AFTERNOON TEA AT CLARIDGE'S
Post by Judith Schrut - email judith0777@gmail.com
American expat and Anglophile Henry James famously quipped, “There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea." Whether it’s ‘builder’s brew’ in a chipped mug, black Assam leaves poured into fine porcelain or a pot served with scones, cream and jam in a village tea shop, you’ll find infinite ways to enjoy the universal British sport known as teatime.
But for a long time tea was a drink only the rich could afford, not surprising when a pound of tea might cost a labourer his annual wage. By the late 18th century the price of tea went down and its popularity shot up. The Victorian Duchess of Bedford, desperate for a pick me up between lunch and dinner, is commonly given credit for inventing the ritual of afternoon tea.
Traditional afternoon tea has long been top of the list for visitors to Britain and an immensely enjoyable special treat for the rest of us. With countless London and provincial hotels, restaurants and cafes offering up their version of afternoon tea, it’s not surprising that competition for the UK Tea Guild awards, the Oscars of the tea world, is a stiff one.
Standing head and shoulders above the fray, winning the Guild’s Award of Excellence for the past six years and Top London Afternoon Tea Place in 2011, is the deserving legend that is Claridge’s Hotel. Claridge’s is nestled in Mayfair’s cosy heart, finger-sandwiched between the shopping buzz of Oxford Street and Piccadilly’s traffic roar but a world away in atmosphere, elegance and ambience.
Tea time takes place in the hotel’s splendid Art Deco foyer and the adjacent Reading Room, and Claridge’s takes this daily celebration very seriously indeed. It just gets all the details right, from the generously filled all-you-can-eat sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and daily changing pastries created under the baking baton of Head Pastry Chef Nick Patterson to the exquisite live music and friendly, energetic and uniformly knowledgeable staff.
Tea timers have the very challenging task of selecting their fresh brew or infusion from over 40 specialty blends from around the globe. Deservedly most popular is Claridge’s own Royal Blend, but it’s a tough decision when the lovingly described menu includes tempting Cornish Tregnothnan Estate teas, exclusive Royal White Silver Needles and hand rolled Dragon Pearl Jasmine. Infusion lovers should consider the extraordinary Japanese Sencha Genmai Cha, a fragrant green tea laced with tiny toasted puffs of popcorn and rice. Never mind: those lovely Claridge’s staff will happily suggest you try something different for your second pot. Or your third.
Claridge’s Hotel, 49 Brook St, Mayfair, London W1
