Market Hauls and Local Noms

SanarTÉsana: Mexican Medicinal Tea Blends That Nourish the Mind, Body, and Earth

Luis Almazan and Yoali Wright showcasing SanarTÉsana products at Mexico City’s Campo Urbano Mercado Agroecológico.

As a full-time solo traveler, I often get asked whether I struggle with loneliness or have trouble making friends in new places. While I can’t say I’ve had the same experience in each of the 11 countries I’ve been fortunate enough to visit in the past year and a half, I can confirm that regardless of language, culture, or time of year, I always know where to find my people: at local markets!

Take my encounter with Ana Yoali Wright as a case in point. I first met Yoali at the Campo Urbano Mercado Agroecológico, a lovely organic market held Wednesdays from 10 am to 4 pm in Mexico City’s vibrant Roma Sur neighborhood. Not only was I immediately captivated by the colorful products adorning her table, I was pleasantly surprised to see how much we had in common: we have similar first names, we had both recently returned from the same part of Vancouver, British Columbia, and we were both happy to have traded the chill and rain of East Van for the warmth and sunshine of Mexico City.

A close-up of SanarTÉsana teas displayed in glass jars and metal tins.

During our initial conversation, Yoali explained that the bright colors that first grabbed my attention weren’t just for the sake of packaging—they were directly related to the seven chakras, or energy centers that impact our mental and physical well-being. Through her project SanarTÉsana, Yoali offers 100% organic medicinal teas inspired by each chakra and made with plants from her garden in Tlayacapan, Morelos, as well as various farms in other regions of Mexico.

Something that immediately stood out to me about SanarTÉsana’s mission is that it goes beyond spreading awareness of the power of plants to heal our minds and bodies (which in and of itself is a noble endeavor!). In fact, rather than simply taking from the earth for the benefit of us mere mortals, Yoali and her collaborators actively give back to the planet by using ecological farming methods that promote clear air, water, and soil while preserving ancestral knowledge and demonstrating the importance of fostering our connection with nature in all its beauty.

Although SanarTÉsana exclusively uses Mexican plants in its medicinal tea blends, the project has been a cross-border collaboration between Yoali and her partner Luis Almazan since 2023. Originally from Mexico City, Luis has been based in Vancouver for over two decades. In 2020, drawing on his culinary arts training, visual effects industry background, and passion for preserving indigenous agricultural and cooking traditions, he founded Xinachtli, a food company specialized in transforming cacao and Vancouver-grown heirloom Tlaxcala corn into traditional foods and beverages like tortillas, mole, and pinole.

Areli (a fellow member of the SanarTÉsana family), Yoali, and Luis at the Campo Urbano Mercado Agroecológico.

I had the pleasure of meeting Luis and reconnecting with Yoali a month after first learning about SanarTÉsana. Just like with Yoali, it didn’t take long to see how much Luis and I had in common, including shared Vancouver market vendor friends and acquaintances. In fact, those living in or visiting Vancouver should note that during the warmer months, Luis sells Xinachtli products and SanarTÉsana teas at the False Creek Farmers Market, Downtown Farmers Market, and UBC Farmers Market.

But I’ve got good news for anyone in Canada or Mexico: you don’t have to wait until Vancouver’s drier season or visit a local Mexican market to buy SanarTÉsana teas (though I would highly recommend taking the time to connect with Yoali and Luis in person if you have the chance!). Instead, you can get the teas shipped anywhere in either country.

SanarTÉsana’s Mini Tea Kit with included preparation guide.

For those in need of a thoughtful gift this holiday season, I highly recommend the Mini Tea Kit, which comes with one of each of the following aptly named blends:

💗 ConectaTÉ – designed to promote mental clarity and deeper connection, this grounding blend of lemon balm, chamomile, lavender, linden, and magnolia supports relaxation and meditative focus. It aligns with the Crown (Sahasrara) Chakra, which governs the brain, pituitary gland, and energetic body.

💜 RelajaTÉ – created in the aftermath of the 2017 Puebla earthquake, this calming blend of lemon balm, St. John’s wort, orange blossom, linden, magnolia, and yauhtli (an herb widely used in Aztec medicine and rituals) fosters deep rest, activates intuition, and relaxes both mind and body. It supports the Third Eye (Ajna) Chakra, which governs the endocrine system, pineal gland, and nervous system.

💙 EscuchaTÉ – featuring elderberry, licorice, sage, mullein, bougainvillea, calendula, and lemon balm, this blend encourages tuning inwards while protecting the vocal cords, improving breathing, and helping combat viruses and infections. It resonates with the Throat (Vishuddha) Chakra, which governs the thyroid, lymphatic system, lungs, bronchi, ears, and vocal cords.

💚 ApapachaTÉ – this nourishing infusion oxygenates and regenerates the respiratory system with mullein, caña fístula, calendula, bougainvillea, eucalyptus, yauhtli, and cuatecomate (a plant with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties). It nurtures the Heart (Anahata) Chakra, which governs the heart, lungs, liver, and the circulatory and immune systems.

💛 EmpoderaTÉ – combining lemon tea, fennel, guava leaves, mint, cempasúchil (Mexican marigold), and yauhtli, this empowering blend restores and revitalizes the digestive system. It uplifts the Solar Plexus (Manipura) Chakra, which governs the digestive system, pancreas, and gallbladder.

🧡 SienTÉ – this anti-inflammatory blend boosts presence and emotional harmony while balancing the reproductive system, thanks to yarrow, chamomile, calendula, lemon balm, and cempasúchil. It corresponds to the Sacral (Svadhisthana) Chakra, which governs the urinary system, spleen, ovaries, and prostate.

❤️ ActivaTÉ – drawing on muicle (Mexican honeysuckle), dandelion, cardamom, white sage, fennel, and mint, this energizing herbal mix strengthens the immune system and detoxifies the blood, liver, and kidneys. It nourishes the Root (Muladhara) Chakra, which governs the digestive system, adrenal glands, and spine.

It’s the perfect option for anyone looking to nourish their loved ones (or themselves) while supporting a meaningful project that promotes well-being and a deeper connection with the earth. What more could you ask for?

SanarTÉsana
Website: sanartesana.mx
Instagram: @sanartesana.te

Xinachtli
Website: xinachtli.ca
Instagram: xinachtli.cs

December 5, 2025

Canada, Chakras, health, Herbal tea, herbs, Local markets, Medicinal tea, Mexican tea, Mexico, Mindfulness, natural-remedies, Organic, SanarTÉsana, Sustainable living, travel, Wellness
Rotterdam Gift Guide
From top left to top right, counterclockwise: Rotterdammertjes, Maasstroompjes, Zeemansboter Pindakaas, De Ster Mill Shop Three-Tin Spice Gift Box, and Stadsgenootjes at Het Park, with Euromast in the background.

After spending three weeks cat sitting in Rotterdam, I’ve put together a list of gifts from some of my favorite local businesses. While many Dutch brands sell their products throughout the city, I focused on items that were created in Rotterdam—and, in some cases, inspired by it. Whether you’re looking to satisfy your tastebuds or bring home something with a fascinating backstory, I hope this guide proves useful!

1. Rotterdamertjes from Rotterdammertjes.com

From left to right: Rotterdammertjes depicting Euromast, Willemsbrug Bridge (seen in the background), and Central Station.

The Business: Rotterdammertjes.com is a social enterprise offering a range of unique, local products developed by Rotterdam-based creators and assembled by a team of Rotterdammers, including individuals with disabilities. Each product produced by founder Olaf Ouwerkerk and his team incorporates a meaningful story and eco-friendly packaging, allowing customers to contribute to a sustainable, inclusive labor market while supporting innovative makers from Rotterdam.

The Gift: Olaf developed Rotterdam’s official candy in 2017 out of a conviction that The Hague and Zeeland weren’t the only places in the Netherlands worthy of having their own candies. Known as Rotterdammertjes, the hard, brown, building block–shaped candies symbolize Rotterdam’s post-war reconstruction and distinctive architecture. The bold flavors also speak to Rotterdam’s identity: orange represents the city’s fruit port, cinnamon symbolizes the spice trade, shipping trade, and Meuse River, while menthol hints at the city’s understated coolness. The set comes with three boxes containing 30 halal, vegetarian, and gluten-free candies. Each box depicts a different Rotterdam monument: Euromast, Willemsbrug Bridge, and Central Station.

2. Rotterdamse Stadsgenootjes from Stadsgenootjes.nl

A green-and-white box of Stadsgenootjes placed in front of Nieuwe Delftse Poort, or “New Delft Gate”—an orange monument designed by Rotterdam-born artist Cor Kraat to commemorate the city’s history and ongoing state as a work in progress.

