Issue 002 Jan 2022
Sweet talk
Spring Special
Letter from Farhi HQ Welcome to the third issue of Sweet Talk. Our last issue brought you everything you needed for Valentine’s Day from luxury gifting to sweet surprises and in issue three we’re continuing to celebrate love with Mother’s Day. As spring finally unfurls and we bid goodbye to winter and say hello to warm, sunnier days, it’s time start thinking about what lies ahead, starting with Mother’s Day. This year, Mothering Sunday as it is also known falls on Sunday 27th March and not long after we celebrate the special women in our lives, comes Easter. In this new issue of Sweet Talk, we explore the history behind Mother’s Day as well as the fascinating traditions from around the world. Looking for the perfect present to say thank you? We’ve also rounded up the ultimate in luxury gifting ideas to celebrate the special woman in your life. Whether she’s a mother, mother-in-law, grandma or mother figure - what better
way to surprise her than with a luxury sweet gift from Rita Farhi? Along with the arrival of Spring, not long after Mother’s Day comes the long Easter weekend, starting with Good Friday on April 15th. Whether you’re hosting a luxury Easter Egg hunt or looking for chocolate Easter alternatives, here at Rita Farhi we have everything you need to celebrate the holiday in style, from delicious sugar coated speckled eggs to cute vegan jelly carrot sweets. You can explore our full Easter range on pages 10-11. In every issue of Sweet Talk, we bring you a delicious recipe to wow the taste buds of family and friends. If you’re planning to mark the occasion of Easter Sunday with a family lunch, why not finish your meal with our sumptuous Lemon Drizzle cake, topped with Rita Farhi chocolate dipped orange slices for a truly decadent dessert?
You’ll find the full recipe on page 12. Don’t forget, you can stay up to date with all of the latest news and gifting ideas plus exclusive discounts and competitions from Rita Farhi on our social media platforms. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @RitaFarhiUK. Plus, you have until March 15th to sign up to our newsletter for a chance to win a luxury Rita Farhi gift hamper worth £100 – head to our homepage for more details. Join us again in April for Issue Four of Sweet Talk, our Ramadan and Eid special Until then, stay sweet!
The Rita Farhi Story Rita Farhi is a family business selling luxury chocolate covered fruits and nuts. Tracing their roots to Turkey and the wider Mediterranean, Farhi is named after their beloved family matriarch, Rita. Steeped in heritage, Farhi fuses traditional recipes with modern techniques, to create luxurious, exquisite, food items that are beautifully presented and ready to gift. With an importance placed on ingredients provenance, Farhi’s chocolate covered fruits and nuts use produce from all over the world. From hand-picked Bolivian Brazil nuts to juicy Spanish oranges, and plump Chilean raisins to sun-kissed Californian almonds, all of which are then dipped or enrobed in rich Belgian chocolate for sweet treats that are carefully and lovingly crafted, so that you can enjoy and gift luxury in every box.
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Whatever the occasion, let the magic of Rita Farhi enhance your celebration.
Letter from Farhi HQ.............................................................. 2
Let’s celebrate Mother’s Day................................................ 4-5 Mother’s Day Gift Guide....................................................... 6-7 Why do we eat chcocolate on Easter.................................. 8-9 Focus on... Easter at Rita Farhi........................................... 10-11 Lemon Drizzle Cake Recipe............................................. 12-13 Dates for your Diary................................................................ 14 National Tea Day...................................................................... 15 Next Issue....................................................................................17
Let’s celebrate Mother’s Day
Mothering Sunday this year falls on the 27th of March. It is a day to celebrate the mother figure in your life - mothers, mothers-in-law and grandmothers for all that they do, one of the most thankless jobs there is. The date for Mother’s Day (in the UK) is not fixed as it always falls on the fourth sunday of Lent, meaning there is always slight differentiation in date. The day is about honouring mothers and others in caring roles - there are many ways to celebrate this important day. Some people give gifts and cards to their mothers on this day and while, of course, we should always be grateful and thankful to parents, this day is a specific dedication. It is a good time to pause, take stock and remind ourselves of the one of the hardest and least recognised roles in the world. So how can you celebrate Mother’s Day in style and does everyone in the world celebrate Mother’s Day? We’re pleased you asked. There are lots of great ways to show your mother or grandmother that you
care. A thoughtful card is always a lovely sentiment, creating a card with photographs of you and your mother or grandmother on would be particularly cherished. If you have small children, perhaps creating something from them to their grandmother is a fun way of highlighting the importance of having plenty of female role models around for your children too. There is of course the option to purchase a gift. Some like to give sweet treats such as chocolate as a Mother’s Day gift, it’s a small and simple token of appreciation and who doesn’t like to receive chocolate?! Flowers are also a popular choice for Mother’s Day and if you’re far away from home on the celebratory occasion, getting flowers delivered is an amazing way of showing someone you care from a distance. Remember, gift buying should feel personal and if the person you’re purchasing for is a great reader or loves to garden, do not feel you have to buy a traditional Mother’s Day gift.
