Chances are that most, if not all, the spices lined up in your kitchen racks right now have not been packaged and transported sustainably, are not produced ethically and have been grown using pesticides… And let’s not even get started on quality!

For a long time, consumers haven’t really paid attention to how sustainable spices are. After all, despite being an important ingredient, spice ranks low in the produce hierarchy – there are bigger things to worry about. But things are changing; with consumers starting to take more notice and focusing on all aspects of the food industry, spices are increasingly getting roped into conversations regarding sustainability.

Similarly, the values of buyers are also changing. In a recent survey, a significant majority of respondents said they were ready to pay up to 35 percent more for a product that is environmentally sustainable.

See also: 10 Useful Food Sustainability Terms

What are sustainable spices?

While there is no strict definition on how a spice becomes labelled as sustainable, to put it simply, we can say that it’s sustainable if it is of high quality, ethically produced and strives to achieve a net-zero carbon footprint.

First, let’s look at production. High-quality, sustainable spices are usually single-origin, meaning they come from a single place – a single farm or region – as opposed to the blends prevalent in most supermarket brands. Keeping things single-origin preserves the spice’s flavour and gives consumers a fresher, more intense experience.

Another term you will see is ‘organic spices’, which means exactly what you think – spices that were grown without the use of chemicals, preservatives or pesticides. Aside from the growing process, how spices are bought from farmers is also important. The hallmark of sustainable spices is direct trade with farmers. Conventional spices are bought through indirect trade and as such, a company goes through a chain of distributors, exporters, importers and other parties to secure their order.

Direct trade results in a more equitable relationship with the actual spice producers themselves, giving them a larger slice of the revenue instead of losing money through a plethora of middlemen. Sounds familiar? Indeed, it does – fair trade for the win!

And finally, a low carbon footprint. Another benefit of dealing directly with farmers is that the supply chain is significantly shortened, thus saving on transport costs and emissions.

Sustainable spices are also packaged differently than their conventional cousins. For instance, they’ll use recyclable materials for their packaging or encourage you to bring your own containers – as with Hong Kong bulk stores like Live Zero and Slowood, or even century-old chefs’ favourite Yuan Heng Spice Company – to maintain carbon neutrality.

See also: 8Shades Of… Tamsin Thornburrow Of Live Zero

Where to buy sustainable spices in Hong Kong?

If you’re new to the world of sustainable spices, the first step would be to visit one of the many farmers’ markets Hong Kong has to offer. The easiest to visit would probably be the farmers’ market at the Star Ferry Central Pier, which currently runs on Wednesdays and Sundays, but there are also farmers’ markets in Tai Po, Mei Foo and Fanling.

Aside from the bulk buy retailers mentioned earlier, another option is to hit up SpiceBox Organics in the Mid-Levels, Kennedy Town and Tseung Kwan O for a variety of organic spices; they even have their own in-store vegetarian cafés for a quick bite or drink during your shop!

There’s also Regency Spices, a Hong Kong-based online store that specialises in sustainable spices. You can opt for your order to be packaged in recyclable paper to make it even more eco-friendly.

But the best way to access sustainable spices? Grow them! There’s no better alternative to fresh seasoning than by plucking something delicious straight out of your spice and herb box. Try looking around Prince Edward Flower Market to see what you can grow in your kitchen, window box, balcony or garden – and enjoy!

See also: 8Shades Of… Michelle Hong Of Rooftop Republic

Sign up for the 8Shades weekly newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox!

The post Spice Up Your Life: A Guide To Sustainable Spices appeared first on 8Shades.

Whether you’re looking to help at a one-off event or trying to incorporate regular volunteering work into your everyday life, here are six green opportunities around Hong Kong that might interest you:

WWF

Focusing on biodiversity, the oceans, wetlands, wildlife and community education, the World Wildlife Fund Hong Kong (WWF) aims to make Hong Kong the region’s most sustainable city.

WWF volunteering applications are always open, with the organisation mainly looking for part-time volunteers to help run their educational tours at Mai Po Nature Reserve. Applicants with a science background are preferred and successful volunteers will need to take a few training sessions before becoming qualified to lead tours.

Sign up to volunteer for WWF here

The Green Earth

The Green Earth was founded in 2016 with the aim of spreading eco-awareness as a core value for all. This charitable organisation is responsible for looking after many of the recycling points that you may have noticed sprouting up throughout Hong Kong in recent years.

The Green Earth runs education seminars, second-hand clothing drives, tree planting and various other eco activities to inform and educate public – and it’s exactly these kinds of events they need volunteers like you to help with!

