Post on 13-Jul-2020
High Tea A hiStory
It is a curious artefact of the Victorian era that a time so famed for its re-strictions on personal liberty and for its provisions against sensual expe-
rience, should also provide a hallmark of elegance today.
There is little more quietly sophisticated than afternoon Tea, often
called high Tea, and there is a reason that this seemingly simple event
is still hosted around the world in the finest hotels and restaurants.
from Toronto to Singapore, any venue that espouses elegance in din-
ing and accommodation enacts this daily ritual as a mark of class.
afternoon Tea is, in the Victorian style, an elegant and precisely
prepared act, enjoyed and taken as though it were simplicity itself.
Therein lies the beauty of it, and the pleasure of taking it at all. This
is no hastily drunk cup of coffee, no soft drink thrown down while
waiting. afternoon Tea is an act of giving time. In partaking, one gives
time to oneself, and to one’s companions. The day is paused, and for
a few moments a sense of ease stretches over us.
The history of afternoon Tea is, like most histories, lost somewhere
between fact and legend. It is said, that during the late 1830s anna
Russell, duchess of Bedford began the practice of taking afternoon
Tea. Tea drinking was already established in england, but meal times
were far apart, and the time for dinner had become progressively
later. The duchess found herself feeling faint as the day wore on, and
so she requested that a pot of tea and some light foods be sent to
her chambers. The tea, most likely from china at this time but soon
replaced by darjeeling, was to become a symbol of refinement and
ultimately a social connector. In 1841, she invited the young Queen
Victoria to take afternoon Tea with her, and from that point onward
the place of afternoon Tea was cemented, first in the British empire
and then throughout the world. The taking of afternoon Tea spread Pho
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throughout the social circles of Victorian england, and soon became a
means of making connections, establishing family ties, and engaging
with intimate friends.
The sense of Victorian ease, coupled with formality, remains in the
relaxed taking of afternoon Tea. The afternoon Tea no longer func-
tions so much as a social event, since so few people give an afternoon
Tea at home nowadays. however the sense of shared relaxation and
timeless sophistication remain. afternoon Tea is an event to dress for.
It is an event to be observed with a little formality, for one’s own sake,
and a chance to relive the style and decorum of another time.
Whether one is reaching for the first, second or third tier; whether one
reaches first for a finger sandwich of smoked salmon or watercress,
a light scone with cream and strawberries, or a teacake; or whether
indeed, one simply waits while the tea is poured, loose leaf of course
– the very act of taking afternoon Tea is one of understated elegance.
Johannesburg and cape Town, rich in cultural and colonial heritage,
share a culture of tea. The finest hotels, among them The mount nel-
son, The michelangelo & The Westcliff, all serve afternoon Tea or high
Tea, throughout the week and on weekends, and offer them in the
dramatic setting of an african afternoon.
The skies are blue and orange, the clouds lit gold by the slow, sinking
sun. Below the terrace, the roads are busy with commuters, with haste
and hurry. and on the table before you, a cup of tea and a scone, and
all the time in the world to enjoy them.
110 I South AfricA Deluxe I GourMEt & dInInG high tea I 111
Sun International’s Table Bay hotel lounge provides the perfect
location for a social encounter over a teacup. It’s an irresistible
sanctuary from the cold wintry weather outdoors.
high Tea at the Table Bay hotel is a theatre of the extraordinary, where
your senses are ignited by florid bouquets of fine teas and distinguished
tea-infused cuisine. The hotel is proud to present TWg Tea, the finest
luxury tea brand in the world. TWg offers the highest quality teas to tea
lovers via the finest luxury establishments around the world. With over
1,000 single-estate harvest teas and exclusive tea blends, TWg Tea has
the largest collection of teas in the world, each meticulously prepared
for the most discerning palates.
In order to produce the optimum selection of teas for South african
consumers, TWg Tea has joined forces with The Table Bay hotel to
create the perfect tea pairing selection. These exquisite creations seek
to enhance the public’s appreciation of fine teas and create a blissful
luxury experience for first-timers and tea connoisseurs alike.
Tea pairing is unique and allows epicureans to experience molten
potions with the best selected desserts and savoury dishes. The Table
Bay high Tea experience is a 3-course affair and each course is paired
with a complementary loose leaf tea. The first course offers delectable
savoury creations paired with light bodied teas to enhance the flavours.
The mushroom and ham quiche is paired with pai mu tan, a white tea
from china and the delicately sliced cucumber sandwiches, a staple of
any high tea, are paired with Imperial pu-erh, a matured Yunnan tea,
also from china. There are several other savoury dishes to enjoy, all
paired with perfectly blended teas from darjeeling and china.
The second course is devoted to freshly baked scones, from plain
scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream, to currant scones
served with lemon curd. The selected english Breakfast, french earl
grey and good hope Teas enhance the buttery texture of the scones.
The third course desserts are heavenly and the teas chosen resonate;
at times subtly sweet and at other times, rich and loquacious. The Bain
de Roses Tea, an exclusive black tea blend, is perfectly paired with
banana cupcakes with butterscotch sauce and caramel pound cakes
liberally covered in honeycomb. The South african Rooibos Red Tea is
coupled with chocolate puffs with hazelnut cream, the vanilla crème
brûlée and the fruit salsa and the chocolate truffle tart, black forest
cake and honey and almond cake are matched with the chocolate
Tea, another exclusive black tea. The peach and white chocolate
gâteau is paired with pink flamingo Tea an exclusive green tea blend.
delicious homespun favourites include the rice pudding with mixed
berry compote and the traditional malva pudding and custard – these
are paired with number 12 Tea.