The Business: Stadsgenootjes was created when Olaf (the entrepreneur mentioned above) and his twin sister Marise decided to put a colorful spin on the centuries-old Dutch tradition of celebrating births by eating beschuit (rusk) and geboortemuisjes—a term that literally translates to “birth mice” but actually refers to sugar-coated anise seeds. Instead of the typical blue muisjes for boys and pink muisjes for girls, Olaf and Marise opted for a more gender-neutral approach, offering the familiar taste of aniseed decked out in the iconic colors of different Dutch cities.

The Gift: Given that Olaf and Marise were born and raised in Rotterdam, the green-and-white Rotterdamse Stadsgenootjes were the first variety they launched. The vegan and gluten-free sprinkles make a great topping for rusk or ice cream and a thoughtful gift for a maternity visit or baby shower.

3. Peanut Butter from Zeemansboter Pindakaas

A jar of Zeemansboter Pindakaas peanut butter on a colorful bench along the Noordsingel canal in Oude Noorden.

The Business: Zeemansboter Pindakaas offers organic, palm oil– and sugar-free peanut butter inspired by the rough, adventure-filled life of a sailor. The name combines Zeemansboter (“sailor’s butter”) with pindakaas (Dutch for peanut butter). The business was born in Katendrecht, a trendy Rotterdam port neighborhood that has witnessed the merrymaking of countless sailors and the arrival of many peanut-laden ships from afar. They currently offer three varieties: original, raisin, and chili.

The Product: The original peanut butter is made with just two ingredients: 99.8% organic peanuts and 0.2% sea salt. Packed in reusable glass jars featuring details about the ship and container that transported the peanuts, the butter is rich in flavor and rough in texture.

4. Maasstroompjes from Maasstroompjes.nl

A blue tin of Maasstroompjes featuring the brand’s signature ship logo.

The Business: In 1934, Rotterdam pastry chef Gerrit Slob won a competition organized in collaboration with the city’s Pastry Bakers Association and tourist board to develop a new local specialty. His creation, the Maasstroompje—an elongated butter cookie filled with frangipane and packaged in a beautiful tin—won over the jury with its taste, simplicity, and tribute to two Rotterdam symbols: the Meuse River and the Maastunnel. Though the cookie fell into obscurity during the Second World War, it was revived in 2013 by Slob’s granddaughter, Inge Bodmer, using his original recipe. Since then, the cookies (decked out in sleek new packaging) have joined the shelves of numerous stores throughout the city, officially reclaiming their status as Rotterdam’s official cookie.

The Gift: To make these cookies, organic wheat flour, butter, sugar, lemon, and salt are kneaded together to form a dough, which is rolled and flattened. The signature Maasstroompje, which translates to “little stream of the Meuse,” refers to the almond paste or cheese stripe added onto the dough with a piping bag. The cookies are baked until crisp and golden brown, cut into 4 cm wide and 6 cm long rectangles, then packaged into bags or tins featuring the brand’s signature ship logo.

5. Three-Tin Spice Gift Box from De Ster Mill Shop

A three-tin gift box featuring Apple Pie Spices, Dutch Cookie Spices, and Dutch Dish Spices on a colorful bench along the Noordsingel canal in Oude Noorden.

The Business: The De Ster and De Lelie Windmills at the Kralingse Plas in Rotterdam-Kralingen are the only operational spice mills in the Netherlands. De Ster is from 1829 and has been rebuilt twice due to fires, while De Lelie can be found in its original state from 1777. The in-person store at De Ster offers wind power ground spices, biscuits baked with their spices, and other unique gifts. All purchases go towards preserving the historic mills, which are run entirely by volunteers. While you can order online, I highly recommend visiting in person so you can get a tour from one of the millers or mill guides—they are incredibly friendly, passionate, and knowledgeable about the mills’ history and operations. As an added bonus, if you come on a windy day, you might get to see, hear, and smell the spices being ground!

De Lelie windmill set against a cloudy blue sky.

The Gift: The standard Gift Box comes with 50-gram tins of ground cinnamon, curry, and black pepper, although you are welcome to customize a box with three spice tins of your choice. Since the spices are ground sustainably, gently, and slowly using wind power, they don’t heat up during the grinding process and retain their natural oils, color, taste, and freshness. They’re also hand-packaged, have a long shelf life, and play a role in keeping Dutch heritage and history alive.

I opted for the three most Dutch-specific spice tins:
- The Apple Pie Spices consist of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and cardamom. They can be used to add a boost of flavor to apple pie dough or filling, as well as other sweet treats and desserts.
- The Dutch Cookie Spices consist of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and cardamom. They make an excellent addition to gingerbread, cake, pastries, or even stews.
- The Dutch Dish Spices is an additive-free blend of caraway seeds, fennel seeds, black pepper, bay leaves, cloves, and cinnamon. The mixture works perfectly with traditional Dutch dishes like stamppot (potatoes mashed with various vegetables), hutspot (potatoes mashed with onions and carrots), and roasted vegetables.
Shop the Guide

You can find all of these gifts at Het Rotterdams Warenhuis—except for the custom spice set. They carry the standard three-tin box, but if you’d like to choose your own spices, you’ll need to visit the Mill Shop either online or, preferably, in person.

Here’s where to find all the businesses and products featured above:

1. Rotterdamertjes
🌐 rotterdammertjes.com

2. Stadsgenootjes
🌐 stadsgenootjes.nl

3. Zeemansboter Pindakaas
🌐 zeemansboter.nl

4. Maasstroompjes
🌐 maasstroompjes.nl

5. De Ster Mill Shop
🌐 snuifmolens.nl

6. Het Rotterdamse Warenhuis
Founded in 2015 by Wouter van Lieburg to shine a spotlight on Rotterdam, Het Rotterdams Warenhuis is the city’s largest retail platform. With both an online store and a physical shop in Kralingen, it offers a curated selection of products made in and themed around Rotterdam, giving local makers an opportunity to showcase their creations and shoppers a meaningful way to take home a piece of the city.
🌐 hetrotterdamswarenhuis.nl
July 25, 2025

Hidden Gems Rotterdam, Local Gifts, Made in Rotterdam, netherlands, Rotterdam, Rotterdam Foodie, Rotterdam Gifts, Rotterdam Small Business, Rotterdam Sweets, Shop Local NL, Support Local Rotterdam, Travel Rotterdam, Unique Souvenirs
4 Dutch Desserts to Try in Rotterdam (And Where to Find Them)

Left to right: hopjes mousse and Haagse Bluf with cherries from
Eet- en Biercafé Haagse Bluf.

Whether or not you’ve been to the Netherlands, chances are you’ve come across the beloved stroopwafel—a caramel-filled waffle cookie from Gouda that’s now famous worldwide. As much as I loved trying one hot off the waffle iron at Rotterdam’s bustling Binnenrotte Market, I was eager to go beyond the classics and explore more of the city’s dessert scene. Here are four standout sweet treats I sampled, along with some background on the local businesses where you can find them.

1. Rotterpouce Waffel from WAFFEL

Rotterpouce Waffel with pink ruby chocolate and vanilla pastry cream.

The Dessert: The Rotterpouce Waffle offers a unique twist on tompouce, a traditional Dutch pastry consisting of pastry cream sandwiched between thin puff pastry layers and topped with pink icing. WAFFEL’s version comes with baked croissant dough dipped in pink ruby chocolate and topped with homemade vanilla pastry cream.

View of WAFFEL’s storefront.

The Business: WAFFEL is a small but elegant bakery serving croissant waffles, matcha, and coffee. Founder Mercedes Roggen came up with the concept in October 2024, drawing on her love of classic French pastry (hence the croissant dough!) and inspiration from “Hou je waffel,” a saying that dates back to the 17th century, when waffle-making was primarily a women’s craft and a waffle iron was a staple part of every woman’s trousseau. While it is currently used to mean “shut your trap” (or waffle, to be literal!), the expression was originally used among waffle makers to mean “focus on your waffle” so the batter doesn’t leak and the waffle doesn’t burn. The menu includes sweet waffles like cinnamon bun, tiramisu, and Dubai chocolate and savory waffles like bánh mì, tuna melt, and carpaccio.

2. Stroopwafel Bite from SUE

SUE’s Stroopwafel Bite.

The Dessert: The Stroopwafel Bite features a crunchy baked stroopwafel base, a soft caramel layer, creamy stroopwafel “cheesecake,” and a topping of homemade stroopwafel cookie crumbles and syrup. It’s a unique twist on the classic stroopwafel: indulgent yet free from the usual butter, refined sugar, milk, and eggs.

Inside The SUE Store.