Sign up to volunteer for The Green Earth here

SPCA Hong Kong

If you’re more of an animal person, how about volunteering for the SPCA Hong Kong? This charitable organisation has been rescuing and taking care of abandoned, sick and injured animals as well as re-homing and de-sexing animals and enforcing animal welfare laws ever since it was founded in Hong Kong, back in 1903.

SPCA are always looking for volunteers for kennel upkeep, animal care and foster parenting sick or injured animals. They also welcome people with other special skills like photography, writing or art to volunteer their talents.

Sign up to volunteer for SPCA here

Hong Kong Cleanup

If you’re sick of seeing beaches filled with rubbish, why not join one of Hong Kong Cleanup’s events? Hong Kong Cleanup was established in 2000 as the city’s first communal cleanup and has evolved into the region’s largest environmental volunteer event – having removed over 10 million kilograms of rubbish from Hong Kong’s shorelines along the way!

You can volunteer to join one of Hong Kong Cleanup’s regular free #TeamSeas Community Cleanup events, part of the world’s largest cleanup initiative organised in partnership with international environmental group Ocean Conservancy. Cleanups are held on various weekends throughout the month – check the calendar for details on the next one.

Sign up to volunteer for Hong Kong Cleanup here

Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden

Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden (KFBG) is a longstanding Hong Kong institution that was originally founded by the Kadoorie family in 1956 to help farmers in the rural Tai Po area. It’s now a sanctuary for displaced animals and birds not native to Hong Kong, as well as a botanical garden and farm open to the public.

KFBG runs educational tours to raise awareness on ecological and sustainability issues. You can volunteer in various areas including Fauna Conservation to help care for rescued animals; Sustainable Living & Agriculture to work at KFBG’s weekly organic farmers’ market in Central; and Floral Conservation to help with planting, gardening, recording plants and other scientific research.

Sign up to volunteer for KFBG here

Green Power

Founded in 1988, Green Power is a charitable institution that promotes environmental education in Hong Kong. They manage several projects across the city, most notably the Sha Lo Tung Conservation Scheme that aims to preserve the area’s freshwater wetlands and restore its ecological biodiversity.

They also run an urban greening programme to plant more trees around the city, a Butterfly Surveyor scheme to record and protect Hong Kong’s butterfly population, and an annual Green Power Hike to raise funds while encouraging an appreciation of nature.

Sign up to volunteer for Green Power here

See also: 8 Endangered Marine Species In Asia – And How You Can Help

Sign up for the 8Shades weekly newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox!

The post 6 Green Volunteering Opportunities in Hong Kong appeared first on 8Shades.

Talks about climate change can be overwhelming and anxiety-inducing, so addressing the issue in movies can help reach a broader public and raise awareness among people that might otherwise not be interested in learning about this crucial topic.

From older documentaries to the latest blockbusters, here is a list of the best climate change movies to watch this year.

1. Don’t Look Up (2021)

First on our list of the best climate change movies is Don’t Look Up starring Leonardo DiCarpio. The record-breaking Netflix film tells the story of a science professor and his younger student discovering a fast-approaching comet that is set to reach the Earth and will likely destroy it. Together, they need to convince the government as well as the public of the existential threat and the catastrophic consequences it may have on humanity. However, the task is more difficult than they think when no one takes them seriously.

The team struggles to break through the craziness of social networks, political inaction, and lack of media attention. Indeed, the comet approaching the planet is an ambivalent metaphor for climate change and its disastrous effects. The film also serves as a reminder that politicians are clearly not doing enough and if they don’t act quickly, it will be too late to save our planet. 

See also: ‘Don’t Look Up’: Leonardo Dicaprio’s Advice for Tackling Climate Change

2. Princess Mononoke (1997)

Despite being released 25 years ago, the Japanese movie Princess Mononoke remains one of the most beloved and relevant movies about climate change. On a journey to find the cure for a demonic curse, the protagonist Ashitaka finds himself in the middle of a war between the forest gods and Tatara, a mining colony. 

This hard-hitting political anime depicts the consequences of destroying nature and humanity’s inability to live in harmony, sending a strong message that, sadly, is still very much relevant today. 

3. The Day The Earth Stood Still (2008)

Next on our list is a remake of the 1951 classic science-fiction film about a human-like alien visitor and his giant robot counterpart who land on Earth. The alien identifies himself as Klaatu and says he has come to save the planet. Despite seeing him as a threat, Dr Helen Benson, who was summoned to a US military facility, decides to facilitate his escape. However, she learns that he intends to eradicate humans from Earth. Why? Because of human activities and climate change.

