My First Formal Afternoon Tea

I've been in London for a year and a half, and I finally had the opportunity to experience formal afternoon tea just a couple of days ago. I was so, so excited! Afternoon tea is an English tradition, consisting of a small meal between 2pm and 5pm, to fill a gap between larger meals. My bff and I went to Hempel Hotel in Bayswater to enjoy personal tea pots full of aromatic leaf tea and delicious sandwiches and pastries. Our teas were incredible. I ordered organic jasmine pearls, and my friend had the silver needle tea. The fragrance of mine was light and flowery, matching the taste of the first cup. But, the second and third cups had a strong, sharp taste, and were naturally darker in color. My friend's tea had more of a regular, plain tea taste in the first cup, but after brewing longer, the white tea tasted slightly sweeter and fruity. The variety of sandwiches included smoked salmon and cucumber (my fave), ham and cheese, and egg with watercress. I also indulged quite happily in the scones and clotted cream. I wish I could have afternoon tea everyday! Seriously. Everyday.

My Version of Afternoon Tea... More like Brunch

I made these yummy open-faced sandwiches on English muffins (or just 'muffins' in the UK)! Free range eggs and organic spinach, sprinkled with medium cheddar cheese and topped with mild salsa.

Sweets for Sunday Tea

My boyfriend and I planned on going to afternoon tea at this cute sandwich and tea cafe, but it's closed on Sundays! So we decided to have cupcakes instead :) We went to Sweet Couture in Covent Garden, a small cake boutique with dreamy rows of cupcakes lining a clear and inviting shelf when you walk in. The bf and I dived into our treats at the breakfast bar style table along the window. Mmmmm