The Business: SUE offers handcrafted plant-based treats that are free from refined sugar, gluten, and lactose. The concept grew out of founder and cookbook author Kim Sue Palm’s search for healthier alternatives to the sweets she found hard to resist. After experimenting with recipes in her spare time and sharing the results with friends and family, she began supplying her creations to restaurants and bars, quickly growing a successful business from her home kitchen. Within just a few months, she quit her job to dedicate herself fully to SUE. Since then, SUE has expanded to three locations (two in Rotterdam and one in Amsterdam) where you can enjoy Kim’s signature bites in flavors like key lime, tiramisu, lavender lemon, and matcha latte—along with other delicious plant-based food and drinks.

3. Hangop from Vader Kleinjan Café

Left to right: yogurt ice cream and hangop with red fruit compote.

The Dessert: With a name meaning “to hang up,” hangop is a thick, creamy Dutch dessert made from buttermilk or yogurt that is left to “hang” and drain in a towel over a colander. Vader Kleinjan’s version features strained yogurt and real vanilla bean accompanied by red fruit compote and yogurt ice cream.

View of Het Witte Huis and Oude Haven from a terrace table.

The Business: Ranked the #1 café in Rotterdam on TripAdvisor, Vader Kleinjan, owned by Thies Vader and Cornelis Kleinjan, offers meals and drinks with an incredible view. Situated in the heart of Oude Haven—the city’s oldest harbor and a historical hotspot—the café is a wonderful place to relax while admiring Het Witte Huis, Europe’s first high-rise building, and the famous yellow Cube Houses.

4. Haagse Bluf from Eet- en Biercafé Haagse Bluf

Left to right: hopjes mousse and Haagse Bluf with cherries.

The Dessert: Dutch for “The Hague Bluff,” haagse bluf is a classic Dutch dessert made with whipped egg whites, sugar, and berry juice. The name is said to be a playful nod to the once-perceived tendency of The Hague’s residents to bluff or put on airs while lacking true substance. Similarly, haagse bluf looks grand and impressive but is actually very simple to make. Eet- en Biercafé Haagse Bluf’s version combines the usual whipped egg whites with brown sugar and cherries, alongside a mousse made from hopjes—a coffee-and-caramel flavored candy created in The Hague.

A view from Haagse Bluf’s waterfront terrace.

The Business: Considered the leading cheese fondue venue in Rotterdam and the surrounding area, Haagse Bluf has been serving specialty beer, drinks, and meals since 2000. The restaurant’s name refers both to its location on the Haagseveer—a central Rotterdam street that once maintained a ferry connection with The Hague—and to the classic Dutch dessert featured on their menu. If the weather permits, I highly recommend sitting on their terrace, which offers beautiful views and a nice break from the bustle of central Rotterdam.

Plan Your Rotterdam Dessert Tour: Links & Addresses

1. WAFEL
🌐 waffel.nl
📍 Binnenwegplein 2, 3012 KA Rotterdam

2. SUE
🌐 sue-food.nl
📍 The SUE Store – Karel Doormanstraat 372-374, 3012 GA Rotterdam
📍 SUE Bakery – Goudsesingel 330 A, 3011 JT Rotterdam

3. Vader Kleinjan Café
🌐 vaderkleinjan.nl
📍 Spaansepoort 73, 3011 MN Rotterdam

4. Eet- en Biercafé Haagse Bluf
🌐 haagsebluf.eu
📍 Spaansepoort 73, 3011 MN Rotterdam

July 18, 2025

Dutch Desserts, food, Foodie Travel, Hangop, Rotterdam Desserts, Rotterdam Food Guide, Stroopwafel, Vegan Desserts Netherlands, Where to eat in Rotterdam
Cape Town Gift Guide
From top to bottom: gift sets from SoyLites, Simply Bee, Leo’s Little Jars, O’live Handmade Soaps, and African Oils.

After spending a delightful month cat sitting in Cape Town, I’ve put together a list of gift sets from some of my favorite local businesses. Whether you’re seeking something artisanal, eco-friendly, or simply full of the city’s spirit, I hope this guide will be useful!

Shweshwe-Inspired Travel Lite 3x Pack from SoyLites

From left to right: Karoo (buchu, lemongrass, and lime), Grasslands (sandalwood and patchouli), and Acacia (peppermint, sage, and rosemary).

The Business: Long before Colin Skelton and his partner Nicole Antonie co-founded SoyLites in 2007, Colin’s father Rob and Rob’s wife Ann were pioneers in the candle manufacturing industry. Rob, in particular, was passionate about exploring the potential of soy candles. After extensive testing and research, he partnered with a soybean oil supplier to create a soy oil wax that could safely be applied to skin. SoyLites took that innovation and ran with it, developing a range of body and massage candles that helped establish them as leaders in the soy candle and aromatherapy industries. Their locally inspired, eco-conscious product line also includes balms, essential oils, and creative additions like Rainbow Rocks—the first soy crayons in South Africa.

The Gift Set: The Shweshwe-Inspired Travel Lite 3x Pack includes three 55 mL travel candles with colors, designs, and scents inspired by the intricate patterns and bold hues of Shweshwe—a printed cotton fabric introduced to South Africa in the mid-1800s. Scented with botanical essential oil blends and made from 100% pure, biodegradable soybean oil, each candle offers a 15-hour burn time and is free from chemicals, artificial preservatives, and petroleum derivatives. As they burn, the candles form a pool of vitamin E– and lecithin-rich oil that can be applied to skin to improve balance, tone, and texture.
- Karoo (Buchu, Lemongrass, and Lime): An uplifting blend of citrusy lemongrass, invigorating lime, and aromatic buchu—a South African herb known for its anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antioxidant properties.
- Grasslands (Sandalwood and Patchouli): A grounding combination of warm sandalwood and deep, musky patchouli.
- Acacia (Peppermint, Sage, and Rosemary): A revitalizing blend with crisp peppermint, earthy sage, and fragrant rosemary.
Honey Gift Pack Trio from Simply Bee

From top to bottom, clockwise: Raw Fynbos, Raw Eucalyptus, and Raw Citrus Honey.

The Business: Derick Hugo took up beekeeping in the 1950s after receiving a beehive as a wedding gift from his father-in-law. After retiring in 1994, he launched his own beekeeping business, while his daughter Helena balanced her work as an interior designer with researching the benefits of propolis, honey, and other bee byproducts in Portland, Oregon. By the time she returned to South Africa in 2009, Derick had passed his knowledge on to her husband, Pierre van der Westhuizen. Eager to apply her research and develop honey, propolis, and beeswax-based products suitable for people with skin sensitivities and allergies—like herself—Helena co-founded Simply Bee with Pierre. Together, they grew the family business from five products made in Helena’s garage to a range of over 210 items, spanning face, body, and hair care to pet, horse, and even furniture care.

The Gift Set: The Honey Gift Pack Trio features honey delivered straight from the hives using traditional harvesting methods. All honey is badger-friendly and never filtered, irradiated, or processed. While each variety differs slightly in taste, color, and consistency, they all make excellent natural sweeteners, sugar substitutes, and sore throat remedies.
- Raw Fynbos Honey: Gathered from local fynbos in a remote, commercial farming–free area, this honey has a rich, floral taste.
- Raw Eucalyptus Honey: Collected from eucalyptus flowers, this honey offers an earthy, slightly minty flavor.
- Raw Citrus Honey: Harvested from citrus blossoms, this honey has a delicate sweetness with subtle citrus undertones.
South African Tasting Pack from Leo’s Little Jars

Top: Amarula de Leche. Middle (left to right): Apple & Rooibos, Mango & Granadilla. Bottom (left to right): Strawberry & Granadilla, Cape Gooseberry, Tomato & Chili.

The Business: Leo’s Little Jars specializes in handmade, small-batch, gluten-free jams, chutneys, and jellies that blend French tradition with South African inspiration. Originally from France, founder Léo started the business nine years ago, drawing on recipes from her grandmothers, Jeanne and Denise. She and her innovative team of women have since developed a wide range of sustainable, preservative- and additive-free products, all packaged in recyclable jars and made with fresh, locally sourced seasonal produce. If you’re in town and looking for a unique activity, Léo runs jam-making workshops where you can meet fellow jam fanatics and create a jam of your own to savor at home.

