Vogue Australia published an article on November 2, 2015,
with the headline ‘Four must-visit places for high tea in Sydney.’ What does
‘high tea’ mean?
Everyone knows what
tea is, but what is ‘high tea’? Oxford Dictionaries defines ‘high tea’ as
a British term meaning ‘a meal eaten in the late afternoon or early evening,
typically consisting of a cooked dish, bread and butter, and tea.’ The term
became fashionable amongst the elite in the 1800s. It was thought to have
started after a game of polo, when tea and food were served when the players
were still on their horses – high in their saddle – hence ‘high tea.’ It was
served around four o’clock in the afternoon, and the term ‘afternoon tea’ often
replaced ‘high tea.’ High tea in restaurants is served on the very best
crockery!
The article commences
with the sentence: ‘High tea is a decadent pleasure … but not every high tea is
born equal.’ The article then lists four places to have high tea – with phrases
such as ‘hushed but serene’ atmosphere, ‘outstandingly unique’ desserts, and
‘enjoying your food on the finest Royal Albert china.’ By the way, the four
locations mentioned in the article are: Langham Hotel in the city; Shangri-la;
the Tea Room at the QVB (Queen Victoria Building); and Gunner’s Barracks
in Mosman, half-an-hour out of Sydney.
Scorecard for the Vogue headline is 95%. The article,
being Vogue, presents very high High Tea – the highest quality tea, food,
crockery, setting, location, ambience, tablecloths, service, and cost. The
costs range from $42 to $55 per person. High tea doesn’t need to be that high
in terms of cost – it depends on the quality of the food and tea – but it is
making a strong come-back for people who want to relax, and have supper with a
good cup of tea in the afternoon with friends or an equally good book. I still
love my high teas, most days at considerably less cost, and perhaps
occasionally for a special treat I’ll have a high High Tea.
Comments
Post a Comment