In the 21st-century version, humans are destroying the Earth’s environment, and the aliens have come to save the planet and its species, with the exception of humankind. The movie does a great job at shedding light on the damage humanity has done and continues to do, while delivering an urgent warning of what the future holds for us.

4. Before The Flood (2016)

One of the best climate change movies is Before the Flood, a collaboration between actor and Earth Alliance co-founder Leonardo DiCaprio and National Geographic. Taking viewers around the world, the documentary features poignant accounts of how different stakeholders are affected by climate change through deforestation, rising sea levels and other human activities.

The documentary calls for world leaders to fight for a more sustainable future and arms viewers with solutions they can implement into their lives, from reducing meat consumption to voting for leaders who will initiate positive environmental change.

5. Eating Our Way to Extinction (2021)

Next up is a documentary narrated and executive produced by Academy Award-winning actress Kate Winslet. This enlightening movie explores how the global food industry is hastening climate change through a host of unsustainable practices.

Through undercover footage and the testimony of indigenous peoples, Eating Our Way to Extinction will undoubtedly change your perception of food and help you understand how the modern industry is compromising food security.

6. 2040 (2019)

If you’re looking for something less grim, 2040 is a refreshingly optimistic pick. Rather than focusing on the urgency of problems, this solution-oriented documentary depicts the story of an Australian dad who imagines what life could be like for his four-year-old daughter in the future.

Much of the film is dedicated to highlighting the technological breakthroughs and creative alternatives to tackle the challenges of climate change – from renewable energy like rooftop solar to regenerative agricultural practices and the versatile use of seaweed to fight the looming issue of food insecurity. 

See also: 8 Books About Climate Change and Sustainability to Read in 2022

7. Burning (2021)

Academy-Award winning Australian filmmaker Eva Orner takes a look at the unprecedented, catastrophic and deadly Australian bushfires of 2019-2020 known as ‘Black Summer’.

Narrating the story from the perspective of those directly involved and affected by the fires as well as activists and scientists, the documentary exposes the Australian government’s inaction and the irreversible damage that these catastrophic events left behind, shining a light on the global issue of climate change.

8. The Day After Tomorrow (2004)

This 2004 masterpiece by Roland Emmerich tells the story of climatologist Jack Hall, whose research highlighted the possibility of a superstorm developing and setting off catastrophic natural disasters across the world. Similarly to how DiCaprio’s character is treated in Don’t Look Up, Hall is faced with judgment as UN officials and world leaders ignore his warnings of a looming tragedy. 

The Day After Tomorrow depicts a catastrophic climate event that is not as far from reality as we might think. In the movie, the Atlantic Ocean grinds to a halt, throwing the Earth into an ice age. As evidence of the ocean’s water-circulation system weakening increases, we cannot exclude that something similar might actually happen in the future.

9. An Inconvenient Truth (2006)

An Inconvenient Truth is one of the seminal and best environmental films ever made. The film recounts former US Vice President Al Gore’s campaign in 2000 to educate people about global warming, making the documentary stand out in its experimental narration. This lecture-like presentation on climate change, Gore claims, has been delivered to worldwide audiences more than 1,000 times.

Apart from detailed graphs, flow charts and visuals, the slide show also collates personal anecdotes such as Gore’s college education with an early climate expert. The film concludes with Gore stressing how “each one of us is a cause of global warming, but [….] the solutions are in our hands.” 

10. David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet (2020)

In what David Attenborough calls his “witness statement” for the environment, A Life on Our Planet guides viewers through the naturalist’s 60-year career and demonstrates the devastating changes our planet has experienced in his lifetime. Originally released on Netflix in 2020, the 85-minute documentary presents some pretty grim predictions for the future should humanity continue on its current path, including a sixth mass extinction and a 4°C global temperature rise that will render large parts of the Earth uninhabitable.

Atypical of his usual nature documentaries, Attenborough takes a more critical tone in Our Planet, condemning humans’ treatment of the natural world – which makes his message of hope all the more effective, as he discusses solutions for combating the climate crisis at the conclusion of the film.

See also: David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet’ Review

This article was originally written and published by Earth.Org and is republished here as part of an editorial partnership.

Sign up for the 8Shades weekly newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox!

The post 10 Climate Change Movies To Watch in 2022 appeared first on 8Shades.

Reusable Bottles

As much as I’d like to say that you only need one water bottle, my experience has proven otherwise! Sometimes you need different bottles for different occasions and different weather conditions. With that in mind, here are my top choices of reusable bottles:

Vacuum Insulated Bottles

A cold drink in the summer is a must – as is a hot drink when it’s freezing or you’re not feeling well. A vacuum insulated bottle is an absolute lifesaver during these times and there are many amazing brands now offering lightweight reusable bottles that won’t break your shoulder.