The Gift Set: The South African Tasting Pack perfectly captures the fusion of French culinary techniques and South African flavors at the heart of Leo’s Little Jars.
- Amarula de Leche: A top seller, with a delicate sweetness that pairs beautifully with ice cream, cheesecake, or crepes. As Emilie, Léo’s “jambassador” at the Oranjezicht City Farm Market shared, amarula is a South African cream liqueur made from marula—a fruit that ferments after falling to the ground and is said to get elephants and other animals tipsy.
- Apple & Rooibos: Perfect for cheeses and robust meats like pork or lamb.
- Mango & Granadilla (aka passion fruit): Another best seller—lovely with croissants, yogurt, ice cream, or cheesecake.
- Strawberry & Granadilla: Sweet and tart; ideal on croissants or French toast.
- Cape Gooseberry: One of my personal favorites—pleasantly bitter and great with yogurt and cheese.
- Tomato & Chili: The ultimate upgrade for cheese and meat platters, braaibroodjies (South African grilled cheese sandwiches), or avocado toast.
Explore Fynbos Custom Four Soaps Box from O’live Handmade Soaps

Boxed set of four fynbos-inspired handmade soaps.

The Business: O’live was born in 2011 when husband-and-wife team Sipho and Zikhona Tefu began making organic handmade soap to help relieve their daughter’s eczema and embrace a more natural lifestyle. What started as a hobby quickly gained momentum, eventually leading Sipho to leave his engineering job to join the business full-time. As demand from customers and retailers grew, the couple expanded operations beyond their home kitchen into a dedicated production space. Though they’re making far more soap today than when they started, their commitment to crafting natural, organic, handmade skincare—and sourcing ingredients directly from growers—remains unchanged. In fact, Zikhona began sourcing olive oil and pure essential oils from local farmers, as well as unrefined raw shea butter from Ghana, right after making the very first batch!

The Gift Set: The Explore Fynbos Custom Four Soaps Box celebrates fynbos (from the Old Dutch for “fine bush”), a diverse plant biome unique to South Africa’s Cape region and part of the Cape Floral Kingdom—the smallest of the world’s six floral kingdoms. Each handmade bar is crafted with olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter, pure essential oils, indigenous botanicals, and other natural ingredients sustainably sourced from local growers and producers.
- Oatmeal & Lavender Soap: Gentle and calming, ideal for sensitive skin, with soothing oats and fragrant lavender flowers.
- Wild Honeybush & Rose Geranium Soap: Helps reduce irritation with brewed honeybush tea—known for its antifungal and soothing properties.
- Cape Buchu & Lemongrass Soap: A fresh, herbal blend that protects skin with the antibacterial, antiseptic properties of buchu.
- Rooibos & Fynbos Honey Scrub Bar: A softening exfoliator that gently scrubs and moisturizes skin with honey.
Cape Herbal Collection from African Oils

From left to right: Herbs of the Cape, Cape Fynbos, and Cape Snowbush Olive Oil.

The Business: African Oils offers chemical-, preservative-, artificial flavor-, and colorant-free oils, crafted using produce sourced from environmentally sustainable growers across South Africa. They specialize in extra virgin olive oil and offer unique infused varieties like rooibos, pizza, and blood orange. The product line also includes nut and seed oils, vinegars grown and produced in Stellenbosch, olives, skincare, deli items, and more.

The Gift Set: The Cape Herbal Collection includes three beautifully packaged 250 mL metal tins of premium extra virgin olive oil infused with botanicals native to the Cape.
- Herbs of the Cape Olive Oil features locally cultivated, globally beloved herbs like basil, thyme, and rosemary—ideal for cooking, dipping, drizzling, and everything in between.
- Cape Fynbos Olive Oil has an herbaceous, zesty taste with a distinctly South African character.
- Cape Snowbush Olive Oil combines the bright essence of local lemons with earthy, robust notes from snowbush, a flowering shrub native to the Western Cape with white flowers and aromatic leaves.
Shop the Guide

Here’s where to find all the businesses and products featured above:
- SoyLites – Shweshwe-Inspired Travel Lite 3x Pack
- Simply Bee – Honey Gift Pack Trio
- Leo’s Little Jars – South African Tasting Pack
- O’live Handmade Soaps – Explore Fynbos Custom Four Soaps Box
- African Oils – Cape Herbal Collection
- Green Dawning – Local stockist for SoyLites and other Beauty Without Cruelty accredited, vegan, natural, ethically sourced, and locally manufactured brands.
June 16, 2025

African Oils, beauty, Cape Town Gifts, Cape Town Handmade, Cape Town Local Brands, Green Dawning, Leo’s Little Jars, lifestyle, O’live Handmade Soaps, Simply Bee, SoyLites, travel, travel-tips
Vegan Goods Market Haul: 6 Standout Plant-Based South African Businesses

From left to right: Products from Dri Food Co, Wild Leaf Kombucha, Cedar Love, Gaia Organics, and Back 2 Nature

A typical Cape Town itinerary might include iconic spots like Lion’s Head, Table Mountain, Robben Island, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, and Cape Point. But if you’re in town on the first Sunday of the month, I’d argue that a visit to the Vegan Goods Market at The Range Function and Conference Centre in Tokai deserves a spot at the very top of your list.

Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or simply looking for a fun and fulfilling Sunday activity, the Market has something for everyone. It offers a wonderful ambiance, with breathtaking views, live music, outdoor yoga sessions, and friendly vendors who care deeply about animals, the environment, and each other. Here are six of the lovely businesses I learned about during my visit—and what I picked up from them.

Skincare from Green Dawning

From left to right: Alpha-Hydroxy Organic Fruit Acid Toner from Gaia Organics, Detox and Balance Face Cleanser from Back 2 Nature, and Moisturising Cream Cleanser Makeup Remover from Gaia Organics.

The Business(es): Green Dawning is the only South African retailer offering multiple skincare and wellness brands that are all Beauty Without Cruelty accredited, vegan, natural, ethically sourced, and locally manufactured. Founder Bev Dawn created the platform to make it easier for like-minded customers to access affordable, plant-based products that support personal health, the environment, and the local economy. A percentage of each sale is donated to the Greyton Farm Animal Sanctuary, which rescues abandoned, abused, and neglected farm and domestic animals.

Gaia Organics: A third-generation family business founded in 1997, Gaia Organics produces natural, organic, and hand-crafted skin and health products. Committed to sustainability, the company bases its formulations on the antioxidant and anti-aging properties of organic green tea and wild kelp from South Africa’s West Coast. If you’re in Plettenberg Bay, you can book a complimentary skin consultation with Claudia Henderson—owner, marketer, and manufacturer of the skincare range.

Back 2 Nature: Founded by Chanel Dankert, Back 2 Nature was born out of a desire to reduce environmental impact, promote conscious consumerism, and help people reconnect with nature. The brand prioritizes ethical sourcing, cruelty-free practices, and non-toxic ingredients, while also focusing on community upliftment. All products are made locally using sustainable methods, with packaging that’s eco-friendly, recyclable, and biodegradable.

The Products: The Alpha-Hydroxy Fruit Acid Toner from Gaia Organics offers deep cleansing and gentle exfoliation using organic fruit acids and essential oil solvents. Gaia’s Moisturising Cream Cleanser Makeup Remover features natural citrus oils that lift away makeup while leaving the skin soft and clean. The Detox and Balance Face Cleanser from Back 2 Nature revitalizes and purifies with South African ingredients like kaolin clay and rooibos.

Orange, Ginger, and Carrot Kombucha from Wild Leaf Kombucha

Orange, Ginger, and Carrot Kombucha from Wild Leaf Kombucha

The Business: Wild Leaf Kombucha was founded in 2018 by Tiffany and Neil, who studied herbalism and fermentation, respectively. When Neil moved to Sacramento, his parents—Gordon and Verne Mackay—took over the business. They’ve since created their own unique flavors, but their original mission remains the same: to spread the joy of healthy, small-batch fermented drinks. Wild Leaf’s raw, organic kombucha is brewed with fresh herbs, fruits, foraged plants, and berries, and any leftover ingredients are composted in the family’s garden.

The Product: The Orange, Ginger, and Carrot Kombucha delivers a mix of tangy, spicy, and sweet notes, making for a refreshing, feel-good beverage.

Dehydrated Prepacked Meals from Dri Food Co

From left to right: Smokehouse Mash Hummus, Brinjal Masala with walnuts, and Chocolate Orange Pudding with almonds from Dri Food Co

The Business: Run by husband-and-wife team Lizelle and Jullian, Dri Food Co offers dehydrated meals ideal for hikers, busy professionals, and everyone in between. Their product range includes gourmet oats, pasta- and rice-based meals, hummus, and puddings—all packaged in reusable pouches. Free from sugar and artificial ingredients, these meals are easy to prepare (just add boiling water and wait!) and have a long shelf life. The globally inspired menu features dishes such as Nepali dal bhat, Cape Malay coconut dal, Thai green curry, and Moroccan lentil tagine.

