Whew! What a great event for us rather posh qypers!

Yesterday a group of 10 lucky ones visited The InterContinental hotel for a decadent afternoon of education. We gathered in a private section of the Cookbook Cafe on the ground floor with sunlight streaming in the windows.

Firstly, we enjoyed refreshing sparkling wine on arrival until we could bear the excitement no longer.

Then the lovely Tara Calcraft, Founder of Tea Palace took us through 12 varieties of loose leaf tea, sipping and exclaiming at each one. There were 5 black teas, 5 green teas and 2 white teas.

In the black tea we tried The First Flush Darjeerling (light and fragrant) and Assam Superior (a malty, warm taste) from India and an Imperial Ceylon from Sri Lanka

Number One Park Lane was a special blend created just for the hotel to serve and sell to discerning guests. It’s a black tea with overtones of vanilla and marigold – bliss! The 5 green teas saw us sniffing and swilling through Japan, China and Taiwan to try beautifully light teas with amazing anti-ageing and healing properties.

Finally, the white teas – two delicate and summery offerings only grown in the Fujian provence of China – White peony with pink rosebuds and Jasmine Silver Needles.

We scoffed sandwiches of Sping Chicken, Sea trout with pansy petals and lemon yoghurt and duck-egg and cress. Next were scones and cream and jam ( and a lengthy debate over which is to be spread first for optimum pleasure ) and lastly pineapple mousse cake ith prickly pear jam, praline crusted chocolate truffle and apple and sweet rhubarb mousse.

Let’s not forget the special cocktail to top it all off – Bellini with fresh pineapple and Japanese Sencha tea!