Earl Grey, Everywhere: Chasing Batam’s Best Bakes at The Smith Patisserie and Baker Stone

I used to think Earl Grey tea was a type of brewed tea leaf, invented by an Earl named Grey.

Then I realised it’s actually black tea, flavoured with the oil of bergamot orange.

So what is Earl Grey, really?

Earl Grey tea is a popular black tea blend, flavoured with oil extracted from the rind of the bergamot orange, a fragrant citrus fruit. It’s also named after Charles Grey, the second Earl Grey, who served as British Prime Minister from 1830 to 1834. Did he really invent the blend? Nobody knows. 

And somewhere along the way, it became one of my favourite flavours, in tea and, as it turns out, in cake too.

The Smith Patisserie, Grand Batam Mall

The Smith Patisserie is a London cake concept store, an open bakery with a dine-in area in Batam, Indonesia. Its exterior alone does most of the marketing for it. Tucked conspicuously outside CGV Cinemas in Grand Batam Mall, it beckons shoppers with rows of pastries under a shiny gloss of butter.

My sister recommended the butter cheesecake on my first try, and it was every bit as good as it looked. The cake can get a little rich, especially if you’re not used to the sweetness of Indonesian butter. I loved it but couldn’t manage more than a slice at a time.

This time, we went for the Earl Grey cake (RP 48,000) , and it might be the best one I’ve had. Light and just sweet enough, it melted the moment it hit my mouth, so much so that I didn’t leave a bite for anyone else. Paired with a café latte, the coffee’s bitterness paired with the cake perfectly.

We also tried the blueberry tart (RP 33,000), which fell a little short. The crust was too thick, but the filling itself was good; the blueberries were seated atop a generous layer of jam.

Even so, this won’t be our last visit. There’s simply too much on the menu left to try.

Address: Grand Batam Mall #03-17, Jl. Pembangunan, Batu Selicin, Lubuk Baja, Batam City, Riau Islands 29441

Baker Stone Indonesia

On the other hand, Baker Stone Indonesia serves what might be the best Earl Grey chocolate croissant I’ve ever had. At my request, we’ve made the trip out by cab just for this croissant more than once.

Known for their handcrafted artisan bread and viennoiserie, Baker Stone doesn’t offer dine-in seating. It’s takeaway only, so plan accordingly.

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Their signature croissant comes with a crusted half layer of chocolate,  generously filled with Earl Grey cream, and finished with a gold flake on top. It is as extravagant as it sounds and just as delicious as it looks. If you’re after something else, the strawberry milk croissant and almond croissant are both highly recommended too.

Address: Jodoh, kawasan baru phrayangan, Jl. Tj. Uma, Tj. Uma, Kec. Lubuk Baja, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29444

Located inside SNL Food, Level 1

Sometimes, when the going gets tough, you just persevere through it, and the tough will get going. All it takes is sheer resilience, some good sleep, and great desserts as a little treat along the way.