The Products: The Smokehouse Mash Hummus delivers a rich, smoky twist on classic hummus. The Northern Indian-inspired Brinjal Masala features beautifully spiced basmati rice, chickpeas, and brinjal, Afrikaans for eggplant. The Chocolate Orange Pudding with almonds is an indulgent yet healthy treat, naturally sweetened with dates and sweet potato.

Homemade Crushed Garlic and Chilli from Cedar Love

Homemade Crushed Garlic and Chilli from Cedar Love

The Business: Husband-and-wife team Tyrone and Cassidy Oosthuizen founded Cedar Love in 2021 with the dream of purchasing a farm in the Cederberg Mountains and raising awareness about regenerative agriculture. Their product line is free from enzymes, preservatives, and refined sugar, and features locally sourced ingredients. Offerings include pickled jalapeños, olive oil, olives, tapenade, and pesto.

The Product: The Homemade Crushed Garlic and Chilli is a versatile condiment that not only tastes delicious but also adds beneficial bacteria to your gut and boosts your immune system, thanks to the fermentation process it undergoes before being jarred.

Welcome sign at the Vegan Goods Market

The Range Function and Conference Centre

Seating area at the Vegan Goods Market

If you’re in Cape Town on the first Sunday of the month, be sure to support these and other businesses at the Vegan Goods Market. Otherwise, check out their websites and socials below to learn more and get their goodies delivered to your home (some even offer international shipping)!

Green Dawning

Website: https://greendawning.com/

Instagram: @greendawning

Gaia Organics

Website: https://www.gaiaorganics.co.za/

Instagram: @gaiaorganicsskincare

Back 2 Nature

Website: https://www.sa-back2nature.com/

Instagram: @back2nature_sa

Wild Leaf Kombucha

Website: https://wildleafbrew.co.za/

Instagram: @wildleafkombucha

Dri Food Co

Website: https://drifoodco.com/

Instagram: @drifoodco

Cedar Love

Instagram: @cedarlove2

June 7, 2025

beauty, Cape Town Markets, Conscious Consumer, Cruelty Free, Dehydrated Meals, Fermented Foods, lifestyle, Local Brands, Natural Skincare, Plant Based Living, Shop Local, South African Businesses, Support Local, Sustainable Lifestyle, travel, vegan, Vegan Cape Town, Vegan Goods Market, Vegan South Africa, vegetarian
Skiniri: A Black Woman-Owned West London Skincare Brand Rooted in Wellness and Sustainability

Skiniri London founder Lettica Phillips at the Chocolate Station Market, hosted at Battersea Power Station from April 18–21, 2025.

This Easter weekend, I went to the Battersea Power Station to check out their first-ever Chocolate Market. During my visit, I got to meet Lettica Phillips, the lovely founder and creator of Skiniri, an award-winning Black-owned, West London-based business offering sustainable, all-natural skincare.

Lettica’s wellness journey started in 2015, when she decided to go all-natural after realizing how many harmful chemicals and toxins were in her skin and haircare products. This shift included cutting off her hair, eliminating heat and relaxers (chemicals used to straighten Black hair), and actively thinking about the ingredients she was absorbing through her body.

Skin Silk Discovery Set with Coco Salts, Twilight Recovery Oil, and Shea Silk Mousse.

Drawing on her “if I can do it myself, I will” mindset and inspiration from YouTube videos, Lettica started making her own skincare. Upon noticing significant improvement in her skin, she signed up for a course in Natural Skincare, initially only formulating for herself. Eventually, she began sharing her formulations with friends and family, who encouraged her to release her products.

Lettica launched Skiniri in 2021 with a handcrafted, vegan, and vitamin-rich product line that included a shea and cocoa-butter based body butter, a restoring face and body oil, and an exfoliating scrub. Since then, she explained, “I’ve slowly been expanding to different products. I’m just taking customer feedback and growing.”

Coco Salts

Twilight Recovery Oil

Shea Silk Mousse

Lettica’s attention to customer service is not at all surprising, given her experience working in professional services and doing client feedback for law and accountancy firms. “But I’ve always been very hands on and creative, so it was almost bringing me back to a space that I kind of started off in [when I was] much younger. And it did get me back into that creative building space.”

When I asked Lettica about her goals and dreams for Skiniri, she shared, “I would love to have a full wellness brand, so not just skincare, but moving into haircare, home fragrance, maybe even some home furnishings. I do feel like the space around you goes beyond skincare; it’s about what you surround yourself with [and] making your own natural ecosystem that serves you as much as possible.”

Shea Silk Mousse – Gold winner in the 2024 Natural Health & Beauty Awards (Body Cream category), Twilight Recovery Oil – Gold winner in the 2024 Natural Health & Beauty Awards (Facial Oil category), and Coco Salts – Silver winner in the 2024 Natural Health & Beauty Awards (Body Scrub category).

Though I’m excited to see how Lettica’s wellness expertise will translate beyond skincare, I should also emphasize how much success she’s already had in the field! In 2024 alone, Skiniri won 6 Natural Health & Beauty Awards. When I congratulated Lettica on her accomplishments, she said “It’s been really good. I’m still learning as I go, and there’s a lot of stuff I don’t know, but it feels like I’m on the right path.” Even from the little time I’ve known her, I couldn’t agree more!

Learn more about Skiniri:

Website: https://www.skiniri.com/

Instagram: @skiniri

April 21, 2025

Black Woman-Owned Business, Coco Salts, Lettica Phillips, Natural Health & Beauty Awards, Natural Skincare, Shea Silk Mousse, Skin Silk Discovery Set, Skiniri, Twilight Recovery Oil, Vegan Skincare
Diamande: The Parisian Pâtisserie Merging Tradition and Innovation Through its Almond-Based Creations

The elegant pink exterior of Pâtisserie Diamande.

A few weeks ago, I got off at the Bréguet-Sabin metro stop in the 11th arrondissement of Paris with the best of intentions: to take advantage of the famous Bastille Market despite the heavy rain. Although I managed to walk through the entire market (which, I must say, is quite large!), I ended up buying nothing and taking shelter under a tent, where I proceeded to look for a quiet place to eat while waiting for the weather to clear up.

Luckily, thanks to my habit of extensively researching restaurants, bakeries, and cafés before arriving in a given city, it didn’t take me long to realize that I was right next to Diamande, an Algerian pastry shop I had been eager to visit.

A glimpse of the colorful pastries on display inside the shop.

As soon as I stepped into the small boutique on the corner of Rue Sedaine and Boulevard Richard-Lenoir, I was dazzled by the variety of colors and textures in the pastry display. In fact, the first thing I said to Othmane, the co-owner of the shop, was that I felt like I was looking at little works of art!

As I was making my selection, Othmane told me about his background: “I was in Germany before, I studied French pastry in Berlin, and then when I came here […] I thought, why not make our pastries—Algerian pastries?” During one of his work experiences in France, he met Fayçal, a former economist who, having always dreamed of opening his own pastry shop, earned a diploma in pastry arts in Algeria. Together, the two colleagues developed the idea of “opening a small shop” and “revisiting Algerian pastries” by reducing the amount of sugar and offering them in smaller portions. “That way, people can eat two, three, even four pastries at once.”

A close-up of the beautiful pastries on display.

“We started very slowly in a small garage, and then we found the shop in 2011,” Othmane explained. When I asked how Parisians first received the pastries, he mentioned, “It was a bit tough in the first few years [but] now we’re very happy. Honestly, things have been going really well here. The key is simply to love what you do.”

Another factor in their success? The quality of their ingredients. As the name suggests, the pastries at Diamande (a combination of the words Diamond [Diamant] and Almond [Amande]), whether traditional or innovative, are almond-based. Their creations celebrate the versatility of the beloved nut by pairing it with floral flavors (such as lavender, jasmine, and violet), fruity notes (like lime, blackcurrant, and mango), spices (including basil, cardamom, and rosemary), nuts (such as pistachio, hazelnut, and pecan), and even chocolate.

Another close-up showcasing the lovely pastries on display.

If I had to choose my favorites among the ones I tasted, I’d go with the Poppy Clover, the Raspberry & Litchi Dziriette (a traditional Algerian almond-filled pastry), the Chocolate Baklawa, and the Pimento with almond, hazelnut, and chili—not just for their originality, but also for their varied textures and subtle flavors. That said, there are still so many others I can’t wait to try on my next visit to Paris!

Speaking of travel, when I explained to Othmane that I am a digital nomad from Canada, he told me, “We’ve had customers coming from Canada since almost the beginning, and every time they’re here, they sit down for tea or a pastry. The day before they leave, they always buy a few pastries to take with them.” (Note: “You can keep the pastries for over a week at room temperature since there’s no cream inside.”)

From left to right, going clockwise: pimento with almond, hazelnut, and chili; olive oil and rosemary dome; fig makrout; and chocolate baklava.