S’well

S’well is a trusted brand with bottles, travellers, tumbler mugs and various other models. They have some cute designs and a triple-insulation design that keeps drinks cold for 36 hours and hot for 18 hours.

Available from Thorn & Burrow

24 Bottles

24 Bottles understands that good aesthetics can help people adopt healthier habits, and this Bologna-born brand is now sold across the globe. They have an insulated water bottle and cup line in printed designs, mattes and metallic finishes. There’s even the option to engrave your bottle and make it even more personalised.

Available from Slowood

Foldable Water Bottles

There’s no denying that water bottles take up space, which is why you need a collapsible bottle in your life! They’re perfect for backpackers, runners or just about anyone who doesn’t like carrying a bulky water bottle but still wants something to hand.

Nomader

The Nomader collapsible water bottle was born out of a frequent traveller’s need for a bottle that’s durable and easy to carry. Their bottles are freezable, heat-resistant and dishwasher-safe, plus they offer a lifetime warranty.

Available from Amazon

Vapur

Designed for those with active lifestyles, Vapur call themselves an “anti-bottle”. Their foldable bottles are 87 percent lighter than regular bottles and are dishwasher safe. They offer several different foldable bottle designs, ranging from 0.5l to 1.5l capacity, and even have a specific line designed for pets. Meanwhile, their 300ml “Incognito” line was designed as a modern-day flask for carrying alcohol!

Available from Vapur

Hiking Water Bottles

If you’re going on a proper adventure, you might want something more than a foldable water bottle – and there are several speciality bottles that make an even better fit for hiking.

LifeStraw

The LifeStraw bottle is a popular hiking companion because it allows you to refill from rivers and lakes without having to worry about catching a bug. The straw has a filter that not only protects against bacteria and parasites, but also from organic chemicals, chlorine, microplastics, dirt and sand. Even better, each LifeStraw bottle sold provides safe water for a child in need for a year, thanks to the company’s Give Back programme.

Available from APA Outdoor Shop

Reusable Bubble Tea Cups & Coffee Cups

If you’re a bubble tea lover, you should really think about getting a dedicated reusable bubble tea cup. All those single-use plastic cups and straws can really add up and there are now plenty of reusable cups that can still show off your drink, giving you that typical BBT experience.

Elephant Cuppa

Elephant Cuppa hails from Taiwan, just like our beloved bubble tea drink. It has a built-in slit and comes with two straw sizes for boba and regular drinks. The wide mouth and leakproof lid makes it easy to clean, and it’s surprisingly lightweight too.

Available from Elephant Cuppa

Reusable BBT Cup

The Reusable BBT Cup is a Vancouver-based company founded by a couple who loves bubble tea. They have three designs: the original, bamboo lid and leak-proof insulated cup. Their shipping is plastic-free and the cups are made-to-order, which does slightly lengthen processing and shipping time but ensures minimal waste along the way.

Available from Reusable BBT Cup

See also: 8 Reusable Bubble Tea Bottles for Your Boba Addiction

Where to find water refill stations in Hong Kong

Now that you’re armed with the perfect reusable water bottle, you just need to find a water source to refill your bottle. Here are some helpful apps and websites for finding refill locations wherever you are:

Water For Free: The Water for Free app collects and lists all the water fountain locations across the whole of Hong Kong.

Tap: Tap has a database of over 50,000 water refill points across 7,300 cities around the world.

Refill: Refill is a UK-based app with a global map of places offering free water refills, plus coffee shops that give discounts for bringing your own cup.

See also: Where to Refill Your Water Bottle in Hong Kong

Sign up for the 8Shades weekly newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox!

The post 8Shades’ Best Reusable Water Bottles For Every Occasion appeared first on 8Shades.

Forget pork lard and double-yolks; these days, there are all kinds of mooncakes available to tickle your fancy, including plenty of more planet-friendly vegan, plant-based options. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up seven of the best vegan mooncakes in Hong Kong to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival this year, so let’s dig in!

See also: How To Have A Sustainable Mid-Autumn Festival

Green Common

Green Common can always be relied on to have some delish vegan goodies up their sleeve for every special occasion – and Mid-Autumn Festival is no exception. Take your pick from vegan custard or low-sugar green tea mooncakes, both made with Miyoko’s award-winning organic vegan butter. Even better, their paper packaging is plastic-free and completely compostable too.

Available at Green Common

The Cakery

The Cakery’s beautifully-presented mooncake box would make an ideal gift for any vegan friends and family and features an assortment of four colourful, creative flavours – yuzu blueberry, hojicha chocolate, black sesame lava and mango lava. In addition to being 100 percent vegan, these Instaworthy mooncakes are also gluten- and preservative-free.

