The Coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla
I was looking forward to the Kings Coronation ceremony on Saturday 6th May 2023 and it didn’t disappoint.
I took most of the day off to enjoy the pomp and ceremony that the British do so well. And I definitely enjoyed having some of my own coronation cookies with a lovely cuppa or two!
Many people would have enjodelicious food to celebrate including a lot of tea and biscuits on their buffet tables, street parties or a quiet afternoon tea.
It got me thinking about whether Charles likes tea and biscuits and I did a bit of research……
King Charles doesn't like chocolate or coffee, who would have thought it?
There are several foods the King does enjoy though and I am delighted to report that he does love his biscuits and tea.
Apparently, King Charles, like many royal members, likes his tea made a specific way.
According to reports, there are rules for each type of tea consumed by the monarch and the different sweeteners that are added.
Even the placement of the teacup handle and spoon has to be perfect.
For me it has to be served in china. I prefer a lovely bone china cup and saucer but a china mug will do fine too.
I have a selection of china mugs that are my “favourites”. Most have chickens or other animals on them, they have to be small mugs too. I don’t like big, thick mugs at all!
The King’s favourite blend is Darjeeling with honey and milk, a tea grown in West Bengal, India, that very fragrant and rich in taste. I have never tried Darjeeling so I might see if I can purchase some for the big day and try it out.
One unusual thing; It has been said that the King likes his biscuits pre-warmed to a certain temperature, otherwise he prefers not to eat them at all. I guess its no different to us not being able to wait for biscuits to cool down when taking them out of the oven.
Aren’t they just delicious while they are still warm?
Something I didn’t realise was that King Charles (when he was still the Prince of Wales) founded the brand Duchy Originals in 1990 to champion organic farming and 30 years later, it was merged with Waitrose to become the Waitrose Duchy Organic brand which are still available on shelves today.
The first product created was an oat biscuit, and they are said to be the King’s favourite biscuits to accompany cheese.
King Charles enjoys cheese and biscuits at the end of many of his meals and insists that they be a certain temperature.
Is temperature important for cheese?
It is a well known fact that cheese needs to be served at room temperature.
It is important to relax or temper your cheese. Storing cheese in a cool place but not the fridge can change the flavour and changes the texture too.
If you don’t have time to relax your cheese for a while then remove your cheese from the fridge at least an hour before you plan to eat it. (Make it 30 minutes before if you’re going on a picnic on a hot summer day.)
Cheese is served best at room temperature between 68°F & 72°F.
The best mid morning snack (we call it elevenses)
Biscuits are the nation's favourite mid-morning snack.
Everyone has their personal biscuit preferences… custard cream, bourbon, chocolate digestive.
Last year for Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations many questions were asked and one was “What IS Her Majesty's favourite biccie?”
One of the Queens former chefs confirmed that Chocolate Bath Olivers (Chocolate Olivers are made by exclusive brand Huntley & Palmer) were her favourite but in fact she loved everything that was made with chocolate. Unlike King Charles, she was said to be a chocoholic!
The Queen would start her day with a 'pre-breakfast' of Earl Grey tea – minus milk and sugar – and a side of biscuits, presumably including Chocolate Olivers. What a great way to wake up!
I love Earl Grey and Lady Grey tea and Cookie Doodle Doo definitely supports breakfast biccies!
I have a fab biscuit tin that says it all!
Enjoy!