For Othmane and Fayçal, Canada represents a land of opportunity: “My colleague and I talk about this often—we’d love to open a small shop in Canada or Japan because we already have quite a few Japanese customers who come here.” The challenge, however, is training people. Since they are the ones making and selling the pastries, “It’s a bit tough to find reliable people who can take over and pass on the expertise. For now, we’ve found a young apprentice. He’s gradually learning the ropes with us.”

Top row, left to right: raspberry torsade sprinkled with pistachios, rose aumônière (pouch), raspberry and lychee dziriette. Middle row, left to right: mhancha (Maghrebi spiral-shaped pastry made with crushed almonds wrapped in crispy dough), poppy clover. Bottom row, left to right: jasmine flower envelope, violet aumônière, ‘passionately’ grapefruit pastry.

If you’re in Paris and want to learn more about Algerian pastries, keep in mind that Diamande offers immersive half-day workshops where you can take part in making their delicious treats, setting up the display case, and, of course, a tea and pastry tasting.

Otherwise, to satisfy your sweet cravings, don’t hesitate to visit Diamande at any time of the day and indulge in their exquisite “diamandises”!

Visit Diamande Pâtisserie:

Address: 4 rue Sedaine, 75011 Paris

Website: diamande.fr

Instagram: @diamande_patisserie

January 30, 2025

Algerian Pastries, Almond-Based Desserts, bakery, Bakery Recommendations, Diamande, food, French-Algerian Fusion, Must-Try Pastries, Parisian Sweets, pastry, Pâtisserie
Diamande : la pâtisserie parisienne qui fusionne tradition et innovation à travers ses créations à base d’amande

L’élégant extérieur rose de la pâtisserie Diamande.

Il y a quelques semaines, je suis descendue de l’arrêt de métro Bréguet-Sabin dans le 11ième arrondissement de Paris avec la meilleure des intentions : profiter du fameux Marché Bastille malgré la forte pluie. J’ai beau avoir fait le tour du marché entier (qui, je tiens à le dire, est très grand !), j’ai fini par ne rien acheter et m’abriter sous une tente, où je me suis mise à chercher un endroit où manger tranquillement en attendant le retour du beau temps.

Heureusement, comme je fais beaucoup de recherches sur les restaurants, pâtisseries et cafés du coin avant même d’arriver dans une ville donnée, il ne m’a pas fallu longtemps pour réaliser que j’étais juste à côté de Diamande, une pâtisserie algérienne que je voulais absolument visiter.

Un aperçu des pâtisseries colorées en vitrine.

Dès que je suis entrée dans la petite boutique au coin de la rue Sedaine et du Boulevard Richard-Lenoir, j’ai été éblouie par la variété de couleurs et de textures des pâtisseries dans la vitrine. Justement, la première chose que j’ai dite à Othmane, le co-propriétaire de la pâtisserie, est que j’avais l’impression d’observer des petites œuvres d’art !

En attendant que je fasse ma sélection, Othmane m’a parlé de son parcours : « J’étais en Allemagne avant, j’ai fait la pâtisserie française à Berlin et après, quand je suis venu ici […] je me suis dit pourquoi pas faire notre pâtisserie, la pâtisserie algérienne ? ». C’était pendant une de ses expériences de travail en France qu’il a rencontré Fayçal, un ancien économiste qui, ayant toujours rêvé d’ouvrir sa propre pâtisserie, a obtenu un diplôme pâtissier en Algérie. Ensemble, les deux collègues ont développé l’idée « de faire une petite boutique » et « de revisiter un peu la pâtisserie algérienne » en réduisant la quantité de sucre et en la proposant en petit format. « Comme ça les gens peuvent manger 2, 3, voire 4 pâtisseries à la fois. »

Un gros plan sur les belles pâtisseries en vitrine.

« On a commencé très doucement dans un petit garage et après on a trouvé la boutique en 2011 », m’a expliqué Othmane, ajoutant, quand je lui ai demandé comment les Parisiens avaient accueilli la pâtisserie, « que c’était un peu dur les premières années [mais] maintenant on est très contents. Franchement, ici ça marche très bien. Il suffit juste de travailler par amour. »

Une autre clé de leur succès ? La qualité des ingrédients. Comme on peut le deviner d’après le nom, les pâtisseries de Diamande (une contraction des mots « Diamant » et « Amande »), qu’elles soient traditionnelles ou innovantes, sont à base d’amande. Les créations célèbrent donc la polyvalence du bien-aimé fruit sec en l’associant à des saveurs fleuries (dont lavande, jasmin et violette), fruitées (dont citron vert, cassis et mangue), épicées (dont basilic, cardamome et romarin), aux noix (dont pistache, noisette et noix de pécan) et même chocolatées.

Un autre gros plan mettant en valeur les jolies pâtisseries de la boutique.

Si je devais choisir mes préférées parmi celles que j’ai essayées, je citerais la Trèfle aux coquelicots, la Dziriette (gâteau traditionnel algérien aux amandes) framboise & litchi, le Baklawa chocolat et le Pimento amande, noisette et piment. Je les ai particulièrement appréciées non seulement pour leur originalité, mais aussi pour leurs textures variées et leurs parfums subtils. Cela dit, il y en a encore tant d’autres que j’ai hâte de déguster lors de ma prochaine visite à Paris !

En parlant de voyages, lorsque j’ai expliqué à Othmane que je suis nomade numérique d’origine canadienne, il m’a dit « On a des clients qui viennent du Canada depuis peut-être l’ouverture et à chaque fois, ils sont là en train de prendre un thé ou un gâteau et le jour avant qu’ils partent, ils prennent quelques gâteaux pour là-bas. » (À noter que « vous pouvez garder les pâtisseries plus d’une semaine à température ambiante, comme il n’y a pas de crème à l’intérieur. »)

De gauche à droite, dans le sens des aiguilles d’une montre : Pimento amande-noisette-piment, Dôme huile d’olive-romarin, Makrout à la figue, Baklawa chocolat.

Le Canada représente même un terrain de possibilités pour Othmane et Fayçal : « On en parle souvent moi et mon collègue, on aimerait bien faire une petite boutique par exemple au Canada [ou bien au] Japon, parce qu’on on a pas mal de Japonais [qui viennent] chez nous. Le problème, c’est qu’il faut former des gens. » Comme ils sont à la fois pâtissiers et vendeurs, « C’est un peu dur de trouver des gens sérieux pour prendre le relais et pour donner le savoir-faire. Pour le moment, on a trouvé un petit jeune, il est en train de travailler avec nous tout doucement. »

Ligne du haut, de gauche à droite : Torsade à la framboise saupoudrée de pistache, Aumônière à la rose, Dziriette framboise & litchi. Ligne du milieu, de gauche à droite : Mhancha (pâtisserie maghrébine en forme de spirale, faite d’amandes concassées enroulées dans des rubans croustillants), Trèfle aux coquelicots. Ligne du bas, de gauche à droite : Enveloppe à la fleur de jasmin, Aumônière à la violette, Passionnément pamplemousse.

Si vous êtes à Paris et que vous souhaitez en savoir plus sur la pâtisserie algérienne, sachez que Diamande propose des ateliers immersifs d’une demi-journée vous permettant de participer à la fabrication de leurs excellentes pâtisseries, à la mise en place de la vitrine et, bien sûr, à une dégustation de thé accompagné de gourmandises.

Sinon, pour satisfaire à vos envies gourmandes, n’hésitez pas à visiter Diamande à toute heure de la journée et à vous régaler de leur magnifiques « diamandises » !

Visitez Diamande Pâtisserie:

Addresse : 4 rue Sedaine, 75011 Paris

Site web : diamande.fr

Instagram : @diamande_patisserie

January 30, 2025

Amande, Bonnes adresses Paris, Diamande, Gastronomie, Paris gourmand, Pâtisserie, Pâtisserie algérienne, Saveurs du monde, Spécialités algériennes, Thé et gourmandises
Around the World in Metro Vancouver: Local Business Edition

Here’s a list of my favorite Metro Vancouver farmers market vendors and small businesses, organized by country or region.

BARBADOS

Linton’s Kitchen: A Downtown, False Creek, Riley Park, and Surrey Urban Farmers Market vendor offering innovative spins on Barbados pepper sauce—a Barbadian-style condiment traditionally made with scotch bonnet peppers, mustard, and vinegar. Click here to learn more about the creator, Canadian-Barbadian chef Robert Linton, and the story behind his business.

Blueberry Pepper Sauce, Tropical Pepper Sauce, and Cranberry Pepper Sauce.