Available at The Cakery

Bien Caramélisé

Plant-based patisserie Bien Caramélisé has combined classic Cantonese techniques with contemporary flair to create their first ever mooncake set. Their four innovative flavours – pecan and apricot, pineapple and apple jam, local young ginger and osmanthus, and lotus with salted “yolk” – are totally plant-based and made with zero artificial flavourings or preservatives. They’ve also collaborated with local tea brand, MoreTea, to offer special tea pairing sets… sounds like the perfect afternoon tea to us!

Available at Bien Caramélisé

Conspiracy Chocolate

One for all you chocoholics – homegrown chocolate label, Conspiracy Chocolate, have worked their magic to produce their own unique take on tradition with their fully vegan, gluten-free chocolate mooncake. This decadent delight features a coating of white chocolate; a rich ganache made from red dates, almonds and dark chocolate; and a fruity filling of homemade mango and yuzu jam, seasoned with green Sichuan pepper.

Available at Conspiracy Chocolate

Foodcraft

Only two grams of sugar per mooncake… it sounds too good to be true, right? Wrong! Foodcraft’s dairy-free, gluten-free, low-sugar, plant-based mooncakes are the ultimate feelgood Mid-Autumn treat, and feature zero cholesterols or trans-fats. Coated with an Oreo-inspired crust, they come in four different fillings – vanilla, raspberry, blueberry and citrus – and utilise eco-friendly, recyclable packaging.

Available at Foodcraft

Essentia by Holger Deh

Is there no limit to renowned pastry chef Holger Deh’s plant-based powers? His sophisticated plant-based patisserie Essentia has crafted a stunning box of mooncakes that takes inspiration from the autumn harvest, with four flavour varieties in each set – green tea, red bean, coffee and sweet potato.

Available at Essentia by Holger Deh

Cocoparadise

We’re going coconuts for these Mid-Autumn creations! Showcasing coconut milk, butter and sugar, Cocoparadise’s mooncakes are completely vegan, flourless, grain-free, gluten-free and handmade without preservatives, fillers, additives or refined sugars. They come in two flavours – coconut and black sesame mochi, and Thai tea and coconut milk mochi – and while they’ve sold out online, a limited number will be available at Cocoparadise’s upcoming ESPRIT pop-up shop. Run, don’t walk!

Available at Cocoparadise ESPRIT Pop-Up, 3/F, 42-46 Russell Street, Causeway Bay from 29 August-9 September on a first-come, first-served basis

See also: The Best Vegan Cakes in Hong Kong

Sign up for the 8Shades weekly newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox!

The post Hong Kong’s Best Vegan Mooncakes To Celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival appeared first on 8Shades.

Despite this, nut lovers among us still have plenty of more sustainable options to choose from. Brazil nuts, walnuts, chestnuts and hazelnuts all have a relatively low rate of water consumption compared to almonds, cashews and pistachios.

Fortunately for us, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, walnuts and chestnuts are all easily accessible to buy in Hong Kong! If you’re looking to switch up your almond or cashew recipes with these more sustainable nuts, here are some ideas to get you started.

See also: How Sustainable Are Nuts?

Brazil Nuts

Brazil nuts have a smooth buttery texture and are one of the most energy-dense nuts you can find. Their benefits include helping to regulate your thyroid gland, reducing inflammation and supporting your immune system.

It’s hard not to love a good nut butter. This Brazil Nut Butter recipe takes less than 20 minutes to make – simply roast the nuts, drop them into a processor and blend!

Get the recipe here

Brazil nuts also have an extremely satisfying texture, so they are perfect for adding to cakes and breads for that extra nutty crunch. We have our eye on this Brazil Nut Banana Bread!

Get the recipe here

Walnuts

Walnuts are very high in fibre and omega-3 fats. Walnuts are also a good source of antioxidants, meaning they can help fight against conditions such as heart disease and Alzheimer’s, which are caused by oxidative stress.

Living in Hong Kong, most of us are probably familiar with traditional Chinese walnut cookies. This vegan, gluten-free version of the local favourite offers a healthier, plant-based alternative while maintaining the unique walnut-y fragrance we all know and love.

Get the recipe here

Walnuts are also a common ingredient in vegan cheese – which is why we think this Walnut Cheese Vegan Sauce is going to be absolutely delicious. All you need is five ingredients and five minutes to prepare the sauce! Use it in pasta, or as a dip for a summer platter.

Get the recipe here

Chestnuts

Chestnuts are a good source of potassium and fibre. The fibre in chestnuts acts as a prebiotic and helps to maintain a healthy gut environment.

