Time For Tea

Whether it’s hot or iced, green, black or herbal, tea has been a favourite beverage for many. With its worldly origins, it has become a beloved beverage, allowing people to select a tea based on their mood or preference.
The increasing popularity of tea has sparked the trend of afternoon tea, a service that uses the drink as the focal point in one’s dining experience. Paying tribute to tea’s historical tradition, afternoon tea provides guests with a regal experience that is reminiscent of the Victorian era.

Originating in the 1800s, afternoon tea was created by Anna Maria Stanhope, the Duchess of Bedford. The duchess would often complain of hunger pains in the late afternoon, and would sneak some bread with a pot of tea to satisfy her hunger until dinnertime. Inspired by the European tea service, she began to invite her friends for an afternoon meal of tea, small sandwiches and sweet desserts. As the event became more popular, she turned it into a more social event — a tradition that has carried on and inspired different afternoon tea services around the world.

Served with a combination platter of sweet and savoury foods, the tea is often enjoyed with small sandwiches and pastries, such as scones, muffins or croissants. The sweet foods are served with jam or Devonshire cream, a thick cream condiment that adds decadence to the foods and enhances their flavour. The cream is named after the Devonshire region in southwestern England, further paying tribute to the English origin of afternoon tea.
For guests looking to experience the traditional tea service first-hand, afternoon tea in North America is an emerging trend. In Canada, the tea service is offered by various luxury hotels and restaurants, and often adheres to the royal tradition, adding elegance, class and a sense of formality to provide guests with a decadent dining experience.

However, The Fairmont Algonquin in St. Andrews, N.B., prides itself on treating its guests to a relaxed style of afternoon tea. In what they refer to as “resort casual,” the hotel has put a Maritime spin on the tradition. The more casual environment is a result of the fusion of the traditional Old World charm of afternoon tea with the hotel’s modern luxuries.

Offered in the hotel since 1889, afternoon tea is served throughout the year to provide its guests with a relaxing escape from their daily routines. “It’s a different style of relaxation… a very quaint and quiet little place,” says Ryan Dunne, director of food and beverage at The Fairmont Algonquin. “It’s a neat place to get away from the hustle and bustle and stress of the city, and just relax and rejuvenate, kick back and get some rest.”
The Grand Algonquin Tea is served on the hotel’s Front Veranda, as well as in the dining room of the hotel’s Library Lounge and Bistro.

“It’s been served here for so long… It’s a very classic type of service,” says Dunne. “It’s such a tradition. It’s pretty neat when you come here… to step into hotels that were built 100 years ago, sit in a dining room that was there 100 years ago, and be part of something that is [still] being done today… There is a very nostalgic feel to that.”

Although the tradition of afternoon tea has carried on at the hotel, The Fairmont Algonquin’s menu has changed throughout the years. In a modern twist, the hotel strives to provide its guests with local ingredients on the afternoon tea menu. The tea service begins with the serving of port-marinated peaches with whipped cream. The three-tier course includes fresh baked scones served with clotted cream, the hotel’s homemade New Brunswick Blueberry Preserve and assorted jams. The finger sandwiches contain Maritime lobster and salmon, as well as cucumber with mini yogurt, and prosciutto and asparagus. An assortment of freshly baked desserts concludes the tea service.

As for the selection of teas, the hotel provides fruity, herbal teas such as Berry Berry Herb and Fruit Tea, described as “full-flavoured with deep berry notes,” and Kyoto Cherry Rose Green Tea, through which “sweet cherry and morning rose flavour meander.” Traditional favourites include The Fairmont Breakfast, Earl Grey or Empress Blend, which is “malty and full-bodied with hints of floral flavour and a touch of oakiness.”
To have, as Dunne says, “a little bit of an even more relaxing afternoon,” he suggests the option of upgrading the tea to either Grand Marnier & Amaretto with Earl Grey tea, or a glass of champagne that is finished with a delectable serving of chocolate truffles.

For a more children-friendly tea service, The Fairmont Algonquin offers the “Mad Hatter Tea Party” to provide younger guests with a menu that is catered to children. The Alice in Wonderland-themed menu includes the “Drink This” Potion, a choice of iced tea, juice, milk or hot chocolate. Alice’s Fruit Cups are mixed berries served with melon. The White Rabbit’s Happy Sandwiches provide three types of miniature sandwiches, including peanut butter and jelly, cheddar cheese and sliced ham. For the dessert course, The Queen of Heart’s Tarts include fresh berry tarts, chocolate mini cream puffs and shortbread wafers.

Unlike some of the other afternoon tea services offered across Canada, The Fairmont Algonquin does not have a dress code for its guests, making it a more casual environment to enjoy the tea.
“Resort people come here for rest and vacation, and they can experience the same type of service and same quality of tea and food that you would get at any other Fairmont across the country. It’s a different sort of casual,” explains Dunne.

With its rich history and trademark elegance, afternoon tea is a tradition worth experiencing.
For more information on afternoon tea rooms across Canada, visit lifestylemagazine.ca
 

Do-It-Yourself Tea
Making tea a made-for-me experience

Planning afternoon tea in the comfort of your own home can be easier than you think. Depending on how formal the event is, it can be a great way to invite guests over for a cup of tea in a fun and social environment.
To help prepare an afternoon tea that is sure to be a hit with guests, Ryan Dunne, food and beverage director at The Fairmont Algonquin, says emulating the hotel’s tea service is all about the menu.

To make the serving of the beverage an easy and entertaining event, he suggests offering a variety of different types of tea — fruity, herbal, antioxidant, traditional and decaffeinated teas.

Although the food can be a little more complex, Dunne says freshness is first priority when it comes to offering guests a selection of pastries and soft sandwiches. Presentation is key, so he suggests using a three-tier tea tower to display the delectable treats.

Creating the right atmosphere for afternoon tea is crucial, to provide guests with a fun and memorable tea experience. The setting for the tea includes using fine china, shiny cutlery and linen table settings.
“It’s about creating that experience of elegance in your home,” says Dunne.

Designating a theme, such as a Garden Tea Party, can be perfect for the spring and summer, as on warmer days the soiree can be held outside on a patio, with a nearby garden. Floral-designed plates and teacups can accompany this theme, along with a dress code such as floral prints and bright colours, or even white-only clothing, to allow the splash of colours of the floral decor to take over.

For a gender-neutral occasion, a theme that centres around the tea regions of the world can be a fun way to make the event a social one. People can try samples from different regions and, perhaps, play a guessing game. You may have a few tea connoisseurs on your hands!

A chic alternative to going to the local coffee or tea shop, afternoon tea is a trendy dining experience that can make tea even more enjoyable for everyone. • 

Photos Courtesy The Fairmont Algonquin