14th August
marks the start of Afternoon Tea Week – definitely a week we can get behind!
The tradition dates
back to the 1840s when the Seventh Duchess of Bedford found herself a bit
peckish in the long gap in between lunch and dinner at 8pm. And so Afternoon
Tea was born. I wonder if she knew the legacy she was creating? (her and the
Earl of Sandwich should be very proud!)
Everyone loves
afternoon tea. Whether it’s the full on sandwich fingers and 17 different types
of cake or it’s ‘just’ a well made cuppa with a scone smothered in jam and then
cream (that way round please, it’s the only way), it’s all good.
It needs to start with
the perfect cup of tea of course. We’re partial to a bit of Yorkshire Tea,
unsurprisingly, and we also love Taylors of Harrogate, Pukka and Twinings. We
even sell loose leaf tea so you can brew a proper pot. And we’ve a tea for
every mood – whether you like an Earl Grey or a Wild Apple and Cinnamon, we
should have something to hit the spot.
For an extra special
cup of tea, the Flora range takes some beating. If you’ve never tried a
flowering tea, you’ve no idea what you’re missing! When placed in boiling
water, not only does it create a subtle green tea of your choosing, but a
hidden flower uncurls in the cup. It’s very beautiful, and one cup of tea which
should really be enjoyed in a wine glass, not china!
Of course, the clue to
afternoon tea is in the name – tea – but if you’re more a fan of coffee we
won’t tell. You can buy loose beans from us by weight, and we’ll even grind
them for you. The Brazilian Sweet River is a popular choice. Taylors of
Harrogate have some great ready to grab bags for your cafetiere from the
relaxed Lazy Sunday to the strong and smoky After Dark. Grumpy Mule offer some
award-winning blends, including organic and Fairtrade.
Cakes is something we
have plenty of at Hunters, have no fear. We have some great fruit cakes from
the Harrogate Cake Co (every afternoon tea stand needs a slice of tea loaf),
and we’d highly recommend the new range we have in from famous Cotswolds’
bakery Huffkins. Apricot and Almond Fruitcake anyone? Or how about Chocolate
and Orange or Pecan and Cherry?
We have our own range
of biscuits, and we don’t like to boast, but they’re pretty amazing. Rhubarb
and custard shortbread, chocolate crumbles, lemon and white chocolate
shortbread, apple and cinnamon oaties – whether you’re a dunker or a cruncher,
they’re definitely more than moreish. We also stock the delicate Swedish
favourites Annas Thins – cappuccino, orange and almond varieties. They’re great
on their own, but you can also pair them with cheese or fruit.
An afternoon tea
should really include a good quality scone – and the best quality preserves and
cream. How about Blackberry and Elderflower Jam, Apricot, or even a spot of
Tutti Frutti? Or if a traditional strawberry or raspberry jam is what you need
to call it a cream tea, we have plenty of those too. You could go crazy and try
it with our Three Fruit Marmalade or even *whispers*
a lemon curd. But we don’t want to upset the status quo. (as in the norm –
we don’t think Francis Rossi cares much what you have on your scone).
So go on….treat
yourself. You only live once and if you can’t enjoy Afternoon Tea Week, well,
what’s the world coming to?!
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