The Ethereal Flight

April 29, 2025

Available exclusively at The Working Capitol, Keong Saik starting May 12, 2025. If you are using their co-working space during this time, you are in for a treat, because we care about your hydration.

Amanita Kombucha x Cream of the Crop presents: The Ethereal Flight.

We bring you the freshest and most unique ferment straight from the garden. Inspired by the vibrant harvest of a pollinators' paradise, this kombucha is a true celebration of nature, crafted with handpicked organic botanicals and brewed with care. From soil to bloom, from garden to bottle, it is a toast to health, sustainability, and the beauty of pollinators.

Ethereal Flight: A Celebration of Nature's Bounty

The concept of Ethereal Flight emerged when Daniella, founder of Cream of the Crop, introduced the idea of butterflies, perfectly aligning with their gardens' focus on fauna that attract pollinators like butterflies and birds. The symbolism of butterflies in gardens resonated deeply with me, embodying beauty and transformation. Together, we curated a simple yet profound menu that reflects this vision.

Why Ethereal Flight?
The name evokes the flutter of butterfly wings — light, graceful, and transient. It pays tribute to pollinators, especially butterflies, whose movements breathe life into a garden. Their dance from bloom to bloom reflects a delicate, invisible force of nature that nourishes the land and allows things to flourish.

“Ethereal” speaks to the fleeting beauty of flowers: soft, fragile, and seemingly not of this world. Flowers remind us to pause, appreciate, and be present. They bloom briefly, yet in that moment, they offer nectar, beauty, and the promise of continuation. Because of flowers, plants go to seed, fruit, and regenerate.

And “Flight” also represents the trinity of flavours we aimed to achieve — a harmony of sweet, floral, and herbal that lifts the senses, like wings in motion. Lightness. Uplift. Motion. The experience of this drink and menu is meant to mirror the grace of a butterfly and the quiet power of nature’s cycles.

COSMOS

Using Cosmos caudatus (Ulam Raja): A Nutrient-Rich, Noble Herb.

Ulam Raja (translated to King’s Herb in Malay), or Cosmos caudatus, is a traditional Southeast Asian herb celebrated for its vibrant pink or purple flowers and delicate leaves. Beyond its aesthetic charm, it boasts impressive nutritional and medicinal properties. Per 100 grams of fresh leaves, it contains 64.6 mg of vitamin C, 3568 μg of β-carotene, and essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and iron. Its high antioxidant capacity attributed to compounds like quercetin and chlorogenic acid, which supports immune function and helps combat oxidative stress. Studies also suggest that it may assist in managing blood glucose levels and promoting bone health.

Although Cosmos has long been a staple and crowd favorite at Amanita Kombucha, we felt it was simply too nutritious and delightful to leave out—and its genus name fits beautifully with our theme.

Purchase Cosmos Kombucha from our store:
https://www.amanitakombucha.com/products/cosmos-kombucha

NECTAR

Using Basil Blossoms: Nature's Fragrant Nectar

Often overlooked, Basil blossoms are edible and rich in nutrients. These tiny flowers (we use a mix of Genovese Basil blossoms and Thai Basil blossoms), typically discarded to encourage leaf growth, offer a fragrant taste reminiscent of basil leaves. They contain essential oils and compounds that contribute to their aromatic profile. While specific nutritional data is limited, their inclusion in the menu adds a unique flavor and aligns with the theme of attracting pollinators.

SWEET ROOT

Using Mexican Tarragon: A Calming Herb with Rich History

Mexican Tarragon (Tagetes lucida) is a plant native to Mexico and Central America), known for its sweet, anise-like and licorice root flavor, has traditionally been used for its calming properties. Its vibrant yellow flowers attract pollinators and embody the essence of nature’s harmony. While nutritional data is limited, it adds a familiar, comforting flavour profile to the menu.

However, studies have shown that Mexican Tarragon may induce menstruation due to its effect on female hormone production. Women trying to conceive should avoid it. As with any herb or food, it’s essential to consult a medical practitioner and do your own research before consumption. As herbalists, we are not licensed medical practitioners—our objective is to impart knowledge, not to prescribe.

Empowering Wellness Through Herbalism

Ethereal Flight is a menu of celebration of nature's gifts and the community's role in nurturing wellness. By incorporating herbs like Ulam Raja, Basil blossoms, and Mexican tarragon, we not only honour traditional knowledge but also create accessible ways for individuals to engage with herbal medicine. This approach fosters a deeper connection to nature and empowers people to take proactive steps in their health and wellness journeys.

