Introduction
This is Kiara Lin, your local tea-gremlin, and creative lead at The Gilded Teafling. You may have met me at one of the many events TGT has been at this year, and I’m so elated to begin this new series of charcu-tea-rie boards!
I was inspired to begin this series when one of our lovely Discord members asked what snacks would best accompany Eternal Devotion, which will be an installment releasing soon (if you all enjoy this series), but I wanted to catch our deliciously tropical blend before Summer fully leaves us: Enchanted Oasis. So lets set sail on this Charcu-tea-rie board, together!
Before I hop into the rough concepts -> final vision of Enchanted Oasis, let’s talk about “how do I come up with pairings”?
I feel flavors as certain parts of my body, and where it weighs in me.
I also ask myself, what would I be doing in an ideal world while sipping this blend?
What are some unique ways I can prepare this blend?
What meals would accompany them well?
For Example:
Enchanted Oasis = Coconut + Pineapple and white teas generate feelings of “top, floating, light, mind/head,” for me. This blend is spectacular iced, or even made as a fruit infusion, and even though I don’t drink personally, this would be a delicious way for those who drink alcohol to have an alternative flavoring for their beverages. I could drink this while on a hike, or at the beach. White teas also make delicious dessert teas because of how light they are.
Eternal Devotion = Pomegranate + Dark chocolate and black teas evoke feelings of “bottom, heart, sinking, legs” I imagine this being a robust, warm drink, to read by the fire by. This could be prepared with milk as the base, and one could add additional cacao nibs/chocolate, and maybe even some spices for a dark pomegranate hot chocolate. I also think this drink hits the spot for people who menstruate, when it’s that time of their cycle.
When picking snacks to pair, I try to find things that can keep up with that flavor, (for example, you don’t want something too dark/pulling down on a white tea, it needs to compliment and ride with, but it shouldn’t be an exact match.)
I also try to take into consideration that the accompanying bites should pair with each other well, not be a mismatch of treats that have no cohesion.
Another consideration is regional snacks… What is the tea’s origin, or the inspirations written into our 5E compatible modules that accompany the blends? For example: samosas as a main with “The Gilded Teafling Chai” is a great example, especially if you want to make a pseudo masala chai with it. (𓊝)
I understand that the economy is difficult right now, and throwing parties/reveling is difficult in a recession. I highly advise if you’re going to throw a tea party, assign everyone you invite to grab one or two items to pitch in, that way, everyone is building a community, and the board together!
Last tidbit! I have been vegetarian for 10 years, and all of my snack boards are vegetarian, with addendums written below with meats to add in (𓄯 ,) or items to substitute that do not contain animal product for our vegans ( ❦ .) Occasionally throughout the series, my amazing friend Giancarlo Garritano has provided insight on which meats will pair well with the boards I’ve assembled, and has thrown in an ingredient or two to round out the boards.
I thought it only natural that my first blend would be a tea requested of me in the Discord, Enchanted Oasis. This tea blend is a light, sweet blend that would be delicious iced, and I could imagine drinking on a warm summer day, or infusing with alcohol (if I partook in alcohol,) as an alternative to other flavorings.
Charcu-TEA-rie Board
KEY:
𓊝 - I wanted to pay homage to Puerto-Rican cuisine, the birthplace of the Piña Colada. Additionally, I infused some Pacific Islander favorites as our module draws inspiration from themes of an enchanted oasis isle. I won’t spoil, but you can play this seafarer’s trove today!
𓄯 - Meats to add in.
❦ -Vegan substitutes.
Let’s paddle on over… I give to you, my Enchanted Oasis Charcu-tea-rie board!
I invite you to wash away with the ocean waves with this light, fragrant selection.
MAIN:
-
Roasted Bell Peppers, Potato, Pineapple and Tofu Skewers.
-
𓄯 To add meat, replaced the tofu with chicken marinated with pineapple, chilies, and topped with lime!
-
𓊝 Seafood Mofongo (Puerto Rican Cuisine) is a condensed ball of plantains, broiled in condiments (chicharron, garlic, butter, )with shrimp, and vegetables placed on top.
