Robyn's Personal Tea History

A Neophyte

I will admit that I was a late bloomer when it came to tea appreciation as I was not raised in a home where tea was a regular occurrence (more of a coffee family - from my German side - where coffee and kuchen (cake) was the norm).  And it wasn't until I was 29 years young that I really fell in love with the whole tea ritual.

The Rose, Oxford, England

In the summer of 2002, my husband and I (then boyfriend) went to England and France.  Of course, I knew that "tea" was synonymous with ENGLAND and therefore was determined to experience a real afternoon tea while I was there (along with fish and chips wrapped up in newspaper - we did not do so well with this goal).  For some unknown reason we did not go for tea in London, but when we were in Oxford on a perfectly picturesque sunny day where we were surrounded with a cricket match, punting on the Thames and yes, tea, we went for my first real afternoon tea at a place on the High Street called The Rose.  It was so very delightful.  Everything was amazing!  Perfectly prepared tea, freshly baked scones, creamy and decadent devonshire cream and sticky strawberry preserves awakened my senses and captivated me.  Like one reviewer said about their scones: "It's like a tiny piece of heaven slathered with strawberry goodness." I knew that I was hooked for life.  It was so very English, and so proper (but not stuffy), and so in-the-moment.  For me it became a moment where time froze and I could just enjoy the pleasure of my senses.  What I also realized later was that the ritual of afternoon tea also connected me to the past.  The British have been doing tea for the last three hundred plus years (see the link below for a brief history of tea in Britain)! And doing it very well indeed.

http://www.panix.com/~kendra/tea/afternoon_tea.html

These are my three favourite teacups!

Honing the Craft

Needless to say, when I returned to Canada I started incorporating tea drinking and afternoon tea into my life.  I was fortunate enough to be given some beautiful antique tea cups from my maternal grandmother and my mother as well as some gorgeous tea pots, coffee carafes, silver flatware (including small "tea" spoons), sugar and creamers and a lovely silver tray.  For my first time hosting a tea party I made four types of tea and paired each tea with a complementary finger sandwich and even made my own scones (this was quite a feat for me as cooking is not one of my fortes.)  It was so much fun and I quickly learned that I was not alone in my love of afternoon tea.  In fact, just a few months prior to this event I met Sarah (my co-blogger) and tea was certainly one of the reasons we became fast friends (including our mutual love of literature, academia and organization).  People of all ages love afternoon tea!

Since then I have hosted many-a-tea party and made a point of frequenting afternoon tea destinations everywhere I go.

Places I've Been

Here are some of the places I've been thus far for afternoon tea (and smaller venues that only offer Cream Teas or just tea with a dessert item):

Vancouver

Bacchus at The Wedgewood Hotel http://www.wedgewoodhotel.com/index.php  

~amazing ambiance, perfect cosy spot for a winter afternoon tea

Fleuri at The Sutton Place Hotel http://www.vancouver.suttonplace.com/default.htm

~you can have a private room for larger parties

The Secret Tea Garden http://www.secretgardentea.com/  

~A little foray into grandma's house

Fairmont Hotel at YVR http://www.fairmont.com/vancouverairport 

~Amazing service and impeccable food, there is even a Junior Tea for children!

The Urban Tea Merchant  http://www.urbantea.com/
~I have been to both locations (Park Royal which is closing very soon - April 2012, and downtown) and will miss the Park Royal location very much!!!  They do have a wonderful tea selection and the price of the tea is most indicative of the quality.

Soirette http://soirette.com/

~They make their own macarons and it is a lovely place to go for a nice tea and treat.

Apres-Midi Premium Teahouse http://www.apresmiditea.com/

~A lovely place to go when it is rainy and you would like a "rain dripping down the window" experience while taking your tea.

Simply French Cafe (no website but located at 3742 West 10th Avenue, 604.568.6180)

~Simply the BEST croissants that I have found outside of Paris made by a woman who trained to make them in Paris.  So crispy and buttery and perfect!
 

British Columbia and Alberta

The Empress Hotel, Victoria, B.C. http://www.fairmont.com/empress/

~Truly the Canadian mothership for afternoon tea.  Comes with a hefty price tag but well worth the experience!

Murchie's Tea and Coffee, Victoria, B.C. http://www.murchies.com/store/

~Not my favourite.  Kind of like the McDonalds of tea.  This goes for the ones in Vancouver as well.  This is very sad as Murchie's had a very good reputation at one time.

The Banff Springs Hotel, Banff, Alberta www.fairmont.com/banffsprings/

~You can not beat the scenery here both inside and out.  Outstanding quality like the other Fairmont Hotels.

 

Europe

 

Laduree, Paris, France http://www.laduree.fr/

~I have been to every location in Paris (there are five) and my hands-down favourite is on Rue Bonaparte.  Even visiting their website is an amazing experience! 

My First Trip to Paris in 2002 - I was entranced by macarons!

Laduree, Rue Bonaparte, Paris

Laduree, Rue Royale, Paris

 

 

Laduree, Rue Bonaparte, Paris

Laduree, Rue Bonaparte, Paris

**A special note about Paris (ok, there are MANY special notes about Paris, but this one is concerning tea).  While in Paris in 2006 (on my own pilgrimage and as a special gift from my husband), I happened up the most beautiful little elephant tea pots and tea creamer as well as some fabulous sugar clamps that resemble a heron.  This was my second elephant tea pot as the first came as a Valentine's gift from my husband. It has its trunk up, which is very lucky.  You'll understand this insight if you watch the classic Aussie movie, The Castle.  Great for a good laugh!  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Castle_%28film%29

My super lucky elephant tea pots - both trunks are up!  

 

The Willow Tea Rooms, Glasgow, Scotland http://www.willowtearooms.co.uk/

Named after the font designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh in 1904 and a Glaswegian as well.

Looking Forward

My goal is to continue experiencing the pleasures of tea many places around the world and hope that all you tea lovers will be inspired to do the same!  Please go onto our Facebook page and share your experiences and ideas with us!

All the best,

Robyn