Afternoon Tea

 

 

I love the ritual of afternoon tea. Whenever I give a shower, whether baby or bridal, I do a tea. When I travel to hotels with a "tea tradition" I love to make a reservation for tea. On of my most memorable teas was when we stayed at the Empress Hotel in Victoria, BC on  my honeymoon. The Empress web site describes it as follows:

 

 A time honoured tradition for over a century, the world renowned tea lobby of The Fairmont Empress has served England’s most beloved ritual and Victoria's grandest tradition of Afternoon Tea to famed royalty, celebrities and dignitaries alike. Surrounded by rich chintz fabrics, antiqued tapestries and rugs, elegant wing back chairs, vintage furnishings and hand-carved tables, the picturesque backdrop of the Inner Harbour provides the quintessential Victoria experience to all who grace Afternoon Tea.

Chef and Team serve hand-made signature Empress scones, delectable pastries and tea sweets prepared in house daily, reflecting locally sourced ingredients to ensure an authentically memorable experience. From the original blend of The Empress Tea created specifically for The Fairmont Empress, served in dainty William Edwards china and sterling silver service to the enchanting ambiance of the live piano, Afternoon Tea is an absolute 'must do' for all who visit Victoria.

They use the beautiful china above. My husband gave me this cute "tea for one" set on our first anniversary.

The tea they serve is also delicious. It is a blend of organic seasonal quality tea that was specially created for afternoon Tea at The Empress. The Assam component (2nd flush June production) gives a thick, malty and full-bodied character; the Kenya (Nandi region, January production) and Tanzania (Usambara region, January production) components give floral-like flavor and a golden coppery infusion; the South Indian component (Nilgiri mountains, January production) gives superb fruity and sprightly flavor with a lovely finish; the Ceylon (Dimbula region, January production) gives an airy, almost piquant, flavor that opens the blend; and the China (Anhui province, April production) gives a burgundy depth with light oaky notes. Truly one of the world's great teas! I buy this regularly from the Fairmont Store online and love it! What are your feeling about "tea time"?