on Mondays….March 30th with Chef Betty Burleigh of Dinner is Served, and April 20th with Chef Hari Cameron of a(MUSE). Starter, entree, and dessert!! $35/person or $60/couple 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Call them up and make a reservation!
Cooking should be from the heart; it should not be rushed. The right amount of spice adding flavor to the recipes should be such that it will not overpower your creation. Your meal should not be ordinary, or boring….it should be extraordinary. And, when my brother gets his birthday present next week he will be getting tons of spices, salts, sugars and rubs… he will be spicing things up in Florida!! He loves to cook!!
Love their rice too. Different and eye catching.
I am not a hot tea drinker but they do have an excellent variety of loose teas for those that love a hot cup of tea….like my friend, Debbie.
I first stepped into The Spice & Tea Exchange on Mizner Park in Boca Raton, Florida. I was impressed then. Happy to have it in Rehoboth Beach….just visited one in Charleston, South Carolina. Even though it is a franchise, each has their own individuality. The staff is friendly and very helpful. They blend spices and herbs to customize. They are very knowledgeable of the products they sell. The Black Lava salt is so different. They told me that is a good finisher salt. Great on steaks. It contains sea salt and activated charcoal. The salt is dried in lava beds. On the second photo you can see it on the top shelf.
In ancient times salt was valuable. Roman soldiers were paid in salt. The payments were called “salarium”. Salt was and still is a preservative.
The Himalayan Salt Stones intrigue me. I have never cooked with them, but always look at them when shopping at their store. They can be heated, or chilled to any extreme temperature. Wash it after each use; not need for detergent. Awesome conversation piece for a party.
My “Pilon” is what is known as a mortar. I come from Puerto Rico and the pilon used for almost everything is made out of wood. But, apparently there is a difference…if you use a marble one, that’s very good for crushing whole spices. The one made out of wood, like I use, is mainly for crushing sauces…garlic too, well, that’s what I do. The ceramic one is mostly used in Europe. Perfect for crushing fresh spices. The Mexican favorite is the molcajete….avocados!!
I found out the website has recipes that look pretty good. Please visit http://www.spiceandtea.com/recipes-c-54.html.
So, as you stroll, and enjoy your time in Downtown Rehoboth Beach…..stop by and say hello.
March 25th, 2010
Once again, I will have to repeat that some say passion is your key to success and others say that if you love what you do then you will never work a day in your life.
It was late in the afternoon, and you know how pretty it was. I felt like I wanted a cup of coffee. Since I was near Lewes I ventured into Notting Hill, which is a coffee roastery. But it is more than a coffee shoppe, read on…
Nobody was in the shoppe when I came in and it was around 4:15 p.m. They were closing at 5 p.m.
In a few of my past posts I have mentioned the winning dispositions of some business owners. You know from the moment they look at you that they are friendly; a smile says it all. And, that is just what happened when I met Amy Felker who is the owner and roaster of Notting Hill. I only met her briefly but that is all it took.
She has been known to say “Most people don’t like what they do, but I love what I do”. That is her passion!
Notting Hill is located in the center of Lewes, Delaware, right on 124 Second Street. Tel. toll free 888-99-Latte or 302-645-0733. Website is www.nottinghillcoffee.com. E-mail address is amy@nottinghillcoffee.com.
Notting Hill started with a partnership but since 2003 she has been the sole owner and roaster.
She roasts herself every single bean. You know, coffee roasting is a chemical process by which flavor components are either created, balanced, or altered in a way that augments the flavor, acidity, aftertaste and body of the coffee.
A lot of Amy’s flavors and all of her blends are owned by her; they are unique and you will not find them anywhere else.
So, after Amy roasts her beans then they are bagged. All bags are stamped by her and her staff. Notting Hill distributes wholesale, as well. Amy can make thousands of different beverages at the shop and more than 135 different types of coffee are on the shelf. She really runs the day to day operation of the shoppe.
Depending on the year, she can sell 25,000-40,000 lbs. of coffee.
Coffee has been enjoyed for hundreds of years. Business and coffee go hand in hand. It is a favorite around the world and has been for a long time regardless of how or where it is served.
That tiny bean is responsible for the employment of thousands of people.
Notting Hill is a very warm and cozy coffee shop. But there are so many other delectables sold here. You should know that just like the coffees, all baked goods and soups and sandwiches are baked or cooked in the shoppe.
The shoppe opens at 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. During the summer season there will be extended hours.
Some customers come for specific baked goods like the Blueberry Puffing Muffin, which is like a blueberry muffin inside a pastry. Just check the picture yourself.
Another favorite is the Ooey Gooey which is a long twisted cinnamon pastry with cinnamon and sugar. I did not see one, but I can see it being similar to a Spanish churro, if you have ever had one, except this one is twisted.
You can find cookies, muffins, scones; everything that goes well with coffee. But, coffee is not the only beverage served here; there are smoothies and blended iced teas, as well.
There is a great assortment for the tea drinker. Loose teas to be bought to take home or just to be enjoyed sitting in one of the tables inside the shoppe, while you read one of the newspapers available for the customers.
On the Board you will find an Espresso Menu, as well as a Menu consisting of the daily offerings. Another small board will announce the Organic Java of the Day. And a third board will be a Cocoa Menu with all kinds of cocoa drinks, even sugar free ones.
The whole time I was there, Linda, who also works at Notting Hill was busy getting ready to close for the day, but customers started to come in and she graciously took care of them.
As I was sitting sipping my coffe I started to remember the Puerto Rican coffee that was always so well known, and all the coffee plantations around the island, now Paradores or Inns. Some of the coffees from Puerto Rico are Cafe Yaucono, Cafe Crema, Cafe Rico, Cafe Pilon, Yauco Selecto and Cafe Alto Grande. Puerto Rican coffee is rich and full-bodied.
A few things worth mentioning are: Some of the coffees available at Notting Hill are bird friendly, Smithsonian certified and Rainforest Alliance certified.
You should really visit the website above mentioned. You can place orders, check what they have besides coffee and most of all get a sense of what Amy is all about.
If you are visiting our Delaware Beaches check this shoppe out. Their new omelette in a muffin will be making its debut soon.
As Notting Hill gets into the month of April they are so excited since April 30th will be their 20th anniversary. Congratulations!!
That’s all for tonight…See you and talk to you later….
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