“White tea has to be at a temperature of 80 degrees, the water should not boil because otherwise it will ruin its properties. This is called Aguja de Oro. We recommend leaving it for three minutes for the flavors to release,” says Mirella, the expert waitress. “But we are going to leave it six, because I want you to try it superlative so that you know that very interesting journey from bitterness to sweetness,” explains Beatriz Parreño (Albacete, 1975), designer of the tea that we are going to taste and the exquisite experience. of which it is a part: the afternoon tea at the Heritage Hotel in Madrid. This first loose tea – the tea bag is prohibited – will be followed by others such as Creativity red tea, Fairy Garden green tea or rooibos (without theine) Out of Africa.
“This white tea is very special – continues Parreño – and belongs to one of the favorite harvests of my grandparents, who were dedicated to spices. I buy crops directly from the places of origin: China, Japan, India and Vietnam. I control when they are planted, watered, picked and arrive at my warehouses,” details the owner of La Tienda del Té, which supplies its tea designs to clients (there are no shortage of celebrities, royal houses or embassies) in Spain and much of the world ( United Kingdom, India and South America).
This passionate creator learned everything in the tea garden in Yunnan province (China) where her grandfather sent her 27 years ago. Today, she succeeds as the designer of the afternoon tea experiences at the exclusive Heritage, Orfila and Wellington hotels in Madrid. “Tea is like a ceremony that you give to yourself. When you come home and grab a cup of tea, it kind of warms your soul. Afternoon tea is a meeting to share around that cup of tea,” defines Parreño.
The British tradition of afternoon tea dates back to 1840, when Anna Russel, the 7th Countess of Bedford, asked to be served tea with some light bites to stave off her hunger until dinner. Such was the pleasure that she obtained, that she did not hesitate to start inviting her friends to enjoy the five o’clock tea. That snack for aristocratic ladies ended up becoming a social custom practiced in salons throughout the country. Today, this Victorian tradition is one of the most celebrated and long-established gastronomic pleasures in the United Kingdom. Little by little, also in Spain, where some hotels in Madrid and Barcelona include it as one of their most sophisticated proposals. But it is not worth creating just any experience, but one that fits the place where the afternoon tea is held.
“According to my client, I design the aromas that he needs, that is why each hotel has a specific tea menu,” explains Beatriz Parreño. And that’s why his creations – citrus, sweet or natural; based on white, red, green, black or blue tea; accompanied by spices, herbs, dehydrated fruits or natural aromas – make up a repertoire in which there are also exclusive designs. “This is the case of Duke of Wellington, Heritage and Orfila teas,” she details.
But there is no afternoon tea without scones – with their jams and clotted cream –, cakes and savory mini sandwiches served on the traditional three-tier tray. A repertoire that he offers from Monday to Sunday, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., in his sophisticated Haroma restaurant, the Heritage Hotel (c/ Diego de León, 43). Its price is 40 euros and, if you want to finish the tea experience with a glass of Moët
Afternoon tea was and is one of the most deeply rooted traditions at the Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid, which was a pioneer in the establishment of a tea ceremony in the capital, ten years ago, which marked the debut of Beatriz Parreño – seven years old He was in charge of the service. Today, it is held every afternoon from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., under the beautiful glass dome of her Palm Court restaurant. Its price is 48 euros, although you can complete the experience with a glass of Moët
El Wellington Hotel
Barcelona also boasts afternoon tea and, in an atmosphere as classic and elegant as its majestic Great Hall, El Palace Barcelona (Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 668) invites you to have long conversations every afternoon, between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., in front of a delicious tea served with a selection of sandwiches, artisanal scones, sweets made by the prestigious Pastry Chef of the Miguel Costa hotel, coffee or tea. An afternoon tea (38 euros) pampered from Friday to Sunday with live piano music. For a supplement of 6 euros you can add a glass of Mirgin Alta Alella eco cava and, for 22 euros, one of R de Ruinart Brut champagne.
