Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule more than 27 years ago but one British tradition remains ingrained in the city’s culinary landscape: afternoon tea. Its origins can be traced to 1840s England, when the Duchess of Bedford, Anna Russell, a close friend of Queen Victoria and a member of London’s upper class, wanted a light refreshment to keep at bay what she called “that sinking feeling” between lunch and dinner. She was given tea with cake and a sandwich – and the afternoon tea, now typically served from 3.
30pm to 5pm, was born. No longer the preserve of the upper class, it has spread around the world, and is particularly popular at high-end hotels. Other places have broken with tradition, loading their tiered towers with themed delicacies and serving tea in collaboration with beauty and fashion brands.
Read on for some of the best afternoon teas currently being served in Hong Kong and Macau. The tea features a lemon confit confection made with locally sourced lemons; honey sponge cake; and finger sandwiches with fillings such as blue crab and pomelo, egg and caviar, and smoked salmon and cream cheese. Finish off with freshly baked scones and madeleines served with clotted cream and home-made oolong peach jam and apricot jam.
The Lobby Lounge, Regent Hong Kong, 8 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 2313 2313 Inspired by the Danish lifestyle concept of hygge – a fuzzy feeling of cosy contentment – this afternoon tea at Nordic favourite Finds includes savoury item.