5 unusual ways to enjoy Mānuka honey

*Produced by SilverKris for Yobees Honey* 

Native to New Zealand, Mānuka honey has a dark brown colour and yields a full and creamy mouthfeel. It is especially sought after for its antibacterial properties and nutritional benefits. However, not all Mānuka honeys are made the same.

Yobees Honey is a a 100% New Zealand (Kiwi) owned and family operated company that specialises in producing pure, high-grade Mānuka honey. Johann Ander, the founder and co-owner of Yobees, explains, “Over the years, we heard many news reports about how Mānuka honey was being adulterated, blended with other types of honey and mixed with other unnatural ingredients. We wanted to prevent that from happening, so we decided to bypass the over-commercialised process and produce our own brand, where we have total control over the entire honey-making process.”

Johann Ander, founder and co-owner of Yobees Honey, with his wife

The result is Yobees Honey – a pure, concentrated honey that has been given the UMF™ stamp of approval.

Johann says, “The UMF™ standard is not just a rating. Our honey is put through a range of tests, audits and rigorous controls by an independent laboratory, which is recognised by New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries, to ensure it is 100% natural, unadulterated, New Zealand Mānuka honey. That’s a guarantee.”

The Unique Mānuka Factor, or UMF™, is a grading system that measures the natural markers found in Mānuka honey to assess its purity and quality. The unique antibacterial properties of Mānuka honey were first discovered in 1982 by Dr Peter Molan, then professor of Biological Sciences at Waikato University, and have since been studied and confirmed by other researchers around the world.

Johann adds, “High-grade Mānuka honey is incredibly rare. You’ll often get one good season every five years. Much like cheese and whisky, it can take up to three years for Mānuka honey with a grade of UMF20+ to fully mature.”

Johann and business partner Dan Maspani inspect their hives regularly to ensure their bees are happy, healthy and producing Mānuka honey

Taking full control of the production process has given Yobees and their customers a new level of confidence in the quality of their product. Johann describes how he and his staff are involved at every stage. “The way honey is usually processed, it passes through several companies before it’s packed and shipped, with the owners often having nothing to do with the process. For us, we prefer to get our hands dirty – from the planting of the Mānuka bushes and tending to the bees to packing each jar of honey for our customers.”

Having been fascinated by bees ever since he was a young boy and as a certified apiarist, Johann definitely knows his stuff. Below, he shares five unique ways you can use Mānuka honey in your daily life.

1. A natural replacement for sugar

Mānuka honey that is below UMF10+ is considered low grade, which means it is unlikely to provide any noticeable health benefits but it is still a high-quality monofloral honey and a great natural sweetener. Instead of sugar, add a teaspoon or two into your tea and coffee for that extra zing. In fact, when taken daily, the sucrose and glucose in Mānuka honey is known to boost energy levels.

Mānuka honey has a dark brown colour and is thick and creamy. Photo credit: Shutterstock

2. Treatment for cuts and burns

While honey has long been used by humans to treat wounds, it was only in recent decades that science established why. In 1982, New Zealand biochemist Peter Molan discovered MGO, a natural chemical in Mānuka honey that attacks harmful bacteria. According to Molan’s research, Mānuka honey has exceptional antibacterial properties and is particularly useful for treating cuts, burns and even complex wounds like ulcers.

3. Beauty face mask

Mānuka honey’s antibacterial properties also make it a good ingredient for a natural beauty treatment. If you have an inflammatory skin condition like acne, rosacea or eczema, try applying a pea-sized amount of honey on your skin and massage it into the sensitive spots before rinsing with warm water. If you find applying pure honey to be too intense for your skin, you can also dilute it with a few drops of water before application.

Mānuka honey that is below UMF10+ is considered low grade. Yobees Honey offers a whole range, from UMF10+ to UMF15+ and UMF20+

4. To soothe sore throats

If you’re suffering from a sore throat, try some Mānuka honey, which contains lots of bioactive compounds. Mix a teaspoon of Mānuka honey in a cup of warm, boiled water and add a squeeze of lemon juice. Gently sip the soothing beverage to coat the inner lining of your throat, where there may be discomfort and inflammation.

5. Raw supplement to boost the immune system

Mānuka honey with a grade of UMF10+ or UMF15+ is considered a medium-grade honey, which is great for everyday consumption. The higher the UMF™ grade, the more effective it is at killing bad bacteria. To reap the maximum health benefits, try taking one to two tablespoonfuls of pure Mānuka honey every day. You can take the honey as it is or you can incorporate it into your breakfast, whether that’s spreading it on a slice of toast, enjoying it with a dollop of yoghurt or drizzling it over your cereal.