GREECE

Yumasoy: A Vancouver-based, women-led business offering tasty, marinated, plant-based chicken-style strips known as Om Noms. The name Yumasoy is a nod to CEO and founder Gina Arsens’ Greek heritage and the Greek exclamation ‘Yamas!’, which means ‘to our health.’ Click here to learn more.

Original Om Noms, Mediterranean Herb Om Noms, and Teriyaki Om Noms.

INDIA

Gheelicious: A Vancouver-based business and market vendor specializing in homemade, small-batch ghee—a lactose-free form of clarified butter with plenty of health benefits—in classic, sweet, and savory variations. Click here to learn more about founder Sonya and how to incorporate ghee into your life!

Traditional Ghee, made from locally sourced BC butter.

Mandair Farms: An Abbotsford-based family farm offering a variety of jams, chutneys, pickled fruits and veggies, as well as local produce and freshly cooked pakoras. Click here to learn more about the Mandair family’s story.

Indian Pickled Carrots.

INDIGENOUS

Cedar Feast House Catering: A 100% Indigenous-owned catering company and market vendor specializing in traditional Indigenous cuisine prepared with modern culinary techniques. Founded by Chef Theresa Contois of the First Nation of Turtle Island, the company provides employment opportunities for people with disabilities, women in need of second chances, single mothers, and Indigenous people. Check out their website for more information.

Vegetarian Bannock (Indigenous fry bread) Tacos: Bannock squares topped with plant-based ground beef, vegetables, salsa, and sour cream.

IRAN

Kaaj Chocolate: Kaaj Chocolate: A Vancouver-based craft chocolate company founded in 2020 by four close friends—Fatima, Fakhteh, Mehdi, and Sam. The name ‘Kaaj’ comes from the Persian word for pine tree and symbolizes the founders’ Iranian heritage and their admiration for the Canadian Rockies; a major inspiration behind their work. Click here to learn more.

Clockwise from left: 82% Dark Chocolate, Pumpkin Pie 70% Dark Chocolate, and Pistachio Saffron 75% Dark Chocolate.

Tasty Vita: A Burnaby-based business offering all-natural Persian dried fruit snacks. Click here to visit their website.

A colorful assortment of Natural Mixed Dried Fruits.

JAPAN

Beauty Secrets of Japan: a business offering authentic, all-natural Japanese bath and beauty products made in Vancouver. Click here to learn more about the founder, Mami Mizutani, and the story behind her business.

Tsubaki Oil: A versatile oil that keeps skin and hair hydrated all year long.

Coconama Chocolate: A beloved market vendor offering an exquisite selection of chocolate bars, barks, and nama—a type of Japanese ganache truffle known for its smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Fun fact: Owners Taka and Kayoko opened Vancouver’s first ganache chocolate shop in 2010. Click here to learn more.

Nama flavors, from left to right, top to bottom: Strawberry, Lemon Basil, Blueberry, Salad (a mix of avocado, beet, kale, tomato, and yam chocolate), and Ukrainian (a blend of mango and mint chocolate).

Mugwort Botanicals: A Vancouver-based business offering consultations, herbal teas, and all-natural herbal skincare products. Click here to learn more about Yuuki Tateno, the herbalist and energy healer behind the business.

Calendula Infused Jojoba Oil.

Origo Foods: A local, family-owned freeze-dried fruit manufacturer offering delicious, gluten-free treats made with 100% real fruit and no preservatives. The business was born out of founder Stone’s efforts to meet his three sons’ snacking needs. Click here to learn more.

Freeze-Dried Blueberries made with Abbotsford berries.

MEXICO/INDIGENOUS

Nuez Acres: A women-led, Indigenous-owned skincare brand committed to creating natural, vegan, eco-friendly, and waterless beauty products powered by pecans. Click here to learn more about founders Nancy and Anthony, and the story behind their business.

From left to right, clockwise: Firming Day Serum, Strawberry Lip Balm, Repair Night Serum, and Dewy Whipped Body Balm.

MOROCCO

Darna’s Moroccan Flavours: A market vendor and catering company offering a diverse range of Moroccan sweet and savory treats, including scrumptious cookies, stuffed breads, seafood pastillas, and tagines, all inspired by founder Chaima’s traditional family recipes. Click here to learn more about Chaima and her business.

Back row: Homemade Lotus spread-stuffed date, vegan, gluten-free banana bite, and rose, strawberry, and almond-stuffed date. Middle row: Vegan date bites. Front row: Energy ball.

NORTH MACEDONIA

Petkov Kiwi Production: A Trout Lake Farmers Market vendor offering pesticide-free kiwis in various sizes, along with kiwi jams made without artificial pectin, colors, or preservatives. Click here to learn more about the owner, George.

From left to right: mini kiwis, kiwi jam, and aronia berries.

PALESTINE/SAUDI ARABIA

Dar Darak Samira’s Kitchen: A market vendor and caterer offering a taste of Palestine and Saudi Arabia in Vancouver. Click here to learn more about Samira, the founder, and the inspiration behind her business.

Starting from the left, moving clockwise: Basbousa (a sweet semolina cake soaked in orange blossom syrup), a vegan and gluten-free coconut almond muffin with pistachio and rose water, a Palestinian date-stuffed ring cookie, and Mamoul (a butter cookie filled with dates).

PHILIPPINES

Twins Donuts: A one-woman business and Trout Lake, False Creek, Kitsilano, and Riley Park Farmers Market vendor offering unique, homemade donuts made fresh daily with light, fluffy brioche dough. These gourmet treats come in a variety of fun savory and sweet flavors, inspired by owner Leslie’s Filipina heritage. Click here to learn more.

Leche/Dulce Flan, Ube Coconut, and Peach Mango Donuts.

SOUTH KOREA

Kultured Method: A small business offering fantastic probiotic, plant-based products starring gochujang—Korean fermented red chili paste. Head to Kultured Method’s Instagram to learn more about the business and founder Emily, a self-proclaimed explorative foodie.

Gochujang Infused Nutty Dip and Gochujang Infused Creamy Sauce.

Nutii: A small business offering handcrafted, vegan, gluten-free, GMO-free, and preservative-free granolas and snacks made from scratch with all-natural ingredients. Check out founder Eunsoo’s website to learn more.

Forest Munch Trail Mix and Orange Creamsicle Granola.

Soban Organic Farm: A family farm located within the Yarrow Ecovillage, an intentional, member-designed community in Chilliwack, BC, which promotes a socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable lifestyle. You can find Soban Organic Farm’s healthy, organically grown produce, as well as handmade Korean sauces and kimchi, at the Trout Lake and Kitsilano Farmers Markets.

Black Kimchi made with black garlic, cabbage, Napa cabbage, daikon, cucumber, celery, carrot, broccoli, onion, green onion, ginger, sea salt, and sunflower seeds.

BONUS BIPOC BUSINESS PICK

Tempea Natural Foods: Vancouver’s first producer of fresh, unpasteurized tempeh. Made with fermented, certified organic, non-GMO soybeans and green peas sourced from Canada and the US, their tempeh is available at the Trout Lake, West End, Kitsilano, and Riley Park Farmers Markets. Click here to learn more.

From left to right: Original Soy Tempeh, Seaweed-Flavored Tempeh Chips, and Green Pea Tempeh.

January 10, 2025

Beauty Secrets of Japan, Cedar Feast House Catering, Coconama Chocolate, Dar Darak Samira’s Kitchen, Darna’s Moroccan Flavours, food, Gheelicious, Kaaj Chocolate, Kultured Method, Linton’s Kitchen, Mandair Farms, Metro Vancouver Farmers Markets, Metro Vancouver Small Businesses, Nuez Acres, Nutii, Origo Foods, Petkov Kiwi Production, Soban Organic Farm, Tasty Vita, Tempea Natural Foods, travel, Twins Donuts, Yumasoy
Around the World in Metro Vancouver: Local Noms Guide

Here’s a list of my favorite places to eat in Metro Vancouver, organized by country or region.

BAKERIES AND DESSERT SHOPS

CHINA

Level V Bakery: A wonderful vegan bakery and café in Mount Pleasant offering an impressive lineup of traditional pastries like macarons, croissants, and cream puffs, alongside Asian-inspired treats like hojicha opera cake and mochi muffins. They also offer vegan takes on classic Chinese bakery items, such as pineapple buns, egg tarts, and barbecue pork buns. Click here to learn more about the owner, Monica, and the story behind the bakery.

Clockwise from left: Ube & Pineapple, Tiramisu & Chestnut, Matcha Mung Bean, and Red Bean Moon Cakes.

FRANCE

Bon Macaron Patisserie: A Granville Island Public Market vendor offering an extensive array of sweet and savory macarons—airy French treats made with two meringue shells and a scrumptious filling—along with weekly and seasonal specials. NB: You can also take French Macaron Baking Classes at their Granville Island and downtown Victoria locations. Click here for more information.