-
❦ To make vegan, you can use tofu and mushrooms in lieu of seafood, but it may not have the same zing, though mushrooms give an umami taste.
SAVORIES:
-
Thai lime & chili almonds
-
Cassava Chips, Plantain chips, or Tostones
-
Snap Peas, Cucumbers, Bell Peppers
-
Goat Cheese (with chives or regular!)
-
Hummus De Gandules, with tahini, and spices. (𓊝 Puerto Rican Twist on Hummus!)
-
𓄯 If you eat meat, Salchichon, a spiced, spanish salami
SWEETS:
-
Mango Mochi ice cream (or some fresh/freeze dried mango)
-
Freeze dried banana slices
-
Coconut Macaroons (NOT macarons, 𓊝 Pacific Islander in homage to module)
-
Macadamia nuts
-
Coconut Milk Rolls
-
Almond Cookies
-
Dried Blood Orange, Kiwi, and of course Pineapple
-
For our adventurers of drinking age: enchanted oasis rum balls. (Nilla Wafers, White Rum, Enchanted Oasis Tea, powdered sugar,)
-
❦ To make vegan, you can use plant based milk/apple sauce for the baked goods
The total for the board (additions excluded,) came out to around $60, and feeds 10-15! Fruit medleys, and dried fruit are luxury items, and if you wish to cut down on costs, you can dry fruit on your own!
The most expensive items include the cassava chips, dried fruit, and plantains if you wanted to make the Mofongo. This spread is great for a beach/pool party, playing our 5E Seafarer’s Trove module, karaoke, or even to just make spring cleaning a fun activity. We personally soaked up some of the last days of summer at a pool party!
When making this board, I wanted something that would compliment this blend iced or hot, and wanted to call out and uplift the naturally fruity and sweet concoction. Due to my chronic health conditions, I am unable to drink alcohol, but I wanted this board to evoke ”getting caught in the rain ☔︎︎,” and “the feel of the ocean ♪ ” (teehee!)
Background
𓊝 - While Puerto Rico is primarily rooted in coffee, they excel in herbal wellness teas, and is the rum capital of the world. They are home to the coqui, a tiny singing frog, which we think aligns perfectly with our Mama Frog sticker.
Puerto Rico, while birthplace of many wonderful drinks, talents, (such as Bad Bunny, Lin Manuel Miranda, Jorge Rivera Herrans,) and wonders of nature, has been under colonization since near its birth. In 1493, Christopher Columbus wiped out the indigenous Taíno peoples, and from there they were under Spanish conquest for four hundred years. While the Taíno language is extinct, (an Arawakan tongue,) many words that are commonplace today are from Taino language, some of these being Canoa (Canoe,) Barbacoa (Barbeque,) Hamaca (Hammock,) Papaya, Huracan (Hurricane,) Tabaco (Tobacco,) Iwana (Iguana,) Savanna (Savannah,) Manatee, and more! These words originated in Taino language, were adapted by Spanish, and then were adapted by English. In 1898, the US claimed Puerto Rico in the Spanish-American war, where they are still a territory. Puerto Rico is one of the modern day areas many USA students do not realize is still colonized, as they are often mis-taught that colonies are a thing of 1787. Fortunately, with modern media, and the world’s knowledge being at our fingertips, you can now check out Good Bunny Foundation here to see how you can positively impact the lives of Puerto Rican youth looking to make their artistic mark on the world.
Ways to enjoy your board: this board was designed as a plate of fingerfood for the “grab and go,” and if you wanted to get fancy, you could make some dole-style-whip/greek yogurt for the fruits, or just enjoy as is!
This board takes me to the port of Utagoe, the fictional setting of our Seafarer’s Trove 5E compatible module. I can imagine sitting around the campfire by the seaside, with some of our beloved, adorable NPC’s, (no spoilers for travelers who wish to play!) Did you like the mini history lesson? I’d love to dive more into the origins of the themes I am centering each board around, so if you enjoy it, let me know. You can check out our entire apothecary here as well, to me know what blend I should do next time, in the comments below.
☕︎ Clink!
Food preparation assistance by Giancarlo Garritano.