Tea & Cake!
I’ve just returned from 10 days in England and Scotland—tasting tea, experiencing Afternoon Tea (in many different places), learning more about notable people in tea history, and about current trends with British tea drinkers. I came home a few pounds heavier (loved the scones and cakes) but with so much to add to my classes, and to share with customers.
My traveling companion was my friend Anna Stazinska, owner of Old Brickyard Tea Garden in Melton Mowbray, England. Lucky for me, Anna’s tea room was running on a partial-open schedule through April so she was able to join me on this adventure. When the tea room is open, Anna is serving luscious cakes with her special blend of Royal Afternoon Tea…and her faithful Noodle is greeting and guiding people into the tea room.
Our adventures took us up the east coast of England, on up to Perthshire, Scotland (to tour a working tea farm), then down to Northumberland (the edge of the National Park), and then back to Leicestershire. We made many stops (for tea and cake of course) and were welcomed and cheered all along the way. Back in the midlands, we visited with James Pogson of Northern Tea Merchants to share some tea and learn about current tea trends in the U.K. We both boarded the train for London and spent my last full day visiting current and historic tea establishments.
Stay tuned for more detail on some of our adventures. Suffice it to say tea was a heavenly way to experience the U.K.—I recommend it for everyone.
