I recently caught up with a girlfriend I hadn’t seen for ages over coffee. We agreed that it was way too long between catch ups and decided to diarise a monthly meeting so that 12 months didn’t slip by again without us seeing each other.
We decided to take turns picking a venue for our monthly foray, with my girlfriend going first. I was surprised when she suggested we meet up for high tea instead of the usual morning coffee. Isn’t high tea a thing of the past I thought to myself? Does anybody really still do high tea? Where do you go for high tea?
My girlfriend assured me that high tea is in fact alive and well and available at a hotel or coffee shop near you. This prompted me to do some research into the art of high tea..... what exactly is it? Where do you have it? And who exactly is participating in this old school tradition.
After hitting google I discovered that the term high tea comes from an English meal made popular in the 1600’s. Not to be confused with afternoon tea, which was also known as low tea .High tea was usually served between 5 and 6 after a day’s labouring from a high table such as a dining table and included things such as meat, baked goods, fish and cheese. Afternoon tea (or low tea) was served from a low coffee table style table around 2 to 3 in the afternoon, and included things such as lace tablecloths and dainty food. Over the years I think the two styles of ‘tea’ have melded together to become the ‘high tea’ we know today. High Tea is now usually served mid afternoon and includes a selection of delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked goods such as scones and other savoury and sweet treats. And, rather than the traditional ‘tea’ it is now often accompanied by wine or champagne, an evolution I am happy to embrace.
Having established exactly what is involved in this 400 year old tradition I decided to investigate where this ritual is available. And it seems my girlfriend is right...... it’s everywhere! Not just in stuffy English hotels and tea rooms....... it is, in fact, at trendy hotels, contemporary cafes and funky restaurants. I found many hotel chains have included High Tea in their weekend service, whether they are in the country or the city doesn’t seem to make a difference.
For example Mirvac Hotels are serving high tea in at least 4 of their hotels, from the Sebel Heritage Yarra Valley in rural Victoria to the Quay West Suites Brisbane a Brisbane CBD hotel. High Tea is also served at Mirvac’s Warrnambool hotel, the Sebel Deep Blue Warrnambool and the Sebel Newcastle Beach Hotel also offers it on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
After more investigation, I discovered that there are several cafes in my local area offering the custom and that they are often booked out, with their clientele ranging from the elderly to the young and trendy. I’m not quite sure when this revival occurred or how I had managed to miss it, but I seemed to be in the minority. After surveying family and friends I discovered that nearly all were aware of its existence and popularity and most had partaken recently. Armed with this new knowledge I am looking forward to my induction into the High Tea society. I feel confident that I will relish the experience, after all, what’s not to like about a new excuse to eat good food and enjoy a glass of champagne?
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