High Tea is served between 14h30 and 17h30.
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If one is looking for a little african ambience, a place to enjoy the
sweet pleasures of life, then I could not suggest a more sophisticated
and breathtaking setting than the leopard Room Bar and lounge at
the Twelve apostles in camps Bay, cape Town, between a backdrop
of majestic mountains and the rocky atlantic coast. upon entering the
cosy and inviting leopard lounge, I am struck by two bronze leopard
sculptures, the work of sculptor, charles greig.
as we are politely welcomed and led to our table, I notice the charming
presentation of little delights on a three tier stand on the table reserved
for us. my partner, having a taste for savoury indulges in a selection
of mini cheese and ham rolls, and sandwiches with either cucumber,
smoked salmon or chicken aioli fillings. my tastes definitely lean to the
sweeter varieties though; I take ‘one of each’. Shiny ganache topped
éclairs, macaroons, vanilla cupcakes with strawberry icing, glazed
fruit tartlets. my favorite treat of the day – the chocolate brownies, the
recipe kindly handed over to me by henrico grobbelaar, the executive
head chef.
all the ‘great pastries’ in the world could not guarantee a more pleas-
ant high tea experience than the small touches we received at the
Twelve apostles; from the welcome greeting as we arrived to the
friendly service that we were given, and most unforgettable for me,
the sensation of the warm and inviting comforts of feeling at home.
Sophisticated PleasuresAt the tWelve APoStleS hotel AnD SPA
More information onwww.12apostleshotel.com
112 I South AfricA Deluxe I GourMEt & dInInG high tea I 113
In the spirit of an age-old tradition, high Tea is a time when ladies,
and today friends, get together to share news over gourmet delights.
and what better place to celebrate this decadent luxury than in the
opulent Renaissance setting of legacy’s michelangelo hotel in the
heart of Sandton on nelson mandela Square.
hosted at the michelangelo’s Il Ritrovo lounge, high Tea is seen by
the staff and kitchens of the hotel as not just a time to serve scones,
but rather as a gourmet delight personally designed by executive chef
andrew atkinson, also of masterchef Sa judging fame, and his award
winning team.
The michelangelo’s high Tea is a far cry from just a three-tiered
platter being left on one's table. Instead, and in true celebration of the
tradition the team of the michelangelo believes that the food needs
to be as delicious as the conversation between friends and as a result
guests are waited on hand and foot.
Served right through from monday to Sunday, with slight differences
in menu from weekdays to the weekends, the weekday teas are served
in the Il Ritrovo lounge as a plated dish between 14h00 and 17h00.
here you can indulge in a variety of fruit skewers and a delightful
chocolate dipping sauce, freshly prepared dainty finger sandwiches,
melt-in-your-mouth filled croissants, a selection of fresh savoury
items, assorted miniature desserts and tartlets, freshly baked scones
served with cream and jam as well as a selection of teas, coffees and
hot beverages.
If your free time is reserved for the weekends, then why not try the
lindt chocolate Weekend high Tea served on a Saturday or a Sunday
between 14h00 and 17h00. This buffet styled high Tea, also served
at the Il Ritrovo, is the ultimate in pure chocolate luxury. here you
can tuck into a selection of fresh savoury items, melt-in-your-mouth
miniature desserts and tartlets, the freshly baked gâteau of the day, a
selection of indulgent hot items, homemade biscuits and sliced fresh
fruits, freshly baked scones served with cream and jams as well as a
selection of teas, coffees and hot beverages.
for the more adventurous, why not top up the weekend lindt
chocolate Weekend high Tea with a non-alcoholic or alcoholic
gourmet milkshake?
So in the true spirit of what high Tea stands for, the michelangelo
team sees it as a celebration and a treat – one of the most important
events of the day.
High Tea at the Michelangelo A neW SPin on An Ancient trADition
For additional information, pricing
or to make a booking please call
+27 11 282 7463.
lazy weekends in Johannesburg have never been the same since
high Tea was introduced at The Westcliff hotel. here, one may
indulge in asian bites like sushi and dim sum, steamed soy eggs
and spicy noodle salads; heart-warming and tasty tomato soup with
fresh basil; and the all-new rare roast beef sandwich, already a favo-
urite of most high Tea guests.
finely sliced sirloin roast beef is piled high on freshly baked 100%
rye bread, along with baby gem chiffonade, creamy horseradish, hot
mustard, piccallili and spicy tomato salsa. finger sandwiches are
filled with smoked salmon, trout and cream, and there is, amongst
the classics, also tuna on rye. Two vol-au-vents, mushroom empana-
das and savoury quiches continue the choice. chef lindy pretorius'
sweet afternoon Tea delicacies are all on offer as well.
and at last, because this is high Tea, there is the superb selection of
premium leaf teas and flowering teas sourced from tea specialists,
mingwei. high Tea is served with a view to thrill at The Westcliff’s la
Belle restaurant and terrace every Saturday and Sunday from 13h00
to 17h00. Bookings are advisable as high Tea is highly in demand.
one can also enjoy traditional afternoon Tea served in the loggia of the
la Belle Terrasse at the Westcliff, offering a selection of pastries and
sweet delicacies, from monday to friday between 15h00 and 17h00.
To make your booking, please call +27 (0) 11 481-6000 and ask for restaurant reservations.
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