Purchase what you think will be loved and appreciated. But, of course, it isn’t all about commercialisation and buying presents. Spending time together is often all mothers really want with their children and grandchildren. Why not arrange an afternoon tea, a day out or dinner in a nice restaurant and treat your mum as a way of spending time together where no one has to do the washing up? While the day is called Mother’s Day, it’s also an amazing day to honour other strong female role models in your life. If you have an aunt, a step parent or a close family friend that is particularly important to you or has often played a mother figure role, use this day as a way of showing them how much you care.
Mother’s Day traditions from around the world Mother’s Day is celebrated internationally but each country has its own unique take.
1
USA
In the USA, Mother’s Day is actually celebrated on the 8th of May. But while they celebrate on a different day, their celebratory style is very much like ours. Spending time together and gift and card giving is top of the list.
2
India
Hosts a 10 day festival for mothers every October. Known as Durga Puja, it dates back to the sixteenth century and is in honour of the Hindu Goddess Gurga. Both a religious and family affair, people visit their mother’s and those of their friends and bring home cooked food to share together.
3
Japan
Originally used as a comforting holiday for those mothers who had lost a child in the Second World War, it is now a celebration of the endurance of motherhood. White carnations are the gift to give. (May 8th)
4
Ethiopia
Mother’s Day is part of the Antrosht festival which comes at the end of rain season. The festival is dedicated to mothers and all family members come together to celebrate. There is a large meal, in which the daughters are expected to bring the cheese and vegetables and the sons provide the meat. The food is prepared together, creating a meat hash. Entertainment includes singing and dancing and creating performances that celebrate the history of the family, highlighting heroes within their heritage. (May 8th)
5
France
After World War One, France began giving medals to mothers of large families. This was to essentially thank them for their service as it was felt that they were helping to rebuild some of the lives lost during the war. After the end of World War Two, Mother’s Day was officially moved to the last Sunday in May and now traditionally children gift a flower shaped cake.
6
Brazil
The second most commercial holiday in the country (first is Christmas), Mother’s Day in Brazil is celebrated on the second Sunday in May and called Dia das Mães. Popular activities include church services, barbecues and special children’s performances.
Mother’s Day Gift Guide
CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN, Coolito Donna flat lam laine bouclette, £595.00, Selfridges
LA MER, Moisturising cream 60ml, £245, Selfridges
Vegan Jelly Hearts Gift Bag, £10.00, Rita Farhi
Deux fleur perfume bottle, £300, Lalique
Rose prick satin matte lip colour, £44, Tom Ford
Pink silk pyjamas, £260, Yolke
Milk & White Belgian Chocolate Fruit Ganache Filled Hearts Selection Luxury Gift Box, £35.00, Rita Farhi
Yellow gold love bracelet, £5800, Cartier
Ladybird Milk Chocolate Pralines Gift Tin, £10.00, Rita Farhi
Darley Wallet, Mulberry Pink Heavy Grain, £325, Mulberry
Alta Capture Charm Necklace, £575, Monica Vinader
J12 Diamond Bezel 38mm watch, £12000, Chanel Ianthe Scented Candle 300g, £48.00, Liberty
Why do we eat chocolate on Easter? (and other fun Easter celebrations you might not know)
Easter marks the start of Spring and the festival itself is filled with plenty of ancient traditions. From January onwards, you’ll probably have seen the first signs of Easter sneaking onto supermarket shelves. Colourful arrays of foiled Easter eggs and cute bunnies adding a little ray of sunshine in the gloomy winter months, but why do we eat chocolate at Easter? And who is the Easter bunny? Marking the end of Lent, Easter is the culmination of a six week period observed by Christians. Traditionally Lent was six weeks of abstention from all animal products, which included dairy and eggs. In modern times, people have taken Lent upon themselves and abstained from eating sweets and chocolates over the six week period, making this an accessible way for all ages to be involved in Lent. Some people opt for another food or food group that is meaningful to them instead for Lent. Many years ago when people observed
Lent by giving up animal products, their chickens would continue to lay eggs during that time and because eggs were not consumed during Lent, people would decorate the eggs and keep them for Easter, giving way to the tradition for elaborate egg designs and egg decorating as a part of Easter traditions. Eggs are also ancient symbol of life, birth and fertility as well as the coming of Spring as a season. As such, it was then adopted by many across the world of all different backgrounds and countries as a way of representing life. The Easter Bunny is symbolic of reproductive prowess. Easter, of course, marks Jesus’ resurrection and the hard shell of an egg is said to reflect the tomb in which Jesus was buried. The idea of chicks appearing and cracking through the hard shell is also meant to be symbolic of Jesus who beat death to be resurrected on Easter. Eggs have always been an important part of the Easter celebrations (both the chocolate and chicken laid variety). For
