Tag Archives: afternoon tea

The Perfect Tea Gifts: Christmas at Mariage Frères

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Stepping inside Mariage Frères is like being transported into a bygone era. Mariage Frères is exclusively one of France’s oldest tea shops and we are fortunate enough to have their flagship store open on our doorstep in the heart of Covent Garden. This is also the brands largest tea emporium to date, boasting five storeys of tea history. The ceiling to floor tea wall is filled with all the teas you can imagine and is definitely worth a visit just to marvel at the longest tea wall in the World featuring over 1000 varieties of tea. The shop also features a Tea Museum on the second floor showcasing tea antiques from around the World as well as providing you with a lowdown on the history of tea and of course, the pièce de résistance has to be the Salon de Thé. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner each dish is expertly created to feature, you’ve guessed it… tea. We heavily recommend their tea infused cocktails! There really is something for everyone here. 

The emporium is a stunning addition to Covent Garden and like everywhere else at this time of the year, we thoroughly recommend paying this place a visit over the festive period. Tea lovers will be blown away by the quality of the products and we promise you will not be disappointed by their incredible collection of luxurious and stunning Christmas gifts and cakes to impress your guests! 

Our personal favourites had to be…

Mariage Frères Gold Cake £66

Not only is this completely show-stopping, but the Gold Cake is scrumptious. Covered in shimmering gold, this chocolate marbled cake is infused with Marco Polo black-tea and flavoured with festive spices with a core of gianduja and hazelnut. The Gold Cake will serve around ten guests and if you’re in my house, will last about 5 minutes! 

Noël Fruit Tea: £49

This stunning fruit tea comes packaged in a hand-blown glass bauble design. The tea itself is fruity and spicy and festive and can be enjoyed hot or cold and like any, would make a great infusion  perfect for a Christmas cocktail. 

Opera Musical Tea-Box £65

Now this really is a unique and extraordinary present. A beautiful, illustrated musical gift box is filled with four packets of tea and when opened, each plays a different operatic tune. This really is the kind of gift one would have been presented with many years ago and we are so thrilled to see that it is still possible to buy such a traditional gift. 

Soho Bohème Teapot £299

For the tea-lover who has everything. We guarantee they won’t have such an exquisite teapot. This expertly hand-blown glass teapot is sculpted into a soufflè shape and can be bought with a gold or silver lid. This teapot really oozes class and sophistication. 

NOËL SUBLIME® £39

Nestled in an elegant gift set, painted in black & gold and decorated with silver stars, this NOËL SUBLIME advent calendar beholds 25 tea-inspired Mariage Frères treats to make the countdown to the holidays all the more pleasant.
The clock, symbolised by a hanging Christmas ornament, ticks while imaginary windows, opening day after day, glimmer under the guiding light of the Star of Bethlehem.

All gifts are available to buy in Mariage Frères flagship store in Covent Garden or in Selfridges London.

www.mariagefreres.com 

10 Tea Destinations You Should Visit Once In Your Life

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traditionsofteaaroundtheworld

Image credit: Turkish tea by Sztanco Demeter

It warms us up when we are cool and it will cool us if we are too heated. Tea is the second most consumed drink in the world after water and this is probably the reason why it has become a worldwide little treasure- From the time of the ancient Chinese Dynasty to our present, tea has taught us there is nothing better than its flavour when it comes to relaxing or catching up with friends and family. Welcome to the worldwide art of drinking tea!

 

Argentine: The land of mate

People say that in order to know beautiful Argentine, you need to try its meat and of course, its mate. Did you know there is an entire museum dedicated to mate? This herb is without any doubt the national drink in the country and it is said that the more you drink it, the strongest the after-taste. If you fancy some more information about this caffeine-rich infused drink, don´t hesitate to visit Museo del Mate (289, Lavalle, 1648 Tigre, Buenos Aires).  Image credit: Mate by Marta López

 

Morocco: Experience the mint tea!

You can’t really say you know the mint tea flavour unless you have been to Morocco. Touareg tea, how Moroccon mint tea is named here, is the real heart of this culture and it is strongly linked to the act of hospitality. In this sense, tea is served to guesses three times-Of course the guess will always have to drink the glass!

 

China: The art of making tea

allthetrainchina

Image: All the tea in China by Adam Cohn via Flickr 

China is the birthplace for tea; here people have been producing tea over the years, something they call “Chao dao”, which was also exported to Japan. This country is a perfect destination for tea lovers that will be able to visit the only National Tea Museum in the country (opened in 1991 and based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang), where you can find out more about the strong tea culture in this place.

 

India: The world of Chai

 

India consumes more tea than any other country in the world. Whoever visits this destination will find out that this drink is literally served on every corner, especially in crowded train stations where you will see people selling this drink from early hours in the morning until night. To find out more about the tea culture in the country, pop in at Kanan Devan Hills Tea Museum (Munnar, India).

 

Japan: The matcha ceremony 

traditioninJapan

Image credit: Matcha tradition in Japan by Flickr

Tea is in this country a huge part of the food culture. Even though the diversity of teas here is endless, whenever someone mentions this drink is known it’s referred to green tea. The tea ceremony is called here matcha and is seen as a ritual that generations have been using for ages and which consists of serving green tea to a small group in one of those popular old teahouses.