Macaron flavors, from left to right, top to bottom: Goat Cheese, Beetroot & Honey, Gouda & Chives, Truffle & Pink Salt, Blue Cheese, Pear & Walnut, Tomato Basil, and Goat Cheese & Fig.

La Bise Bakery: An artisanal bakery specializing in canelés, a delectable French pastry with a crunchy, caramelized exterior and a moist, rum-and-vanilla-infused custard interior. Click here to learn more about owner Nicole Scriabin and the story behind La Bise Bakery.

Sampler box of mini canelés. Flavors pictured, from top to bottom, left to right: Chocolate Hazelnut, Passionfruit Curd, Bitter Orange Marmalade, Spiced Pumpkin, Black Sesame White Chocolate, Salted Caramel, Pistachio Cream, Cookie Butter, and Lemon Curd.

INDIA/JAPAN

Tokyo Mithaiwala: An innovative Surrey-based business offering Indian sweets (mithai) with a Japanese soul. Click here to learn more about owners Raji and Tomoko Sandhar and the story behind Tokyo Mithaiwala.

9-Piece Signature Diwali Collection Mithai Box. Top row, from left to right: Purple Yam Roll, Rose Elaichi Barfi, and Motichoor Pista Barfi. Middle row, from left to right: Matcha Barfi, Motichoor Kesar Bon Bon, and Neapolitan Barfi. Bottom row, from left to right: Cappuccino Kalakand, Bounty Barfi, and Oreo Besan Barfi.

JAPAN

Kanadell Japanese Bakery: A Japanese bakery owned by Keiko Nakanishi, who came to Vancouver from Japan on a working holiday visa in 2011 with no intention of staying long-term. The name Kanadell comes from the Japanese verb kanaderu (奏でる), which Keiko translates as ‘making great sounds with objects in great harmony.’ Click here to learn more.

Matcha, Red Bean, Black Sesame, Coffee, Chocolate, and Earl Grey Vegan Mini Mochi Bites surrounding a Pumpkin Spice Melon Pan.

Wa-Bagel by Aburi: A popular downtown Vancouver spot offering Japanese-style bagels. Click here to learn more about Wa-Bagel’s head baker, Yukiko Iikura, and how she crafts her beloved bagels.

Strawberry Cheesecake, Sweet Potato & Black Sesame, and Matcha Cheesecake Japanese-style bagels.

MEXICO

La Bakeria Bakeshop: An unmissable destination for plant-based, Mexican-inspired baked goods, including unique and delicious conchas—a type of brioche-like pan dulce named for its crunchy, seashell-shaped topping. Click here to learn more about the founders, Lucía and Estefanía, and the story behind their women-owned and operated business.

Spooky Concha 4 Pack (an assortment of Halloween-themed vanilla conchas), Pan de Muerto filled with chocolate ganache and topped with sugar, and Pan de Muerto filled with guava paste and cream cheese, topped with sesame seeds.

ROMANIA

Transylvanian Traditions: A petite West End bakery offering an impressive and extensive array of decadent delights, including over a dozen preservative-free European cakes, macarons, and Transylvanian breads and pies. Click here to learn more about the owners, Alexandru and Narcisa Stoian, and the story behind their business.

Savarina (Romanian bread crumbs cake soaked in syrup infused with lemon juice and rum, topped with a generous heap of homemade whipped cream and drizzled with crushed strawberry sauce), Amandina (Romanian chocolate sponge cake soaked in rum syrup, filled with layers of homemade chocolate cream, and garnished with chocolate fondant), and Dobos Torte (Hungarian sponge cake with eight thin layers of cake filled with chocolate cream, Nutella, and buttercream).

RESTAURANTS

AFGHANISTAN

Jamila’s Afghan Cuisine: A halal restaurant on Commercial Drive offering Afghan-Indian fusion eats. Click here to learn more about Malik and Jamila Malikzada, the award-winning husband-and-wife duo behind the business.

Aushak: Afghan dumplings stuffed with leeks, spinach, onions, and spices, served with garlic yogurt and a rich tomato-lentil sauce.

AUSTRALIA

Peaked Pies: A family-run business with locations in Burnaby, Vancouver, and Whistler, named for their iconic specialty: Aussie-style pies ‘peaked’ with mashed potatoes and mushy green peas, then smothered in gravy. Click here to learn more about the owners, Kerri and Alex, and the story behind their business.

Vegetable Medley Peaked Pie, Minington (mini Lamington—Aussie sponge cake covered in chocolate and grated coconut), and Anzac Biscuit.

BAHAMAS/JAPAN

The Lion’s Den Café: A legendary all-day breakfast joint founded by Bahamas native Ken Brooks. The café’s budget-friendly menu, curated by Ken’s wife and co-owner Junko, features breakfast classics, sandwiches, hot and cold drinks, and ‘Japaribbean’ dishes that honor the couple’s Japanese and Caribbean heritage. Click here to learn more about Ken, Junko, and the café.

Japaribbean Curry Vegetables served with Rice & Beans and Cornbread.

BRAZIL

Brazilliant Café & Catering: A vegan-friendly downtown Vancouver spot offering authentic Brazilian fare. Options include dine-in, pick-up, delivery, catering, and meal prep. Click here for more information.

Vegan Feijoada (a flavorful black bean stew and Brazil’s national dish) with vegan sausage, smoked tofu, carrots, fresh mushrooms, rice, sautéed kale, farofa (roasted cassava flour), tomato, onion, and parsley vinaigrette, and a slice of orange.

EGYPT

Koshari Zooba: A Port Moody gem serving delicious homemade Egyptian cuisine. The name is an homage to Egypt’s iconic national dish, koshari—a hearty combination of rice, vermicelli, pasta, brown lentils, chickpeas, and fried onions. Click here to learn more about Ahmed and Asmaa, the lovely husband-and-wife duo behind the business.

Koshari served with tomato-based garlic sauce, da’ah (garlic lemon vinegar dressing), hot sauce, chickpeas, and fried onions.

EL SALVADOR

El Caracol Café: A colorful, casual, and incredibly welcoming three-generation family restaurant serving Mexican, Honduran, and Salvadoran street fare. Click here to learn more about the owner, Maria, and her family’s story.

Quesadilla Salvadoreña: A Salvadoran cheese cake made with rice flour and topped with sesame seeds.

NETHERLANDS

Dutch Wooden Shoe Café: A breakfast and brunch spot opened by the late John Dys, the BC legend who introduced pannekoek (thin Dutch pancakes made without sugar or leavening agents) to Vancouver in 1975. Click here to learn more about Dys and the Dutch Wooden Shoe Café.

Huevos Rancheros Pannekoek with tomato, onion, corn, and green pepper mixed into the batter, topped with melted cheddar, salsa, two fried eggs, vegetarian chili, and sour cream.

SOUTH KOREA

Illo Kimbap Café: A must-visit Coquitlam joint offering healthy and tasty Korean food made with handmade, non-processed ingredients. Owner Bona Kwon created Illo Kimbap Café to spread the joy of kimbap (김밥)—a beloved Korean roll made with seaweed (김) and rice (밥). Click here to read more about Bona and Illo.

Soba Kimbap with pickled radish, burdock, cucumber, yubu (fried bean curd), and a rolled egg omelette, all enveloped in soba noodles instead of rice, with an outer layer of seaweed and egg crepe; Pumpkin Sando; and Honey Sweet Potato Tiramisu.

SYRIA

Tayybeh: A fantastic social enterprise, caterer, and restaurant that helps newcomer women find employment, financial independence, and social integration while sharing the food they know and love. They offer a delightful Traditional Syrian Brunch and a Middle Eastern High Tea that I can’t wait to try next time I’m in the area. Check out their website to learn more.

Traditional Syrian Brunch with Fatteh (pita chips and chickpeas in yogurt-tahini sauce), Manakeesh Mhamarra (flatbread with roasted red pepper spread), Labneh (strained yogurt), falafel, veggies, olives, and pickles.

January 10, 2025

bakery, Bon Macaron Patisserie, Brazilliant Café & Catering, desserts, Dutch Wooden Shoe Café, El Caracol Café, food, Illo Kimbap Café, Jamila’s Afghan Cuisine, Kanadell Japanese Bakery, Koshari Zooba, La Bakeria Bakeshop, La Bise Bakery, Level V Bakery, Metro Vancouver Bakeries, Metro Vancouver Restaurant Guide, Peaked Pies, Tayybeh, The Lion’s Den Café, Tokyo Mithaiwala, Transylvanian Traditions, travel, Wa-Bagel by Aburi