It’s tea time! English High Tea according to Babingtons
Afternoon Tea has been part of the Anglo Saxon culture since time immemorial. It has become a world wide ritual and is the symbol of elegance and grace. Time comes to a standstill amongst steaming cups of tea and freshly baked pastries, giving us a just for us moment. A small luxury we can allow ourselves on a daily basis in spite of the monotony of every day life.
Every day at Babingtons, set in the splendour if Piazza di Spagna, you can experience the magic of this tasteful ritual. 125 years ago our Tearooms was the very first to introduce the grandeur of English Afternoon Tea to Italy. Who better than us then, to tell you all about the rites of passage for a perfect afternoon tea?
1 – How to choose the correct tea
Tea is extracted from the leaves of the Camelia Sinensis plant of which there are two varieties: Sinensis and Assamic. And this brings us to our first rule of choosing your tea, always go for tea leaves, never tea in powdered form! This is the only way you can savour the rich and varied aromas of tea, the way nature intended.
There are so very many types of tea for you to choose from: white, black, green, sweet, full-bodied or delicate, the list is endless! However it is our firm opinion and our advice to you that the only tea that will give you the full experience of traditional English Afternoon tea is black tea. And this is precisely why, over the years, we have collected a selection of exquisite black tea blends, each one with its very own particular taste.
Babington’s black Teas
Traditionally black tea is the classic choice for afternoon tea, and Babingtons is the only place in Rome where you will find a huge selection of black tea blends as well as scented teas. In other words here at Babingtons you are guaranteed a “proper cuppa”!
For those of you who prefer a more delicate flavour to the traditional “builder’s tea” (and would prefer not to be able to stand your spoon up in your cup!) we recommend our Special Blend for a very English wake up call or for a jolly afternoon cuppa. But of course the strength and taste that some of you would sooner enjoy can be found in in our energetic and full flavoured Scottish Blend and our Diamond Jubilee Tea. Then of course we can offer the more citrusy aromas of Morning Blend, the slightly smokey flavour of Afternoon Blend and let us not forget the regal flavour of our Royal Blend.
However for our scented tea lovers we would recommend our imperial Earl Grey which we have made our own by blending this classic tea with bergamot, flower petals and lemon peel, or perhaps you would refer the more spicy flavours of our Imperial Chai Tea. And finally our newest blend created in celebration of our 125th jubilee, can it be anything other than our 125th Tea!
2 – The secrets of steeping
When preparing tea attention to every detail is key. Not least the type of water you are going to use. The water should be brought to but not allowed to boil, it should start off being cold and fresh, neither mineralised nor should it have a low fixed residue, in short, tap water will do just fine!
And so we come to the moment of truth, the steeping: As if by magic all the essence and flavour of our tea leaves is released into the hot water. However it is essential at this point that you follow precisely, the instructions for timing and temperature on your packaging. But there is more! Your teapot can alter and ruin the flavour of your tea enormously. It is preferable and recommended that you use metal teapots for black and Oolong teas and porcelain or glass for green and white teas.
3 – Milk and sugar?
This depends entirely on the type of tea you are drinking but most of all on your own personal tastes. However, what we can tell you is that all black teas taste just as good with a little sugar and a splash of milk as they do without.
We would suggest that you smell and taste your tea before deciding to put anything in it. If once you’ve tasted you find that the tea is too strong or too bitter for your liking then by all means add a little sugar and/or milk, but we do recommend that you taste it in its natural state first.
Lemon? Heaven forfend! Lemon destroys all beneficial properties found in tea and systematically demolishes the complex tastes and aromas found within.
4 – What to accompany our tea with?
Here comes the typical layered tray in pyramid form loaded with who knows what delicious pastries and delicacies! Ah yes! This is one of the most wonderful things about English Afternoon tea! It gives you the perfect excuse to savour sweet and savoury pastries with your cup of tea!
Amongst the sweet pastries we have traditional scones, soft, lightly baked buns with a crispy exterior served with butter, jam and clotted cream.
Amongst our savoury collection is the absolute must! Delicate, fresh cucumber or wild smoked salmon finger sandwiches. These delightfully soft and fragrant sandwiches will melt in your mouth!
5 – Etiquette
The final rule of afternoon tea is etiquette! Good manners and moderation are essential. Enjoy your tea with calmness and tranquility, delight in the elegance of your sweet and savoury delicacies with gentility but most of all: never slurp your tea and never, ever elevate your pinky!
Tea Time at Babingtons
Now that you have learned the rights of passage for the perfect Afternoon Tea all that is left for you to do is to put yourselves to the test. If, however, you would prefer to taste English tea time in Victorian style then here we are at Babingtons waiting to give you the experience of a lifetime in Rome’s oldest Tearooms since 1839.
