How to Host a Dilmah Real High Tea A Guide to a Dilmah Tea Inspired High Tea
The Tradition of Afternoon Tea The tradition of High Tea or Afternoon Tea started off a long time ago. Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, was the one who popularised it. Over the years the fashionable world caught on to this concept and High Tea became a much loved social occasion. But what's served for High Tea was stuck in the past with its old and tired set of High Tea food like cucumber, egg or watercress sandwiches, smoked salmon on rye bread, scones with clotted cream and strawberry preserve and afternoon tea pastries and cakes.
The Dilmah Real High Tea A Real High Tea is about respecting and understanding tea while showcasing what modern culinary professionals are capable of. It brings together the best of tea gastronomy and tea mixology in its most innovative and creative form and celebrates the elegance of Real Tea and the creativity, skill and flair of the modern culinary artists.
High Tea Essentials When in comes to a Real High Tea there are a few elements which are essential to create a perfect Real High Tea: -Tea -Tea inspired food -Tea-based drinks -Tea and food pairing -The presentation
Tea for Real High Tea A Real High Tea must offer something more than the regular black tea. Here are some suggestions. Ideally you should offer at least 12 different varieties of teas. - Black Teas - Brilliant Breakfast - The Original Earl Grey - Single Estate Darjeeling - Flavoured Black Teas - Rose with French Vanilla - Italian Almond - Mango & Strawberry - Blueberry & Pomegranate - Lychee with Rose and Almond - Natural Ceylon Ginger - Green Teas - Green Tea with Jasmine - Moroccan Mint Green Tea - Oolong Teas - Tie Guan Yin These can be presented in the form of an elegant Tea Menu.
Tea-based Drinks While tea tastes great on its own the variety of flavours also make it possible to create many tea-based drinks. These are can even be served as welcome drinks. For more recipes visit realhightea.dilmahtea.com/recipes
Iced Tea Ginger Spice Highlander Dilmah Green Tea Mocktail
Tea Inspired Food Let you creativity dictate what you want to serve for the high tea. Take it one step further by adding some of these tea-inspired High Tea food. For more recipes and ideas visit realhightea.dilmahtea.com/recipes
Tea Inspired Food Green Tea Poached Chicken Sandwiches Infused with Green Tea with Jasmine Flowers Baba Au Italian Almond Infused with Italian Almond Tea Japanese Beef Tataki with Tea Pancake Infused with Brilliant Breakfast
Pairing of Tea and Food Items When you pair the right tea with the right food it becomes a flavour sensation. Indulge your guests with some perfect pairings. Here are some suggestions. For more recipes and ideas visit realhightea.dilmahtea.com/recipes
Pairing of Tea and Sweet Food Items Lime, Pistachio & Rosewater Syrup Cakes Paired with Brilliant Breakfast Chai Macaron Paired with Brilliant Breakfast or Earl Grey Spiced Pear, Blueberry and Almond Shortcake Paired with Single Estate Darjeeling
Presentation of Tea & Food A Real High Tea must look as good as it tastes. Here are some suggestions for a beautifully presented Real High Tea.
Pairing of Tea and Savoury Food Items Savoury Food Items Crêpes With Smoked Salmon Filling Paired With Ran Watte Apple, Brie & Basil Fingersandwiches Paired With Green Tea With Jasmine Flowers Smoked Salmon & Fennel Mille Feuille Paired with Green Tea with Jasmine Flowers
Presentation of Tea & Food A High Tea Menu A menu that lists out food and beverages available. This is separate from the Tea Menu. A typical High Tea menu will include: Welcome Drinks Tea inspired food Pairing suggestions for Tea and Sweet Food Items Pairing suggestions for Tea and Savoury Food Items
Presentation of Tea & Food Tea Display & Service Tea, when well displayed, adds elegance to the High Tea. Presenting a cup of tea the right way can make all the difference in the world. Personalise the experience by serving tea to the guest s table rather than leaving it in a corner for them to serve it on their own. Always serve your tea from a tea pot in elegant cups and saucers; and of course serve your tea with a smile to make the occasion extra special.
Presentation of Tea & Food Serving Food Present food in elegant tiered trays when serving High Tea for small groups of two or three people. For larger crowds you can present food buffetstyle but add charm to it by using tasteful table decor and innovative food presentation.
A Real High Tea for Every Season You can craft a High Tea to match any occasion or season. Themed High Teas keep the interest going throughout the year. For instance; make it a romantic high tea for two on Valentine's Day keep it sweet and simple for Mothers' Day go all festive for Christmas the options are endless.
Guidelines To Brew A Perfect Cup of Tea The heart of the Dilmah Real High Tea is the tea. Therefore, no Real High Tea is perfect without a perfectly brewed cup of tea. Each person has their own idea of a perfect cup of tea. Some guests like their tea strong, while others prefer it weak. Some guests like tea with milk, others prefer it with sugar and others with milk and sugar. Some like their tea perfectly plain. Whatever their preference may be, these basic rules will help you make that perfect cup of tea.
Basic Rules for a Perfect Cup of Tea 1 Use good water Spring water, filtered water or good tap water should be used directly from the cold tap. Pour into the kettle to boil. 2 Boil water just once Why must you never brew tea with re-boiled water? Water contains dissolved gases absorbed from the air. CO2 in water is gradually released during the boiling process. Re-boiling will further reduce CO2 levels, resulting in changes in the colour as well as the character of the brew. 3 The amount of water vs. the amount of tea A general rule to follow is to use 1 tea bag for every 200 250 ml of water which is approximately equivalent to a standard tea cup
Basic Rules for a Perfect Cup of Tea 4 Brewing times Black Tea should be brewed at boiling temperature for 3-5 minutes; Green Tea at a temperature slightly lower than boiling temperature for 2 minutes. *Brewing Green teas for more than 2 minutes can cause the tea to turn bitter. 5 Enhancements (Adding milk / sugar) Use an enhancement that doesn t overpower the taste and character of tea Green teas (Sencha, Jasmine Green Tea) are never recommended to be taken with milk. Never add milk into infusions like Chamomile. Strong black teas like Brilliant Breakfast are served with milk and sugar. Flavoured Black teas such as Rose with French Vanilla and Earl Grey) are best taken without milk.
Thank you for joining us in bringing quality back to tea and hope of a better future for tea farmers. Please let us know how we can assist you in enhancing your customers tea experience. For more information please contact us on shangri-la@dilmahtea.com www.mjffoundation.org www.dilmahtea.com www.dilmahconservation.org