poorer people, during the time of lent, abstaining from egg consumption was very difficult, so come Easter, there was much merriment as Lent came to an end. Eggs were a key gift over this time and were given to the church as offerings on Good Friday and often to the Lord of Manor at Easter. But the joy isn’t just in the giving and receiving of eggs. The Easter egg hunt has become a key fixture for many of those that celebrate. But where does the tradition of Easter egg hunts come from? This fun idea comes from Germany and actually harks back to the late 16th Century. A man called Martin Luther who was a Protestant Reformer organised an egg hunt for the members of his congregation as a way of marking the end of Lent. It was tradition for the men to hide the eggs and the women and children to find them as it was the women who discovered Jesus’ empty tomb at the time of the resurrection. And it seems that the Germans were big on creating
Easter traditions from around the world Easter is a religious festival but the celebrations for this important day are marked differently all over the world.
1
UK
Aside from Church services, Easter in the UK is a wonderful holiday where families can get together to create memories. Traditional foods include Easter eggs, hot cross buns and a traditional Sunday roast lamb, to mark the start of spring. Other traditions include decorating eggs, Easter egg hunts, bonnet decorating and parades, as well as giving flowers such as daffodils, again marking out the start of a new season.
2
Haux, France
This is truly an eggscellent tradition (sorry, we couldn’t help it), using over 4,500 eggs, the residents of Haux in France, celebrate Easter by making a giant omlette on Easter Monday that serves around 1000 people. Easter traditions, with the creation of the Easter bunny, or the Easter Hare as he is originally thought of, also originating in Germany in 1682. Again, these were all symbols of fertility and the start of Spring. But how did the tradition of the Easter egg hunt spread across Europe? Well we can’t say for sure, but it seems Queen Victoria was a big fan of the activity. Referencing it in her journals in the late 1800s. With a German-born mother, the Duchess of Kent, it is likely that Queen Victoria’s mother brought this tradition with her. With Queen Victoria noting that ‘Mama did some pretty painted & ornamented eggs, & we looked for them’. in her journal in 1833, when she was 14 years old. Egg decorating and hunting has continued to be a tradition throughout Europe and something much loved in the UK too. But who created the chocolate Easter egg? This delightful spring treat appeared in the early 19th century, with France and Germany leading the way. But it was Fry’s in 1873 who made the first UK chocolate Easter egg and it’s fair to say, we’ve never looked back. Nowadays, there are many chocolate Easter eggs available with plenty of fillings or hollow, but even when purchasing your favourite brand, you might notice that the chocolate doesn’t taste entirely the same. This is because for the most part, the chocolate used has to be thinner to create a moulded egg shape, the finer layer of chocolate is utterly delicious and something to savour in every bite.
Chocolate eggs aren’t the only Easter delicacy though. Hot cross buns are traditionally eaten on Easter Friday as another signifier that the period of Lent is at an end. The cross on top of the bun is thought to represent the crucifixion of Jesus, while some believe that the spice blend used in the bun encapsulates Jesus’ embalming after crucifixion. The exact date that hot cross buns entered as an Easter tradition is highly disputed. But they remain a popular festive treat (and we aren’t surprised).
3
Sweden
You might be forgiven for thinking that Sweden’s Easter traditions are reminiscnet of Halloween. Children dress up in old clothes and as witches and exchange their artwork for candy.
4
Northwestern Europe
While the tradition of lighting bonfires started as a symbolic way of shooing away the winter, in Northwestern Europe the Easter bombfire lighting is now a way of bringing people together.
5
Bermuda
Good Friday for those in Bermuda begins with a kite festival. The weekend is also packed full of delicious food including hot cross buns and salt fish. Sunrise services on Easter Sunday take place across Bermuda on beaches, beautiful.
6
Antigua
According to Conde Nast Traveller, in Antigua the streets are covered in brightly coloured carpets that are specially created by artists. The carpets are created from coloured sawdust, fruits, vegetables and flowers and depict religion, Guatemalan history or Mayan traditions.
