Candle connoisseurs Ollie & Co. are back with another variant on their candle making workshop. This is the local candle company known for collaborating with other local cafes and brands. They help to create customized scents for the likes of Beaucoup Bakery and Aelo ready to drink canned cocktails. They also have their own collection of candles from nostalgic Asian scents to cocktails, and even a naughty line for bed time.
We went to their first workshop a while back, which allowed us to craft our own scented candle. This had us picking and choosing our own top, mid, and bottom scents. Then furthering our chosen theme with an artist’s hand drawn interpretation of what we wanted on the lid.
It was such a seamless and professional experience, better ran and organized than other similar workshops I have since attended. Not to mention you get so much more value in any of Ollie & Co.‘s work shops. More on that below.
This season candle lovers are invited back to their studio space to make a tea themed candle. Same as before, you get to customize your own scent, but this time choosing from a collection of fruits, sugars, and tea leaves. Everything gets poured into a single steeped tea pot that also comes with three mini tea cups. So after you burn your candle, you can reuse the container for its intended purpose.
I came early so was able to smell all the offered scents and corral my favourites to use. They also provide a sheet for you to check off, like a menu of sorts. I made a predominately oolong scented candle, sweetened with osmanthus and yellow dragonfruit, and gave things a little spice with the unexpected shiso. Other interesting scents available for use includes aloe, Hojicha, London fog, hibiscus, Ube, and strawberry milk.
Like the first candle making class, this was once again a workshop within a workshop. As our candles were given time to dry and harden, we were tasked with tying some string art. A beautiful hand woven dangle to christen the candle’s lid with. This was a challenge compared to the easier stirring and pouring motion of the candle. Admittedly, many of the attendees simply had the staff assist them.
On top of our workshops, we also got a tea tasting by local tea purveyors Glitch Tea, to make the experience full circle. What sets Glitch apart is that they have their teas at a finer 700 mesh level, to make it easier to dissolve in water. Most matcha deploys 200 and the rarest teas in China are 2000, to give you perspective. All Glitch’s tea leaves are sourced from Taiwan, working directly with the farmer. Their most popular is their oolong with its own unique flavour profile achieved through them curating their own specific oxidation and roasting levels.
They currently have four flavours to choose from: jasmine, green tea, light and dark roasted oolong. Each boast the variety of ways it can be enjoyed from brewing it like coffee to frothing it like matcha. It is apparently also versatile in baking.
As we settled and in between assignments, we were able to sample their most popular brews and then decide which one we wanted as a latte. This we would drink and use as inspiration for the task at hand.
In closing, if you are interested in this tea filled workshop be sure to book your spot of their next session. They only have 250 units available and once they sell through the workshop will be closed indefinitely.
Ollie & Co.
ollieandco.ca
