It’s Four O’Clock Somewhere: A Tea-Lover’s Tour of London
I grew up in a tea-drinking family. In the south where tea was usually black with copious amounts of sugar and lemon, whether iced or hot, tea could be consumed at any time of the day. So when my family and I decided to go to London to catch some shows, having afternoon tea would certainly be included.
Our tea tour began in the airport lounge with a cup of Tregothnan Red Berry tea. Tregothnan, the only grower of tea in England, produces a Red Berry tea that is a perfect blend of strawberries, raspberries and apples, all grown in Tregothnan’s Cornwall gardens. This vibrant red, fruity and floral tea began our tour on a festive note.
After settling into our hotel in Mayfair, we hopped on the tube and set out for 216 Strand, the original Twinings tea shop. Opened over 300 years ago, this store holds an extensive array of Twinings teas. Lining the walls of this narrow, though updated boutique, containers of tea leaves were available for enjoyment by smell, sampling, and by purchase. After tasting the special Coronation blend, we purchased Twinings 2nd Flush Assam TGFOP#1 loose leaf tea and a few flavored cold water tea bags for our water bottles.
Deciding on the next stop on our tea tour proved to be the most challenging. We wanted to experience London’s quintessential afternoon tea spot. There were a few contenders. Should we return to The Ritz for tea in the lavishly decorated Palm Court, or try the Savoy Hotel where afternoon tea is served in the radiant, glass-domed Thames Foyer? Both venues featured unique tea blends, a live pianist, and champagne, creating an unforgettable tea experience. Ultimately, we selected Brown's Hotel in Mayfair, known as London’s first hotel and the place where Queen Victoria took her afternoon tea. Brown's served a quintessentially British afternoon tea. While sitting in the hotel’s elegant Drawing Room, we indulged in an assortment of tea sandwiches, pastries, and scones with clotted cream and jam, as well as a variety of teas from around the world.
Finally, we concluded our tea tour at the not-your-average-grocery-store Fortnum and Mason, a British institution founded in 1707, now known for its luxury picnic hampers, gourmet foods, and exceptional teas. Here we chose to create our own custom tea blend under the guidance of their tea expert. With Fortnum and Mason’s Bespoke Blending Service, we were allowed to choose between two types of green or three varieties of black tea, pick the flavor notes (malty, woody, nutty, etc.), and strength, then select which colors of floral petals to add for decoration. Lastly, creating the name for our unique blend and watching the addition of our personalized label was so much fun!
Tea Bae at Fortnum and Mason
A tea tour of London isn’t just about tasting different teas; it's a way to immerse oneself in the rich culture and history of England. In addition, some research has shown a reduced risk of heart disease in people who drink 1-2 cups of unsweetened green or black tea daily. So, consider embarking on your own tea tour, and enjoy all the flavors, history and charm that London has to offer.
More about tea
Depending on the processing method, decaffeinated teas may lose some of the polyphenols or plant chemicals that give tea their distinctive flavors and aromas, which are associated with a variety of health benefits. If a decaffeinated tea is desired, consider an herbal tea that is naturally decaffeinated.
Drinking burning-hot tea has been associated with an increased risk of developing esophageal (“throat”) cancer. Please allow tea to cool below 140˚F before consuming.