Though you might immediately think of traditional chestnut stuffing and fillings, chestnuts are actually extremely versatile – their starchy texture and subtle sweetness makes them ideal in a variety of sweet and savoury dishes.

This Chestnut, Mushroom and Thyme Casserole reminds us how easy it is to cook up a sumptuous dish with basic ingredients. The nutty sweetness of the chestnuts works extremely well with the mushrooms and the umami flavour of miso, creating a divine sauce for the mashed potato to soak up.

Get the recipe here

For an Asian-inspired chestnut dish, we would go for this Braised Mushroom, Chestnut and Tofu Bowl. This bowl is packed full of essential nutrients and offers an extremely balanced meal – from the protein in the tofu and mushrooms to the healthy carbohydrate in the chestnuts.

Get the recipe here

Hazelnuts

If you’re looking for ways to increase omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids in your diet, hazelnuts are the way to go! Aside from this, hazelnuts are also high in vitamin E, manganese and copper.

This vegan, gluten-free Nutella Hazelnut Spread takes the ‘guilt’ away from the guilty pleasure of Nutella. Add it to your morning toast, yoghurt or smoothies; believe us, it will brighten up any rainy day.

Get the recipe here

This moist and soft Hazelnut Vegan Cake is also pretty divine – think Ferrero Rocher in the form of a loaf!

Get the recipe here

See also: 8 Plant-based Snacks to Make This Summer

Sign up for the 8Shades weekly newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox!

The post 8 Sustainable Nut Recipes To Keep You Energised This Summer appeared first on 8Shades.

The creators of Hong Kong’s popular food rescue app are experts at reducing food waste and will be sharing a cocktail recipe with us every Friday that utilises some of the most common (and possibly, expiring) items in your pantry.

Have some leftover rosé stuck in the fridge? Well, here’s our hack for using up those rosé remnants… to make a delicious Rosé Frozé!

LEFTOVER ROSÉ FROZÉ

INGREDIENTS / MAKES 4

• Leftover rosé wine – 2 cups
• Frozen strawberries – 1 ½ cups
• Granulated sugar – 2 tbsp
• Ice cubes – 1 cup

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Pour the leftover rosé into a sheet pan and freeze for at least 6 hours.
2. Add the frozen strawberries and sugar to a pot, and heat it up with moderate heat until the sugar dissolves and the strawberries defrost.
3. Turn the heat off and infuse for about 30 minutes.
4. Separate the strawberries and syrup, then cover and chill.
5. Blend the strawberries, frozen rosé and ice together until smooth.
6. Add strawberry syrup to taste then serve!

It’s as simple as that! Follow @chompfoodwaste on Instagram and download their app (Apple/Android) to take an active part in reducing food waste in Hong Kong and beyond.

Sign up for the 8Shades weekly newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox!

The post Zero Waste Cocktail: Rosé Frozé appeared first on 8Shades.

This is because nuts are such a powerhouse – a versatile food source that can help keep plant-based diets nutrient dense. Nuts are also a good source of healthy fats and nutrients, including vitamin E and magnesium.

At the same time, there are many articles out there claiming that nuts are actually ‘not sustainable’, mainly because nut farming requires large amounts of water. So, does that mean we should be limiting our nut consumption? And are there certain types of nuts that are worse for the environment? With this article, we’ll help break down some of these issues for you!

Some Nuts Require a Lot of Water to Farm

Almonds are notorious for their high water consumption during farming. In California, one of the worlds’ biggest almond producers, it takes 6,098 litres of water to produce one litre of almond milk. So much water is used in California for almond farming that some people have even blamed droughts there on almond farming.

According to the Water Footprint Network, almonds, pistachios and cashews have some of the highest water footprints – the amount of water used during farming of the crop – of any type of nut:

• Almonds require 16,095m³ of water per tonne of nuts
• Cashews require 14,218m³ of water per tonne of nuts
• Pistachios require 11,363m³ of water per tonne of nuts

Not all Nuts are Created Equal

Fortunately, not all nuts are as water-intensive as almonds. Nut farming varies greatly according to the type of nut and region it is grown in. For example, Brazil nuts have an average water footprint of just 253m³ of water per tonne.

Hazelnuts – yes, one of the key ingredients in Nutella and Ferrero Rocher – are also a relatively sustainable nut. On top of a lower water footprint of 10,515m³ water per tonne, they require minimal upkeep and survive in harsh environments. Other comparatively more sustainable nuts include chestnuts and walnuts.