 

New Zealand: The tea explosion 

Like in America, people from New Zealand get interested in this drink because of its healthy reputation. According to historians, New Zealand imported considerable amounts of tea in the nineteenth-century, with the arrival of the British missionaries. A fun fact about the tea culture in this country is that its only commercial tea plantation is called Zealong, which launched its first list of products in 2009.

 

Russia: Drink tea as a guest 

Russians drink tea at different times of the day. Originally introduced by the Mongolians, it has turned into an important part of the Russian culture and today we could say that there is no Russia without this drink. Follow the local style and try a cup of Zavarka, a very strong tea prepared in a separate pot that allows guests to have several tea rounds.

 

Britain: Enjoy an afternoon tea

londonafternoontea

Image credit: The Goring by Expedia

There is nothing more British than having a proper afternoon tea, which owes its origins to Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford. Today this ritual attracts hundreds of travellers, especially in London, a city that hosts a wide chic selection of hotels and cafés offering this service. Top tip: Although most hotels in London offer the best afternoon tea in the country, as blogger Antonia Windsor details in this article on the Expedia blog, it’s important to remember that British people, especially Londoners, tend to save these posh sessions for a special occasion. If you ever visit the British capital and you fancy a real afternoon tea, book a table at Claridge´s Hotel (Brook St, Mayfair, London) Cost: £50.

 

Thailand: A popular tea around the world              

Thai tea is one of the most popular teas in the world and it has been attracting consumers over the years across different continents. It is made from strongly-brewed red tea that usually contains anise, red and yellow food colouring and sometimes other spices too. Visit The Museum Coffee & Tea Corner (1, Damnernkasem Road, Hua Hin) and enjoy amazing garden views whilst enjoying classical music.

 

USA: The tea explosion

starbucks

Tea is in the States one of the most popular non-alcoholic drinks in 2014.  It doesn’t matter if you fancy green, red or even oolong tea, as they are all included in North American people’s healthy diet so you won’ t have issues when it comes to finding them on the menu. Top tip: Remember that American coffee is still preferred for the morning ritual!

 

Image credit: Starbucks tea by Vivian Farinazzo via Flickr

 

Author Bio

Marta López is a travel writer based in London. She loves travelling and discovering new cultures. When she isn’t writing on her laptop she can be found around the city looking for the latest tea shops.

 

 

Celebrate a Great British Tradition During National Afternoon Tea Week

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11th-17th August

tea
In 1840 Anne, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, started requesting tea, bread and cake at 4pm to stave off hunger until dinner and soon after afternoon tea became a much-loved, quintessentially British tradition.

National Afternoon Tea Week celebrates this great heritage with a week of activities, themed menus and offers in hotels, restaurants and tearooms across the UK in August.

Whether you’re an afternoon tea aficionado or yet to enjoy the delights of delectable treats with tea, during National Afternoon Tea Week you’ll be able to enjoy 25% off a range of afternoon teas. Iconic afternoon tea destinations already taking part include The Dochester, Kettners, Sketch and The Corinthia Hotel London with many more to be announced shortly.

Keith Newton, founder of Afternoon Tea Week, says ‘We created Afternoon Tea Week to celebrate this most British of dining traditions and to give tourists and locals alike the opportunity to step inside and experience some of the country’s most exquisite afternoon tea venues. From famous five-star hotels in London to a castle in Gloucestershire, luxury stores to double decker buses, there’s something for everyone.’

Find out what’s happening in your region on afternoontea.co.uk, the online home of afternoon tea.

 

 

Royal Crown Derby Entertains At The Waldorf Hilton, London

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At Frost there are few things we love more than a good cup of tea. So if you are looking for something quintessentially English to do then we might have something for you.

Royal Crown Derby Entertains has unveiled its fine bone china tableware for a traditional British afternoon tea offering at The Waldorf Hilton, London. The Westminster design Royal Crown Derby Entertains will be introduced at the hotel on 16 September 2013, through a special afternoon tea package.

Guests will be treated to a quintessentially English afternoon tea experience in the hotel’s deluxe Homage Grand Salon, with distinct blends of tea and exquisite finger sandwiches, pastries and cakes all served on the finest quality bone china from Royal Crown Derby Entertains. The afternoon tea occasion has been further refined to include a live harpist and champagne trolley including a vintage champagne option.

Manufactured in the heart of England at the company’s Derby based factory, Royal Crown Derby Entertains is a range of delicate tableware pieces embellished with iconic patterns from Royal Crown Derby’s distinguished history. Sourced from the company’s extensive pattern archive, Westminster was conceived by Royal Crown Derby Entertains to bring a sense of elegance to a hotel or restaurant table. The range features a distinctive sweeping motif, which has been set against the pure white finish of the bone china and Royal Crown Derby’s signature 22 carat gold border. The Royal Crown Derby Entertains collection comprises all of the fundamental ingredients for a formal afternoon tea. Each piece has been painstakingly designed to deliver the highest quality performance and preserve the subtle intricacies associated with the ceremony.

