Friday 1 March 2013

Cream Tea & Twinings


I'm a serial mis-matcher of vintage china, an excuse to break out a few of my favourite patterns or latest additions to my ever growing china family (the boy despairs) is always welcome. My teenage weekends and school holidays were spent serving endless cream teas, hand cut sandwiches and slices of cake in a lakeside tearoom. I've whipped countless bowls of double cream, filled thousands of teapots and could probably pave a tennis court with all the scones I've sliced, so it feels decadent to serve myself now and then; a miniature tea party for two was the order of the day. 

I have something of an obsession with floral infused black teas and have tried so many over the past couple of years, they aren't to everyones taste but are definitely worth sampling. I was offered the chance to review a couple of teas from Twinings recently, Lavender Earl Grey was top of my wish list! The scent was divine even before I tore open the box, so the aroma while it steeped was heavenly - I experimented a little and found that three minutes brewing was just right for me. I'm an oddity when it comes to how I take my tea - it depends more than anything on my mood - so I've sipped this black, black with sugar, with a teaspoon of milk, with milk and sugar. Earl Grey in itself I find refreshing, add the lavender and it has a new dimension; the zesty bergamot is still discernible but the lavender lifts it somehow into something a touch more mellow. This has been my mid afternoon staple lately and an instant favourite, perfect to serve as part of an afternoon tea.

My second tea choice was Detox tea from the Benefit range as I'm always on the watch for caffeine free teas to enjoy - it can be a very hit and miss affair finding one that isn't all mouth and no trousers! So many of them smell fantastic but taste disappointing. Detox is a blend of lemon peel, milk thistle and lemon myrtle. This smells like high summer to me - freshly cut grass to begin with, the lemon then becomes more pronounced the longer the tea steeps and is more of a hug-your-mug than high tea sort of brew. I really did not enjoy the first cup, I had flounced off to answer the door for a parcel, left the bag in a little too long and found it was slightly bitter, I was more watchful the second time around! The lemon flavour is strong and citrus and I found it left a pleasant warmth in my throat as well as my mouth though underneath the zest is something slightly medicinal that definitely wasn't an immediate hit with my tastebuds. This blend was a grower for me, I find it very refreshing so great for first thing in the morning but not something I'd reach for purely on a taste basis.

35 comments :

  1. Oh my <3 Your mismatched china is beautiful, I love it ! The lavender Earl Grey must have been delicious, I am a huge fan of flower/fruit infused teas <3
    xx
    Valeria
    www.buildinghopes.blogspot.it

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  2. Oh my, these pictures are lovely! I love the design and the set is gorgeous. Everything looks so delicious. xx

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  3. How much would I love to come to a tea party at your house? A lot! That's how much. So jealous of your beautiful china. I only have a small collection and it already drives Ben insane :P

    Jen | sunny sweet pea xx

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  4. How gorgeous.:)
    I need to make afternoon tea as I have lots of lovely mismatched china myself.On my to do list.x

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  5. I love Lavender Early Grey! I have a box in my drawer at work ;) I prefer it with a bit of milk, no sugar.. I really do love all your tea sets! xxx

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  6. Stunning images as ever. Since you sent me Twinings Rose Tea I have added the lavender blend to my stash, and enjoy it as a late afternoon/evening drink. x

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  7. Anth loves Earl Grey (I can't stand the stuff! I liken it to drinking perfume) I will have to keep my eyes open for the lavender version. Such pretty piccies Jem (as always) x

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  8. I love your collection of mismatched vintage china, so pretty~*

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  9. really, REALLY must try that lavender flavoured earl grey. sounds amazing! tried the Twinings rose garden tea you recommended aaaages ago and that was out of this world so will make sure I try this too.

    photos are stunning as usual x

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  10. I love a Twinings but favour lemon and ginger.

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  11. Mmm, lavender earl grey sounds very appealing-and your photographs are as appealing as ever x

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  12. I first tried Lavender Twinings on your recommendation a while ago now and I love it so you're leaning on an open door here ;-)

    PS I love your sugar lump action shot - brill photo!!!

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  13. Your photography skills are amazing - this was such a visual treat.

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  14. Lavender Earl Grey sounds delish! I must try it, with the cheery Madeira I make every Sunday!

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  15. I love a cream tea and I'm jealous of your job in a tea room - that is just heaven on earth! I love Twinings tea (Everyday is my tea of choice) and I'm intrigued by the lavender Earl Grey - I love Earl Grey and I love lavender so I'll be looking out for this! Lovely china too :)

    rachael @ made up of little things xx

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  16. oh, how I love cream teas :) it is something I first came across while reading a book in which the characters were just about to have their teatime and since then I'm stuck with it :) and now I'm craving scones and some breakfast-tea
    Have a wonderful Sunday :)
    Hugs from Cici

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  17. I visited Hastings today and every time I spotted a pretty tea cup I thought of you :)

    That lavender earl grey sounds absolutely heavenly!

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  18. These photos make me yearn for an afternoon tea party in the gardens! I'm super obsessed with trying out new teas so I'll have to look for these next time I do my weekly grocery shopping. The lavender Earl Grey definitely sounds like a tea I'd love. :)

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  19. Is there anything better than tea? I mean, really?

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  20. That last picture is amazing and says it all!

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  21. i love tea!
    this has made me crave a brew, i might have to go make one ;)
    Rosie xo
    A Pocketful of Rosie

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  22. This is lovely, I love tea too. great photos! I've done some photos on vintage china you might like - http://photographywithemily.wix.com/emily#!vintage-china/c1x27 and this is my blog - http://emsdarkroom.blogspot.co.uk great blog. Emily x

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  23. That sugar lump photo is just divine!

    I've loved tea ever since my grandmother introduced it to me. Hot tea, iced tea (none of the powdered stuff, mind you), tea with milk or lemon, fruity or flowery teas, they just make me feel relaxed and warm, and comfy all at once.

    Your mismatched china looks like art. :D

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  24. How lovely! I especially like the last photo, beautiful capture.

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  25. Great pics they really jump out at you X
    http://lottiloveslondon.blogspot.co.uk/

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  26. Sip of tea...bite of dark chocolate and everything is fine in the world! Can you ship over everything in these gorgeous photos for my studio high tea?:) Love your work Jem!!!!

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  27. Love the sound of the detox tea, will definitely be on the look out for it. Gorgeous pictures as always oxo

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  28. Miss-matched china is so pretty! I used to be really into trying different teas but I've been a little boring recently, I need to get back into it for sure!

    Jennie xo | sailorjennie.com

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  29. Oh I so need a cup of tea! Love you post.

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  30. I'm a big fan of Earl Grey - I seem to be the only one that drinks it in my office though! I love a proper china teacup but I don't have any that I actually use! I need to rectify this!
    I love how beautifully photographed this is! Especially of the sugar lump dropping in the tea.

    Jenni x

    Bows Bangles & Bakes

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  31. I've been so into drinking tea lately and this is making me want a cup right now. All of your china is beautiful, too!
    Jillian - PS, if you have a moment, I'd love to invite you to check out the giveaway we're hosting for a $50.00 giftcard to Shabby Apple!

    http://epic-thread.blogspot.com/2013/03/shabby-apple-giveaway.html

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  32. that shot of the sugar cube going into the tea...lovely! Thank you so much for sponsoring manzanita this month, I hope you enjoy your stay!

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  33. I am an absolute sucker for tea's, I will have to try out the new lavender one!I love the very last picture too!:')annie x

    www.cheramiblogger.blogspot.co.uk

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