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7 unconventional durian desserts in Singapore

Durian season in Singapore typically falls between June and September and fans of the fleshy, strong-smelling fruit have their favourite varieties and vendors. For those who are bored of eating the fruit in its natural form, there’s a wide variety of desserts that are made with durian and durian paste. Traditional treats such as durian pengat (a creamy dessert of durian pulp and coconut milk) and good ol’ durian ice cream are a dime a dozen, so we’ve sniffed out a few more unconventional confections for the adventurous.

Chalk Farm’s Durian Salat is a decadent take on the more traditional kueh salat

1. Durian Salat from Chalk Farm

This dessert is the perfect marriage between the Peranakan dessert kueh salat (a two-layered cake of coconut and pandan custard over sticky rice that’s tinted blue by butterfly pea extract) and the king of fruits. Chalk Farm’s durian salat (S$13 per slice, or S$165 for a 2kg cake) uses only the flesh of Mao Shan Wang or Wang Zhong Wang durians, considered premium varieties, for a rich and decadent custard layer that’s nicely balanced by the sticky and slightly salty glutinous rice underneath.

2. Durian Mile Crêpes from Classic Cakes

The classic French mille crêpe gets a durian makeover at Classic Cakes. Here, layers of thin crêpes are interspersed with pastry cream and a pure D24 durian filling (S$90 for the whole cake). The flavours are aromatic without being overpowering.

Goodwood Park’s durian offerings this year include this gorgeous galaxy cake

3. Durian Galaxy Ice-Cream Roll from Goodwood Park Hotel

Durian fans look forward to Goodwood Park Hotel’s annual durian fiesta (until 10 August, 2020) for its novel confections featuring the finest quality durians (only premium D24s and Mao Shan Wangs are used). This year’s highlight is the creamy ice-cream roll (S$15 per piece or S$62 for the roll, available at The Deli) – house-churned durian ice cream is encased in a delicate sponge roll that’s bright blue, to mimic a galaxy cake.

This refreshing and delicately crafted cake will charm dessert lovers

4. D24 Summer Dream from Goodwood Park Hotel

Another creation this year from Goodwood Park Hotel is an elegant cake of durian pulp and sponge cake layers topped with jelly studded with grapes, blueberries and edible flowers (S$72 for a whole cake, S$12 for a slice). The summery toppings make a nice contrast to the rich D24 durian.

5. Mao Shan Wang Tiramisu from Sinpopo Brand 

Sinpopo’s specialities are its locally inspired desserts, and the durian-flavoured take on the tiramisu is a bestseller for good reason. Here, pure Mao Shan Wang durian paste and mascarpone cheese are layered with coconut finger biscuits. The result is a rich, creamy and decadent treat sold in a conveniently lidded glass jar for S$19. Try the Cat Mountain King durian cake (from S$58) as well, in which Mao Shan Wang cream is served between gluten-free cake layers made with black glutinous rice flour.

Yanmi Yogurt’s beverages are creamy and flavourful

6. D24 Durian Yogurt from from Yanmi Yogurt

A delicious and healthier alternative to bubble tea, Yanmi Yogurt’s fresh yoghurt drinks will satisfy your sweet tooth – they’re made with imported Australian yoghurt, and the usual tapioca pearls are replaced with chewy purple rice imported from Mojiang, China. Try the D24 durian yoghurt drink (S$5.50), which consists of D24 durian paste and probiotic-rich yoghurt that is rich in vitamin B1, vitamin B2, folic acid and protein.

7. Durian Éclair and Strudel at Sunlife

This family-run bakery is helmed by a former SIA cabin crew member. Wendy Quek has helped her family’s durian puff business evolve from a heartland bakery to one whose confections are available on numerous online platforms. Its unique creations include a durian strudel (S$3 onwards), with 100% D24 durian paste layered between flaky puff pastry, a chewy Japanese-style D24 durian mochi (from S$7.50) and durian éclairs (S$7 for six mini éclairs), where the typical French-style crisp choux pastry is filled with pure D24 durian and glazed with chocolate.

SEE ALSO: 5 purple ube desserts to try around the network

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from SilverKris

How to take a Scandinavian vacation without leaving Singapore

Although Singapore is gradually opening up following the two-month circuit breaker, we’re still a while away from international travel. Thankfully, Singapore is a truly global city, and you don’t have to look too hard to immerse yourself in another culture.

In this series, we spotlight a few local establishments – from bakeries and restaurants to design stores and other retail outlets – where you can experience the best of destinations such as Scandinavia, Japan, Paris and the deep south of the United States, without ever taking off from Changi.

A row of colourful houses along the harbour in Copenhagen. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com

When it comes to getting your fix of Scandinavian culture, everyone knows to make a beeline for IKEA – whether it’s for the Swedish meatballs with lingonberry jam or minimalist, functional furniture for your home. But beyond the famed Swedish export, you may want to consider checking out these other spots.

