Afternoon tea in London and where should you go for it...
Our daughter Gaïa has a nose for all things delicious - could it be in the genes? During our city trip to London, she had a few culinary surprises for us. An absolute highlight and must-try was the (spirited) afternoon tea. But what is afternoon tea and where in London should you go for it? Let me tell you all about this truely English experience in this blog!
What is afternoon tea?
Afternoon tea is typically English mid-day treat, eaten usually around 4 pm. It is somewhere in the middle between an afternoon snack and a light meal. Afternoon tea combines savory sandwiches with miniature sweet pastries and scones accompanied by tea. It is a bit like our four-hour snack of coffee and cake, but more elaborate.
Is it afternoon tea or high tea?
In our parts, afternoon tea is also called high tea, but they are not the same. Afternoon tea is an afternoon sweet treat while high tea is a hot evening meal eaten by hard-working laborers.
Throwing an afternoon tea party!
I enjoy having friends or family over for an afternoon tea party. It's easier than you think! You just need to follow some basic rules. Oh, and don’t forget to dress up nicely!
Tea, champagne or cocktails?
Tea, of course. It’s a must! Make your afternoon tea even more English and serve the tea in a beautiful porcelain cup. In my opinion, a glass of bubbles should also be included. This way it becomes just that little bit more festive spirited afternoon tea. Why not go for cocktails and mocktails? Just like they do at Lyan-ess, the well-known London cocktail bar. You'll find out more about that soon
Essentials: the sandwiches
These are not your regular sandwiches, of course. Sandwiches at afternoon tea traditionally consist of slices of white and brown bread, without a crust and cut into small rectangles. You top them with smoked salmon, egg salad, cucumber and fresh cheese, and finally chicken or ham.
I like to give a twist to these classics. For example, I top my sandwiches with avocado and crab. Sometimes I spread fresh goat cheese on fine slices of focaccia and finish them with roasted paprika, a touch of honey and za'tar. I also like mini bagels with pastrami or roast beef, mustard sauce, radish and watercress. Finally, I also add a small sweet sandwich topped with egg salad and salmon caviar, finished with chives
Pastries
In terms of pastries, anything is possible, but they must be small in size. The prettier, the better! Serve 3 to 4 small desserts per person. Are there children around? Then small fruit tarts, mini cupcakes, wafers and macarons are a good option.
Scones
Another word for a typically English biscuit: scones! They really are an important part of afternoon tea. You cut the scone in half crosswise, spread a generous layer of clotted cream on top and finally a spoonful of your favorite jam. Or you do it the other way around. The first way is the Devon way, the second the Cornish way.
We don’t really use clotted cream and often replace it with unsweetened, whipped cream. For a fresher, summery version, you can leave out the jam and add fresh strawberries or raspberries.
Spirited afternoon tea at Lyan-ess in London
During our visit to London, afternoon tea could not be missed. Although there is a twist to the story. Gaïa took us to Lyan-ess for a spirited afternoon tea. Lyan-ess is the brainchild of Mr. Lyan, a well-known Brit and one of the best mixologists in the world. You can find the cocktail bar in the hotel Sea Containers, located along the Southbank.
Cocktails and tea at Lyan-ess
Spirited tea is a playful approach to afternoon tea. At Lyan-ess, they combine cocktails and tea with sandwiches, scones and small pastries. The cocktail menu is composed according to certain ingredients, such as house-made vinegars, bitters and tree caramel. The caramel is a syrup with a fruity and woody aroma, drawn from the invasive African braai wood. I decide to first taste the caramel separately, before ordering a rapoport. In addition to tree caramel, the gin-based cocktail contains Empirical Plum, vermouth and VORS sherry. The result is stunning.
After a glass of champagne, the small tea sandwiches are brought out. They are topped with cucumber, smoked salmon, chicken and egg salad. The pastries are a real treat: the chocolate éclair with caramelized banana is my favorite. There are also a mini tart with lemongrass and passion fruit, and a coconut panna cotta with honeycomb and berries. Lyan-ess serves the scones the traditional way, with clotted cream and blueberry marmalade. The scones are to die for: the crust is beautifully golden and the inside is tender and flaky.