7
Norway
According to Visit Norway, Easter has become a popular time for people to ski and read crime novels. The slightly quirky tradition is thought to have begun in 1923 when a publisher used Easter as the time to promote a crime novel by running it on the front of newspapers. It was so realistic that people didn’t know if it was true or not and the tradition began.
In focus: Farhi at Easter Get ready for the Easter weekend with our delicious range of sweet treats. From chocolates ideal for a luxury Easter egg hunt to sweet alternatives for a modern feast, there’s something for every taste this Easter at Rita Farhi.
Sugared Almonds These colourful candies are guaranteed to brighten your tabletop this Easter. Our pastelhued sugared almonds are the perfect crunchy and sweet snack. Available in three different gift sizes, they also make the perfecr hostess present.
Milk Chocolate Speckled Eggs An Easter classic, our milk chocolate speckled eggs coated in a crispy pastel shell won’t stick around for long. Eat them on their own or use to decorate Easter cakes and desserts.
Jelly Eggs Our egg-cellent equivalent to chocolate this Easter comes in the form of these moreish jelly fried egg sweets. They are available to purchase in either a stylish gift tin or Easter-ready egg shaped container – perfect for those planning a luxury Easter egg hunt in the garden. (*not suitable for vegetarians)
Vegan Jelly Carrots Looking for a Vegan Easter gift? Our juicy vegan carrot jellies are a delicious alternative to chocolate this Easter. They’re so good that even chocolate lovers won’t be able to resist.
Milk Chocolate Praline Eggs Our sumptuous Milk Chocolate Praline Eggs come wrapped in rainbow hued foil for that extra luxury touch. Scatter these hazelnut praline-filled treats for a decadent addition to your Easter egg hunt…
Sweet Treats Lemon Drizzle Cake Serves: 8 | Prep time: Ingredients: - 225g unsalted margarine - 3/4 cup agave - 4 eggs - 225g self raising flour - 1 lemon zested - 1 pack of Rita Farhi Chocolate dipped dried oranges For drizzle: - 1.5 lemons juiced - 85g caster sugar
Method:
Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/ gas 4. Whisk together, margarine and agave until pale and creamy, add eggs, one at a time, mixing through. Sift in the self-raising flour, mix until well combined and then add the zest and mix once more. Grease a medium sized round cake tin and pour in the mixture and level the top with a spoon. Bake for around 45min or until a skewer comes out clean. While the cake is cooling, leave
in its tin and combine the lemons juice and caster sugar in a bowl to make the drizzle. Prick the warm cake all over with a skewer or fork, and pour over the drizzle – the juice will sink in and the sugar will form a lovely, crisp topping. Once that is done, and the cake is totally cooled, you can decorate with your chocolate dipped lemon slices, we
suggest doing this just before serving. Will keep in an airtight container for 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 1 month (without Farhi slices). This recipe has been adapted from BBC Good Food
Diary Dates 13th March
17th March
BAFTAS
St Patrick’s Day
20th March
27th March
International Day of Happiness
Mother’s Day
1st April
7th April
10th April
15th April
Ramadan Begins
World Health Day
Siblings Day
Good Friday
17th April Easter Sunday
21st April National Tea Day
National Tea Day A perfect pairing:
Image: 8photo at Freepix
Afternoon Tea Bag Tin , £10, Harrods
Chocolate Fruit Selection Gift Box, £49.95, Farhi
T
ea can fix a multitude of problems. Too cold? A cup of tea. Too hot... apparently tea cools you down. Need a break? Tea. Worried? Tea. Celebrating... a cup of tea will still hit the spot. You get the picture. But while here in the UK a splash of milk might be a classic, tea is an extremely varied and versatile drink. While we might turn the kettle on at any opportunity, herbal teas really can have a profound effect on your body. From helping you to relax and nod off, to aiding digestion and much much more. For National Tea Day we’re pairing up some of our favourite treats with some truly decadent tea ideas. When combining a sweet bite with a warming cup of tea, look for fruity flavours that will complement your brew. We’ve opted for our much-loved paté de fruit and chocolate enrobed fruits alongside our decadent nut filled and chocolate dipped dates for an afternoon tea that will really sing. Serve with our lemon drizzle cake on page12
Chocolate Covered and Stuffed Date Selection Gift Box, £35, Farhi
Pick Your Six - Sip by Sip, £28, T2
Tea Selection, 60 tea Bags, Fortnum and Mason
Next Issue...
Sweet talk
Eid Special