Leckerbaer’s Danish butter cookies, known as småkager, are almost too pretty to eat

1. Leckerbaer

The famed Copenhagen pastry shop will open its first outlet outside of Denmark at Isetan Scotts. Known for its delicious, elevated versions of Danish butter cookies (småkager), the concept is helmed by pastry chefs Gabi and Jakob Baer Mogensen. Each butter cookie is topped with a variety of ingredients – from raspberry jam to blueberry meringue – and almost too pretty to eat. If cookies aren’t your thing, they also have other options such as the signature lemon & sea buckthorn tart, which consists of torched Italian meringue and lemon and sea buckthorn curd; or a savoury quiche tart with gruyere and Parma ham, served with a pickled onion and herb salad. You can get their bakes to-go or choose to dine at the 36-seater outlet.

Gorgeous vintage furniture finds at Noden

2. Noden

If you’re in the market for vintage Scandinavian pieces for your home makeover, Noden will likely have what you’re looking for. Founded by Danish furniture enthusiasts Marko Yeo and Tawan Conchonnet in 2013, the store carries a handpicked collection of pieces from the 1940s to 1960s, with an emphasis on items from the Danish Modern period. You’ll find everything from adjustable bookcases by Kai Kristiansen and a beautifully contoured dining chair set by Kai Lyngfeldt Larsen to teak easy chairs by Arne Vodder and a rare Brazilian rosewood coffee table by Severin Hansen. Noden also carries homeware such as diffusers, scented candles and framed art prints, as well as floor and table lamps that will add a Scandi-chic vibe to your home.

3. Grafunkt

Located at Funan shopping mall, Granfunkt carries well-crafted furniture, lighting, homeware and trinkets to spruce up your living quarters. Founded by partners Jefery Kurniadidjaja and Nathan Yong (recipient of the Singapore President’s Design Award, Designer of the Year 2008), the shop carries design brands from all over the world, including Copenhagen-based Muuto and HAY. The former is a furniture company known for expert craftsmanship and functional yet whimsical modern designs; while the latter is a Danish retail concept that creates innovative, high-quality home furnishings at a relatively accessible price point. Once you’re all shopped out, grab a seat at the in-store café for a coffee and an array of snacks, main courses and sweet treats.

Some of the colourful and nutritious Norwegian salmon dishes at Pink Fish

4. Pink Fish

Opened just last year at Jewel Changi Airport, this fast-casual restaurant specialises in all things to do with Norwegian salmon. Founded by Ronny Gjøse and Geir Skeie (winner of the prestigious Bocuse d’Or World award), the brand opened its first outlet in Oslo in 2017. The Singapore outpost marks their first international foray, and there are plans to enter the Chinese market soon. You’ll find a range of options on the menu that feature sustainably farmed salmon imported from Norway. We recommend the Norwegian poke bowl (raw salmon chunks with baked celeriac, spinach and an apple and mustard dressing); the Nordic stew (salmon, dill, fennel and orange); and, for a fun local twist, the Singaporean sambal burger (a salmon patty dressed with sambal slaw, pickled onion and salted egg). Fun fact: all dishes are served using biodegradable packaging, and even the cutlery is compostable.

A look from Ganni’s Pre-Fall 2020 Collection

5. Ganni at Club 21

Scandinavian fashion lovers, rejoice. As of 2019, local luxury retail concept Club 21 carries Danish cult favourite Ganni – its eye-catching threads have been spotted on countless celebrities, from Beyoncé to Pippa Middleton. The fashion label – run by husband-and-wife duo Nicolaj Reffstrup (CEO) and Ditte Reffstrup (creative director) – is stocked in over 20 countries worldwide, with 21 concept stores in Scandinavia alone. Under the direction of the Reffstrups, the brand has been steadily pushing out creative, colourful, contemporary and down-to-earth threads at a price point that might be higher than fast-fashion options but is far more affordable than luxury lines. You can shop pieces from Ganni’s latest collection at Club 21’s boutique at Forum the Shopping Mall or via their website.

The Spanish Chair, designed by Børge Mogensen for Fredericia, can be viewed at Danish Design’s showroom

6. Danish Design

Given Scandinavia’s global design fame, there are unsurprisingly multiple furniture stores in Singapore catering to fans of the region’s functional, minimalist and understated aesthetic. The aptly named Danish Design carries a who’s who of the Scandinavian design world. These include plush lounge chairs and cosy sofas by Finn Juhl for House of Finn Juhl; sleek dining table sets, cabinets and desks by Søren Nissen and Ebbe Gehl for the Naver Collection; and luxe lounge chairs and ottomans in royal blue and emerald green by Stine Gam and Enrico Fratesi of GamFratesi for Gubi. Prices are on the steeper end, but are well worth it for what you’re getting. You can browse their website or visit the Pasir Panjang showroom to find out more.

