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.

Elevated High TeaAt the WeStcliff

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