What is it with the English and their obsession with tea? Is it a throw-back to Empire? Is it because it seems exotic? Not that builder’s tea is that exotic sounding. Perhaps it is the unique ability to refresh, whatever the weather, whatever that state of mind and whatever is happening in the economy.
It really is as English as an English thing – especially when you have it with milk or lemon. Does anyone really drink their tea with lemon nowadays? The only person I’ve known to have drunk tea with lemon was the Duke of Richmond, when I was invited round a few years back. Maybe I’ll give it a try one day. At the moment milk, no sugar and a nice caramel colour, thanks.
Quite simply you go somewhere delightful. From a farm on the Isle of Wight to a rather decadent hotel in London’s Kensington and many places in between. You are shown to your seats as your coats are whisked away by an attentive member of staff. Sometimes you are seated in a field with delightful views over Tennyson Down watching the Peregrines dive bomb their lunch. Sometimes you are seated by a roaring log fire, warming you on a snowy winter day. Sometimes you are relaxing on a terrace, enjoying the rays of sunshine caressing you whilst looking across some magnificent views. And other times? You are sitting in an exquisite dining room, one fit for Kings and Queens, princes and princesses, emissaries and envoys. And once, we were sitting in the sun lounge of a seaside hotel in Brighton watching the waves crashing onto the shore as the sun glinted off the pier.
When you are settled into your wonderful surroundings then your afternoon tea is served. This often consists of a choice of teas, mine is always a Darjeeling, and a cake stand. On the cake stand you will find fingers of delightful sandwiches, often filled with ham and mustard, cucumber and smoked salmon. Not only are there sandwiches, there are mouth-watering scones, with clotted cream and (ideally) strawberry jam.
Closely on the heels of the scones are the little cakes that simply melt in your mouth. Then at our favourite spot, South Lodge Hotel, a great big slice of cake from the cake trolley, just when you think you can’t take any more. Thankfully they can pop that slice of cake into a box to take home for the rest of the family.
If you are travelling to England and want something quintessentially English, you want a treat, want to treat someone else or just plain indulge in a little gluttony and decadence, then Afternoon Tea is surely recommended.
