Teas Me

We know, we know: you're sick of hearing that tea's the new coffee. But since I gave up the rocket fuel (with the exception of the odd wussy decaf) I've developed a bit of an infusion habit.

I'm not averse to having a wee nibble with my cuppa either - my current favourite 'afternoon teas with a twist' being fresh mint tea, baclava and rose petal ice-cream at Noura, and moonlight jasmine green tea and toasted crumpets with lemon curd at Paradise by way of Kensal Green.

Taking it one step further however, Twinings are launching a new range of fancy Deli Teas and they've brought Oz Clarke on board to analyse the blends in the same way he does with wine.

I was treated to the full tea-tasting session at Shoreditch House with Oz. 'Mmm, Russian Caravan… this reminds me of the first pair of Italian leather shoes I bought. And Silver Tips White Tea… smooth and clean, like a bone dry Riesling,' he rhapsodised. School-girl sniggering aside it was actually a very civilised lesson in tea and all its many rituals.

On the way home, former Missoni model, Sacha, told me that in Serbia they make tea from everything. 'My favourite was one we called Mother's Soul that was made from herbs we found growing wild.'

Taxi! Take me to Serbia.

Noura Central - 122 Jermyn Street, SW1Y 4UJ | 020 7839 2020 /
Paradise by way of Kensal Green - 19 Kilburn Lane, W10 4AE | 020 8969 0098 |
Twinings Tea Deli range is available exclusively at Waitrose from October 2008

by SL

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Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved.