The sign of a quality afternoon tea is when they serve loose leaf tea instead of teabags. You get a strainer to put over your teacup to catch all the solids.
Don’t forget to use the strainer, otherwise you’ll get a mouthful of soggy leaves!
I have borrowed liberally from the Harrods Afternoon Tea Menu for information regarding tea. To me, there is only one tea, English Breakfast. I've been drinking it all my life; I don't ever remember there not being a kettle ready to boil and a teapot ready to fill. Tea with milk, that's it. None of that fruity herbal stuff, my Mum would swoon at the mere thought! Ok, when I was fifty-something, I was introduced to a fruity herbal tea, and I have to say I quite enjoyed it. However, old habits die hard and English Breakfast is my go-to. Boring? Maybe, but every sip reminds me of home and Mum and that is precious to me.
Afternoon tea establishments cater to all tea tastes and have a variety of exotic blends (Lapsang Souchong, anyone?). This is your chance to try something new, after all if you don't like it, they will be happy to bring you a pot of something different.
Harrods has no less than 24 different teas (I choose Harrods because they had the most variety of teas on their menu) broken down into the following categories:
CLASSIC TEAS
Signature and special blends.
Harrods has been creating exquisite tea blends since 1849. The fine art
of blending can be compared to creating a delicate new perfume, where the
potential combinations are endless. No matter which tea you choose, our expertise and
commitment to quality are brewed into every cup. (My English Breakfast falls into this category)
BLACK TEAS
Black tea involves all five basic steps of tea production (plucking,
withering, rolling, oxidising and firing). The leaves are allowed to fully
oxidise during this process. Production is typically completed within a day,
and the liquors range from dark brown to deep red in colour.
GREEN TEAS
To make green tea, freshly picked leaves are pan-fired (Chinese method)
or steamed (Japanese method) at a temperature hot enough to inhibit the
natural oxidation process and encapsulate in the processed leaves all the
richness of the fresh ones. This ensures distinctive and sophisticated tasting
notes with major health benefits due to the preserved high level of
antioxidants and active ingredients.
OOLONG TEAS
Oolong teas span a broad spectrum of colours, between green and black,
determined by the level of oxidation of the leaf. This process is carried out
repeatedly, sometimes over the course of days, creating a beautiful layering or
‘painting’ of aroma and flavour. Oolongs typically have a more complex flavour
than green or white teas; with very smooth, soft astringency, they are rich in
floral or fruity flavours, making them ideal for those new to tea drinking.
WHITE TEAS
White tea is essentially unprocessed tea. The name is derived from the fuzzy
white ‘down’ that appears on the unopened or recently opened buds – the newest
growth on the tea bush. White tea is simply plucked and allowed to wither dry.
The leaves are not rolled or shaped. White teas produce very pale green or yellow liquor and are the most delicate in flavour and aroma.
HERBAL TEAS
Known as tisanes, herbal teas are caffeine-free infusions of herbs
and plant extracts. Arguably, most herbal teas find their roots in ancient
Egypt. The first recorded mention of camomile being enjoyed as a drink was
in a document known as the Ebers Papyrus, in 1550 BC. Peppermint has
been used as a caffeine-free home remedy to aid digestion and soothe the
stomach for millennia, dating back to the ancient Greeks, who would rub
tables with peppermint to make dining more pleasant.
Do you have a favorite tea?
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