7. Fika Swedish Café & Bistro

Fancy Swedish food that’s a little different from the standard IKEA fare? Drop by Fika Swedish Café & Bistro along Beach Road for authentic and delicious Swedish grub. The cosy space consists of two floors, with sofas upstairs that are perfect for lounging. While the menu changes with the seasons, you’ll currently find a smorgasbord of distinctly Swedish dishes. Standouts include the pickled herring plate (with rye crispbread, boiled eggs, potatoes, red onion, caviar spread and cheddar cheese); the gravlax salad (cured salmon with mixed greens, feta cheese, capers and a honey-lemon vinaigrette) and, of course, Swedish meatballs (with baby potatoes, cream sauce, lingonberry jam and pickled cucumbers).

SEE ALSO: 6 Copenhagen hotels that pay homage to hygge

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How to select a safe, effective and affordable at-home teeth whitening kit

*Produced by SilverKris for Just Smile*

In these pandemic times, cosmetic trips to the dentist might not be at the top of your list of essential activities. But the easing of movement restrictions has meant more reunions, business meetings and other reasons to put your best foot forward with a pearly-white smile.

Jadyn Foo, the 30-year-old Singaporean founder of Just Smile, knows firsthand that not all teeth-whitening services are made the same. “The first time I tried it, I regretted doing it. My eyes became swollen and my teeth super sensitive. I couldn’t eat at all, and it hurt to brush,” she recalls.

Just Smile’s Premium Teeth Whitening Kit uses organic peracid PAP and Violet LED to deliver its whitening effect

The experience prompted Jadyn, who was already an entrepreneur, to further study the teeth whitening market and develop a new product with co-founder Vivi Ng in 2018. “People usually complain about tooth sensitivity, cost and how time-consuming teeth whitening can be,” she shares. “We knew the product had to be fast, effective, easy-to-apply and, mostly importantly, peroxide-free and not cause any sensitivity.”

In the past two years, Jadyn has learned a lot, taking customer feedback into account and fine-tuning her product, launching the new-formula Just Smile Premium Teeth Whitening Kit earlier this year. Here, she walks us through what factors to consider when picking an at-home teeth whitening kit.

 

Tooth sensitivities

Many at-home whitening kits contain hydrogen peroxide as a key ingredient. Believed to erode stains from coffee, smoking and food, this chemical unfortunately also sensitises the enamel of the teeth. This can cause discomfort in eating, brushing and even talking. If you have sensitive teeth, a hydrogen peroxide-free whitening kit is the way to go. Founded in 2018, Just Smile’s Premium Teeth Whitening Kit uses organic peracid PAP and Violet LED to deliver its whitening effects, which are easy on the enamel and do not result in pain or sensitivity.

Choose from three colours: pink, black or white

Time and budget

If you’re not comfortable going to the dentist for non-essential procedures, or if a clinic visit is too expensive and time-consuming, at-home whitening kits are a good alternative. But whitening sessions range from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the kit, and require anywhere from three to 10 consecutive days of use. Retailing at an affordable S$78, and requiring 25-minute sittings for six days in a row, Just Smile’s whitening procedure is among the least demanding in the market, while still promising to whiten teeth by 8–10 shades.

Professional and consumer reviews

It can be anxiety-inducing to select an over-the-counter product instead of visiting a professional at the dental clinic. Two markers should help put you at ease: consumer reviews, appearing on websites other than the brand’s own, as well as certifications by government or professional bodies. For instance, Just Smile’s Premium Tooth Whitening Kit is FDA-listed and tested and certified by world-leading certification service SGS.

Just Smile’s whitening procedure is said to whiten teeth by 8–10 shades

Dietary and ethical considerations

Finally, those with dietary restrictions such as gluten intolerance or dairy-free needs, or high ethical standards when it comes to animal testing may want to read the fine-print on their teeth whitening kits. Just Smile’s offering is 100% vegan and cruelty-free.

Having spent two years developing, improving and verifying her flagship product, Jadyn stands by it as one that ticks all the above boxes. Just Smile’s Premium Teeth Whitening Kit is a UV light-accelerated at-home kit that reduces stains from wine, coffee, soda and smoking. The kit comprises a proprietary Dual Light Technology Device as well as three whitening pens, to be used at home for 15–25 minutes for six consecutive days.

The post How to select a safe, effective and affordable at-home teeth whitening kit appeared first on SilverKris.

from SilverKris

Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Chartres - La restauration

The massive and painstaking restoration of this cathedral has created a storm of controversy. Many think that the cleaning has rendered the magnificent stained glass windows not nearly as effective when viewed against the centuries of grim and soot removed. Others celebrate seeing the incredible details uncovered. I will admit that seeing the restored portions against the darkened walls is startling. I will leave it up to each of you to decide which you prefer.

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via Paris Through My Lens