The way a nut is grown also affects its water footprint. Groundnuts like almonds, legumes like peanuts and tree nuts like macadamias are all farmed in different ways. Peanuts, for instance, have long roots that can reach deep into the soil, meaning they are more resourceful at using water and therefore, need less water during farming.

That said, it’s important to put things in context. Although some types of nuts may consume more water than others, overall nuts still have a much lower carbon footprint than animal proteins!

Where To Buy Nuts In Hong Kong

If you’re interested in buying some high-quality nuts with lower water footprints, here are a few of our favourite stores to stock up in Hong Kong:

The Store HK

This online health food store sells high-quality, organic food products including various nut brands.

Available at The Store HK

Regency Spices

A Hong Kong-based online retailer offering top quality spices and dry ingredients, including a variety of nuts; you can opt for your order to be packaged in recyclable paper bags too.

Available at Regency Spices

Live Zero

This zero-waste store sells a wide range of packaging-free organic nuts for bulk buying; they have physical stores in Sai Ying Pun, Sai Kung and Quarry Bay, or you can order online from their website.

Available at Live Zero

See also: 8Shades of… Tamsin Thornburrow of Live Zero

Sign up for the 8Shades weekly newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox!

The post Going Nuts: How Sustainable Are Nuts? appeared first on 8Shades.

Invisible Company create amazing alternatives to traditional single-use plastic packaging, including their water-soluble, biodegradable #INVISIBLEBAG – and they’ve even made an #INVISIBLEPOOBAG especially for cleaning up after your furry friends too!

We talk to Devana and Flavien about their favourite eco-friendly products, why hiking inspired Invisible Company and how the government can tackle plastic waste in Hong Kong.

1. In one sentence, tell us what you do?

Flavien and I are partners-in-crime! We’re the co-founders of Invisible Company and our mission is to raise eco-awareness with responsible packaging while connecting a sustainable community together.

2. Why are you 8Shaders?

Back in 2018, we fell in love with hiking; however, among Hong Kong’s beautiful nature, we found so much food packaging, plastic bottles, tissue papers and other trash. Naturally, we started collecting the rubbish we found, but soon realised that we needed to do more and find an alternative to replace conventional plastic packaging – which is how Invisible Company began!

We launched in February 2020 with our water-soluble, biodegradable #INVISIBLEBAG and are currently working on R&D to develop other compostable, biodegradable materials to cover more applications in more industries – with the same DNA of becoming invisible over time.

3. What’s your best eco habit – and your guilty not-so green one?
I think there are no best or worst eco habits; rather, we should embrace every change and take small eco-actions that make us more conscious about reducing the negative impact on our environment. For instance, when it comes to clothes, we look for durable materials and shop second-hand; for food, we buy from wet markets to avoid packaging and process food waste with our home composting machine.

Doing these things consistently makes them into habits – and once they’ve become habits, being eco becomes the norm!

See also: 8 Simple Swaps For Single-Use Plastics

4. Fave eco products?
We look at products we use daily, then search for plastic-free, non-single use alternatives – and there are so many great conscious, ethical Hong Kong brands making a positive impact to our environment. I love Green Bitch’s toothpaste tablets, laundry pods and recycled tissues from Mil Mill and bulk-bought groceries from Toneedshed.

I also love local second-hand clothing shops like the social enterprise Retrovert, which empowers young mums and youngsters in Hong Kong. Hyginova, a certified-B Corp company that manufactures vegan cleaning products in Hong Kong, is another of my favourites.

5. Fave veggie dishes in Hong Kong?
Both Flavien and I are vegan; most of the time we cook at home and love exploring new vegan dishes. When we go out, we love Years as they are passionate about promoting vegan food to everyone. When it comes to traditional local food, dim sum is a must – we highly recommend Veggie Kingdom!

6. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced at Invisible Company?

Awareness is one of the biggest challenges – making people understand the product, see sustainability as an investment, support innovation and adopt new products and ways of doing things. It’s still a long journey and lots of time and effort is required to educate both brands and consumers but we believe that when the community joins together, we can inspire and make change!

Other challenges that many sustainable brands face are logistics-based costs and pandemic restrictions; like most people, we’ve suffered instability due to these issues over recent years. Often, being eco-friendly means doing good for the environment but at a premium – and it’s not always an easy path when we, our clients and our customers are challenged by these out-of-control factors.

7. What initiatives towards reducing plastic waste and consumption would you like to see in Hong Kong?

If we want to change the general public’s mindset towards reducing plastic consumption and waste, this should be pushed by government policy. This also has to come with a better understanding of the solutions available, with clear information so consumers can understand, make their own choices and avoid being misled into “greenwashing”.