The Waldorf Hilton, London, has a rich London heritage spanning over a hundred years, with is interior bringing to life the glamour of the roaring twenties through an elegant art deco décor. Situated on the tree-lined thoroughfare of Aldwych, the hotel is a stone’s throw from Theatreland and some of the capital’s most iconic attractions.

Peter Beckwith, area general manager, London, Hilton Worldwide, said, “At The Waldorf Hilton we pride ourselves on our heritage and partnering with Royal Crown Derby was an excellent opportunity to expand and take delight in our rich hotel history. Through collaboration of our afternoon tea and the Westminster Collection, guests will be treated to a truly traditional British afternoon tea experience.”

waldorfhilton

The Royal Crown Derby Entertains collection includes six designs, Chelsea, Westminster, Covent Garden, Knightsbridge, St James and Piccadilly, with an array of shapes available for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner services. The ranges are complemented by a bespoke design service that enables special commissions to be fabricated in Royal Crown Derby’s factory.

Royal Crown Derby Entertains Sales Director John Mohin comments: “When developing the Royal Crown Derby Entertains collection we drew upon our wealth of history and experience in producing the finest tableware for an afternoon tea ceremony or formal dining occasion. Each of the ranges within our portfolio reflects Royal Crown Derby’s rich heritage of creative artistry and technical skill within its border pattern, with every design sourced from our archive and reinterpreted to meet the demands of the premium hospitality industry.”

The Tea Guild’s Top London Afternoon Tea 2012 Awards of Excellence

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The Tea Guild’s Top London Afternoon Tea 2012 Awards of Excellence

LONDON WINS 21 PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE

The Tea Guild has bestowed 21 Awards of Excellence in this year’s Top London Afternoon Tea Awards 2012 to leading establishments in the capital. The venues achieving this coveted Tea Guild award for recognition of their consistently exceptional standards of quality and tea service are: Brown’s Hotel; Claridge’s; Four Seasons Hotel Park Lane; Grosvenor House Park Room & Library; Sofitel London St James; The Capital Hotel, The Chesterfield; The Connaught; The Dorchester; The Goring; The InterContinental Park Lane; The Lanesborough; The Langham; The Milestone; Hyatt Regency London The Churchill; The Montague on The Gardens; The Royal Garden Hotel; The Royal Horseguards Hotel; The Savoy; The Ritz and The Wolseley.

Now in their 27th year, the acclaimed Tea Guild Awards of Excellence are seen as the ‘Michelin star’ of all tea awards, with leading tea rooms and world class hotels throughout London competing for the fashionable and renowned honour. Taking afternoon tea is a cherished experience steeped in British tradition and will be particularly popular in the capital this year as the British public and many of this year’s overseas visitors celebrate British traditions with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the 2012 Olympic Games.

The Tea Guild’s secret inspectors have assiduously been searching the capital to seek out the finest tea experiences to see who is deserving of an “Award of Excellence” and who should win the Top London Afternoon Tea 2012 Award. As well as judging London’s top tea rooms and hotels, The Tea Guild’s judges have travelled across Britain to find the annual winners of the Top City and Country Hotel Tea Award 2012 and the Top Tea Place 2012 Award. All visits have been anonymous to ensure the results are completely fair and accurate. The anonymous judges awarded points for the variety, flavour and knowledge of the teas offered, together with the quality of food, service, décor, ambience, and presentation. With 125 points to be lost or gained on the judge’s scorecard, only those establishments achieving the very highest standards across a number of categories can make it to the top.

The judges were so impressed with the quality of the afternoon tea served at the following London Establishments that they awarded them high marks in every category: Brown’s Hotel; Claridge’s; Four Seasons Hotel Park Lane; Grosvenor House Park Room & Library; Sofitel London St James; The Capital Hotel, The Chesterfield; The Connaught; The Dorchester; The Goring; The InterContinental Park Lane; The Lanesborough; The Langham; The Milestone; Hyatt Regency London The Churchill; The Montague on The Gardens; The Royal Garden Hotel; The Royal Horseguards Hotel; The Savoy; The Ritz and The Wolseley.

The Tea Guild has now also presented the 2012 award for the Top London Afternoon Tea, which was received by The Athenaeum Hotel in Mayfair. The rest of the Awards are yet to be announced.

Commenting on the 21 ‘Awards of Excellence’ received in the capital, Irene Gorman, Head of The Tea Guild, notes: “Each year the judges’ task of choosing those who receive an ‘Award Of Excellence’ gets more challenging, as standards within The Tea Guild continue to reach new levels and this year’s London competition was no exception.”

“The Awards of Excellence to these leading establishments were presented in recognition of their admirable and consistently high standards of tea making, evident in the care and attentiveness with which they prepare and serve afternoon tea.”

She added: “In the Capital afternoon tea is now the most fashionable way to catch up with friends. It has become increasing popular be it after a busy morning’s shopping, a business meeting, for that special family occasion, a romantic date or a truly memorable experience for the bride to be and her girlfriends. More and more people are taking time out to enjoy that ‘very special afternoon tea moment’.”