Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford is often credited with the advent of the tradition of afternoon high tea in the early 1840’s. Traditionally dinner was not served until 8:30 or 9:00 in the evening and the Duchess often became hungry, especially in the summer when dinner was served even later. She ordered a small meal of bread, butter, and other niceties, such as cakes, tarts, and biscuits, to be brought secretly to her boudoir. When she was exposed she was not ridiculed, as she had feared, but her habit caught on and the concept of a small meal, of niceties and perhaps tea, became popular and eventually. The British Raj brought the tradition to India and it is now an integral part of Indian luxury.
At The Imperial’s glass-domed Tea lounge- The Atrium which provides a relaxed setting for business meetings which are often hurried, the luxurious high tea can take a less frenetic pace. Tea is a super specialty subject that’s why the feel, setting and mood of tea all add to the superlative experience.
A classic three-tiered high tea on weekdays at The Imperial, comes with a variety of delicacies- hot buttered scones, home-made jams, cakes, little sandwiches filled with cucumber or salmon coupled with impeccable service from the staff who are trained in the art of brewing and serving tea. On weekends the High tea is on a curated buffet featuring classic English scones, tea cakes, pralines, patisserie offerings, assorted sandwiches, hot savories clubbed with an array of teas.
The Imperial’s High tea platter includes 12-15 different tea varieties for High tea which include herb teas as well like jasmine, chamomile, green, mint etc. The most popular teas at the Atrium tea cart menu include Darjeeling, Kashmiri Kawa, Assam golden tips & Masala tea,offering one not only the finest of aromatic, amber brews, but making one experience tea as a way of life. The culture has led to more meetings at The Atrium at the high tea zone, which is increasingly a preferred time.
You can book your High Tea experience here. And for our readers, we are going to have a competition where you can win yourself this magical experience. Stay tuned to our Instagram handle for further details.