If we want brands and manufacturers to reduce plastic packaging and switch to naked packaging or plastic-free alternatives, the government needs to help and support innovation. For instance, if they regulated or increased plastic prices, making it the same price as alternatives, then people would start considering more eco-friendly alternatives or looking for ways to reduce their consumption. Another way would be to ban plastic in some easily replaceable applications.

8. What shade of green are you?

Actually, one of our interns recently commented, “You must really like orange” – because for a green company, our website is so colourful!

We believe being green is about mindset and attitude – but we have to make it an everyday normal habit for everyone, and influence people to become green through colourful actions. Sustainability is only achieved when all communities join forces, rather than working alone!

Find out more about Invisible Company on their website and Instagram

NEXT: See all ‘8Shades Of‘ interviews

Sign up for the 8Shades weekly newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox!

The post 8Shades Of… Devana Ng & Flavien Chaussegros of Invisible Company appeared first on 8Shades.

Organic, biodynamic and natural winemakers source grapes from organic farms, which focus on natural inputs and processes during farming. But there are big differences between these three types of wines – so before you buy your next bottle, you might want to find out how each of these wines is made!

Organic Wine

Organic winemakers produce wine from organic grapes while limiting the use of synthetic chemicals during the winemaking process. Instead of using artificial inputs like synthetic fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides, winegrowers opt for natural products or methods of controlling pests and disease, for instance using organic fertilisers or introducing predators as a natural way to control pests in vineyards.

Organic winemakers also limit the use of sulfites like sulphur dioxide during wine fermentation; these are usually added during the bottling phase to help extend the lifespan of wines. Depending on who is certifying the organic label, there are some exceptions to this; for example, organic wine standards in Canada and Europe allow small quantities of sulfites to be added.

Organic wine certifying bodies include the Soil Association, the European Union’s Organic Wine Standard and the USDA (United States Dept of Agriculture) Organic Wine Standard.

Biodynamic Wine

Biodynamic winemaking is based on farming principles advocated by Austrian scientist and philosopher Rudolf Steiner. Like organic winemaking, it focuses on using natural inputs and processes; however, biodynamic winemaking goes beyond organic winemaking and encourages growers to align their practices with living organisms, natural systems and the cosmos.

Biodynamic farmers work according to the astronomical calendar, where sowing, pruning and harvesting dates are determined by the lunar cycle. Some who swear by biodynamic wines also believe that certain wines taste better during specific phases of the lunar cycle. Another key practice is the use of crop rotation, where crops species are rotated throughout the year to revitalise soils and keep pests at bay.

Fun fact: to be at one with the land, some biodynamic farmers might even play music to their vines or bury cow horns packed with fermented dung into their soil!

Biodynamic wine certifying bodies include Demeter International (a global certification) or Biodyvin (for European wineries only).

Natural Wine

Natural wine is the lowest intervention winemaking method. In addition to eradicating synthetic inputs and using natural processes, natural winemakers minimise human intervention during the winemaking process too. Compared to organic and biodynamic wines, where additives such as sulphites or native yeast for fermentation might be used during processing, additives are strictly banned in natural wines.

This method of low-intervention winemaking can result in wines that vary widely in quality; some batches can taste heavenly, while others may taste rather bland. Natural wines are also not currently regulated by any certifying bodies.

If you’re curious to taste some organic, biodynamic and natural wines yourself, here are some of our favourite wine stores in Hong Kong to check out:

Cork Culture

Cork Culture is an online store based in Hong Kong that specialises in organic, biodynamic and natural wines. Those wanting a lighter bodied wine for the summer may fancy The Hermit Ram Skin Fermented Sauvignon Blanc; it’s organic, biodynamic and natural, and is redolent of gooseberry and apricot.

Oz Terroirs

Oz Terroirs is an Australian wine importer sourcing artisanal wines from Australia. A crowd favourite is the Dormilona Chardonnay 2019 from a naturally-farmed vineyard in the Margaret River region.

Blue Note Wine

Blue Note imports wine, spirits, beer and cider from across the globe. Try the Joostenberg Family Red Blend from South Africa, a full-bodied biodynamic wine with a distinctive blend of plum and savoury notes.

Wine Guru

Wine Guru is an online wine retailer stocking a variety of reds, whites, sparkling and natural wines. Pinot Noir lovers might be interested in the Le Coste, Pinotto 2019, an Italian natural wine that has nuanced flavours of black fruit, earth and spice.

See also: Say Cheers to These Natural, Bio and Organic Red Wines

Sign up for the 8Shades weekly newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox!

The post Heard It On The Grapevine: The Differences Between Organic, Biodynamic & Natural Wines appeared first on 8Shades.