Through collaboration, education, and shared experiences, we cultivate a community that values holistic health and the transformative power of herbalism.

We had the opportunity to present alongside a local maker, Sĕndok Rakyat (literally translated as "People’s Spoon" in Bahasa Melayu), who builds community through Malay food and recipes deeply rooted in family culture and tradition. They also write about their adventures with Malay food on Substack: https://sendokrakyat.substack.com/about

Sĕndok Rakyat preparing fresh organic herbs from Cream of the Crop's garden and banana blossoms for our guests.

Meeting fellow local makers with deep traditional roots was such a gift. Their lovingly crafted menus and vibrant Nasi Ulam ("herb rice" or "rice salad") truly touched my heart. Here’s to honouring culture, nature, and soul in food craft.

As part of Cream of the Crop’s soft launch of their rooftop gardens, Of Garden Foraging & Kombucha Pairings brought together kindred spirits. It was heartwarming to see so much love poured into each menu item, using fresh herbs gathered directly from Cream of the Crop's gardens.

Not only did our Ethereal Flight menu celebrate the pollinators and the fauna they attract, but it also welcomed like-minded individuals who came to enjoy the food and drinks together.

The weather was on our side. The pollinator garden not only attracted various butterfly species but also drew in many growers and community members who shared a similar passion. Thank you to everyone who joined us with such warmth and presence.

Community: The Heartbeat of Herbalism

Herbalism thrives on shared learning, mutual support, and a deep co-creation with nature. In this interconnected space, we find the strength to grow our practices and reach wider audiences, bridging gaps between local and expatriate communities.

Collaborating with Daniella and Jastyn from Cream of the Crop has offered invaluable opportunities to expand my reach and deepen my practice. By sharing knowledge and skills related to herbal medicine, we empower individuals to take charge of their wellness journeys. This empowerment fosters an informed, engaged, and resilient community.

A Functional Mocktail to Welcome Our Guests

We presented a functional mocktail as our guests’ welcome drink—an herbal refreshment intentionally created to enhance hydration through mineral-rich contents. All ingredients were organic, and we’re especially grateful for the fresh herbs harvested from Cream of the Crop’s garden.

Ulam Raja once again took center stage, and rightly so—this noble herb deserves the spotlight.

Agastache rugosa, also known as wrinkled giant Hyssop is an aromatic herb in the mint family, native to East Asia. It has a lemony scent that is similar to the fragrance of lemon balm.

Ulam Raja and Korean mint were ground into fine leaves and macerated in a simple raw organic sugar syrup for hours, then filtered. This syrup keeps well for weeks when stored in sealed jars or bottles in the refrigerator.

The lemons were thoroughly washed, dried, and zested by hand to preserve the peels for an olive oil infusion. As I manually zested each one, I found myself wondering—could A.I. ever zest a lemon perfectly, without hitting the bitter white pith? That would be ideal—these are the kinds of tasks I’d love it to take over, rather than designing my menu.

The lemons were then halved and juiced using a cold-press machine. On the day of the event, the leftover pulp and pits were composted in Cream of the Crop’s on-site bin.

Talk about sustainability—every part of the lemon was used intentionally.

Sea salt was then added to the lemon juice to enhance flavor and provide over 72 trace minerals that support hydration. After all, it's electrolytes and minerals (not just water) that keep you truly hydrated, especially considering that tap water often lacks these essential elements.

A cayenne pepper, salt, and sugar mix was used to rim the glass, giving the drink a subtle kick. Inspired by a Tajín rim often found on margaritas, made with dried chillies and lime sat. This idea was brought into the planning process by Jastyn, the co-founder of Cream of the Crop who suggested adding a chili element to the mocktail.

Here's Jastyn sharing about growing plants with our guest.

The result was a beautiful balance of salty, sweet, sour, and spicy.

It was very well received by our guests and brought the drink full circle. This reminded me of the heart of collaboration—when we keep our hearts and minds open, everything flows naturally. The acknowledgement and kind words from our guests reminded me why we continue doing what we do.

We poured the herb syrup and salted lemon juice, topped it with soda water, added a fresh herb garnish from the garden, and finished each drink with a slice of lime.

The following credits for Event Photos:
📸 The lovely Atiqah — aspiring artist and graphic designer
Instagram: @atiqcat_