Entertaining and catching up with family/friends is one of my favorite activities. As the leaves turn golden in the crisp autumn air, there’s no better way to embrace the season than with a scrumptious Afternoon Tea. This charming tradition offers the perfect opportunity to savor seasonal flavors with a cozy ambiance. Whether it’s a symbol of hospitality, friendship or shared enjoyment at a tea house, I’ve found that sitting down with a cup of tea is a great way to connect and recharge. Served between lunch and dinner, the meal includes a clever combo of savory and sweet, with finger sandwiches, pastries and scones, that are usually displayed on a tiered serving tray.
Afternoon tea, with its elegant setting and delectable treats, is a tradition that is celebrated around the globe. While the tea time “concept” started in the UK, different cultures have added their own quaint spin on the notion, infusing local flavors and customs into the ritual.
1.) United Kingdom: Traditional Afternoon Tea The birthplace of afternoon tea, the United Kingdom offers a quintessential experience. Traditional accompaniments include English breakfast tea, Darjeeling, or Earl Grey. The classically pink Peggy Porschen is one of my favorite afternoon tea spots in London.
2.) Morocco: Mint Tea in the Maghrebi Style Morocco’s unique tea experience with Maghrebi mint tea is also popular in Algeria, Niger and Mali. A symbol of hospitality, I love the ornate glasses that the green tea, infused with fresh mint leaves and sugar, is served in. Mint tea with lunch in Marrakech is always delightful, but when I want to bump it up I notch, I go to Royal Mansour Marrakech.
3.) Turkey: Turkish Delights with Çay During a brief layover in Istanbul, I indulged in the rich flavors of Turkish çay (tea) served in tulip-shaped glasses. I can’t wait to get back to Turkey to experience a customary Turkish tea in a bazaar.
4.) Japan: Elegant Tea Ceremony Accompanied by a ceremony that is rooted in precision and grace, tea time takes on a more ritualistic form with a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Served with delicate wagashi (Japanese sweets), matcha green tea takes the lead.
5.) South Africa: Rooibos Tea This local drink of choice in the “rainbow nation.” The caffeine-free beverage is often paired with a slice of milk tart or biltong (dried meat). Belmond’s Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town has a delicious and very affordable Afternoon Tea.
6.) India: Chai and Spices: Chai reigns supreme in India. Infused with cloves, cinnamon, ginger and cardamom, it is usually served with milk and sugar. When I visited Mumbai, I had my afternoon tea with samosas and sweets like gulab jamun.
7.) France: Salon de Thé: Known as "le goûter," French afternoon tea is a display of artistry that features a selection of éclairs, pastries, and tarts, accompanied by aromatic teas and champagne. Laudurée on the Champs-Elysées is my standby when in Paris.
8.) China: Dim Sum and Tea – China’s dim sum tea (such as jasmine or oolong) is served with small plates of savory dumplings and buns.
Traveling the world to savor different teas is not just about flavors; it's about the stories, history, and cultures that surround each cup. These tea-infused adventures have allowed me to immerse myself in the diverse ways people connect, celebrate, and find solace in their daily rituals."
“Each cup of tea represents an imaginary voyage” - Catherine Douzel