Blackberry Meringue Pie

“There was a table set out under a tree in front of the house, and the March Hare and the Hatter were having tea at it: a Dormouse was sitting between them, fast asleep, and the other two were using it as a cushion, resting their elbows on it, and talking over its head. `Very uncomfortable for the Dormouse,’ thought Alice; `only, as it’s asleep, I suppose it doesn’t mind.’

The table was a large one, but the three were all crowded together at one corner of it: `No room! No room!’ they cried out when they saw Alice coming. `There’s plenty of room!’ said Alice indignantly, and she sat down in a large arm-chair at one end of the table.” Alice In Wonderland, Chapter 7

I do rather love that introductory paragraph to perhaps one of the most famous tea parties in the world.  It always made me wonder what was on the table aside from the tea that made Alice so indignantly want to sit down.  When I first read the book I did’t speak English all that well but had a mind full of images of different teapots with different teas, very British scones and sandwiches made from soft, white bread and cakes.  Not the square cakes my mother used to make in our roasting tray because we had no cake tins, but the properly British round ones with cream and strawberries, chocolate and cherries.  Magical.

Every now and then it’s fun to create that tea party at home.  A little change to dinner parties and an event to celebrate this glorious British summer we are having.

Let’s start with tea

I cannot believe the explosion of artisan tea in the UK.  It’s great to see. Here are a few online shops I’d suggest to help you get started in discovering loose leaf tea

• Comins Tea House – don’t let the ‘tea house’ element of the name put you off.  These guys do actually have a tea house in Dorset but you can buy their beautiful teas online too.  The teas are personally sourced by Rob and Michelle Comins from small single estates around the world.  Try the Sencha Karigane, First Flush Darjeeling and the Dong Ding Oolong.
• Adagio Tea have a huge range including herbal teas and flavoured teas. The site has a great blog where you can read about how the tea is sourced. You can buy the tea in bags, tins or sampler sets which is quite handy.  Try the Vanilla Tea
• The East India Company – I always visit this shop when I’m in London.  Once you’ve finished gawping at the beautiful china wander over to the tea bar, have a chat with Lalith and choose your perfect blends.  I’d go for Jasmine Pearls and Lapsang Souchong.
• Kandula Tea Company – I fell in love with proper tea again in Sri Lanka a few years ago.  In fact I bought so much back that it was all I drank for about a year.  All Kandula teas are picked processed and packed in Sri Lanka helping support the estate communities.  Try the Afternoon Ceylon and the Ivory White Ceylon.

Cakes are of prime importance too of course!

So aside from the perfect scone here’s what would be on my table.

• Sally Prosser’s Victoria Sandwich Cake – well this is a must have and Sally’s family recipe uses that old fashioned method of weighing the eggs to get the right weights for the flour, sugar and margarine. Yes margarine. There are a few good ethical ones that you can buy.  This works well with a Darjeeling or Assam.
• Helen Best Shaw’s Banoffee Eclairs – I know that eclairs are a bit French but they are a must on our afternoon tea table. This recipe from Helen is step by step simplicity with a lovely easy filling you can experiment with. I would opt for a refreshing white tea to go with them.
• Nazima Pathan’s Lychee Mousse Cake – the whole afternoon tea ritual is decadent so add an impressive layered mousse cake cut into bite sized pieces.  An Oolong would be lovely with this fruity cake.
• My Champagne and Chocolate Macarons – I could eat a whole batch of these. A perfect chocolatey component for the table which pairs equally with fizz as it does with an english Breakfast Tea

Finally I think the table needs something tart. A lemon meringue pie or mini version using summer berries. This would work well with any green tea.

And if you just want someone to make it all for you? 

If all that seems far too much effort then go and enjoy someone else’s hard work! Here are a few London recommendations but check  The Afternoon Tea website for offers before you go.  They change all the time.

• The Afternoon Tea Bus – a must do in London.  Afternoon tea on a double decker bus.  The quality of the food and tea is very good and you get a lovely sightseeing tour too.
• Cinnamon Soho – for something abit different but equally traditional, try the High Chai.
• The Mandarin Oriental – I love this one. Dainty delights but great tea menu too.
• The Ritz – it has to be done just once in a lifetime. The sandwiches never run out and the scones are mini perfection.

So are you a fan of afternoon tea? What would be on your table? where is the best afternoon tea you’ve had? I’m always on the lookout!