The Pink Afternoon Tea at Lobby Lounge, Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur has both savoury and sweet delights. — Photos: ART CHEN/The Star
THE pale yellow Premium Milk Oolong tea from the London Tea Exchange might appear like any ordinary tea until its aroma reaches you.
It resembles milk tea with a mild, creamy and slightly sweet fragrance but the crystal-clear tea is served without any dairy.
This is because the tea leaves, after withering, are heated in milk water steam, which creates a truly distinct taste.
With roots dating back to 1679 under the reign of King Charles II, London Tea Exchange has a long history in the luxury tea industry.
It offers over 2,500 varieties of rare and premium teas from 43 countries, serving an enviable clientele that includes royal households and luxury hotels globally.
Sea of Blossoms tea is infused with nectar from 100 different kinds of flowers.
Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur is collaborating with the London Tea Exchange for their Pink Afternoon Tea.
Eight premium tea selections including Milk Oolong will be paired with an afternoon tea menu curated by executive chef Scott Brand and executive sous chef Annie Yam.
The other teas include English Breakfast, Bora Bora, Earl Grey, Emperor’s Palace Tea, Sencha Sakura, Pistachio and Truffle as well as Sea of Blossoms.
During a session at the hotel attended by acting British High Commissioner David Wallace, London Tea Exchange group chairman Sheikh Aliur Rahman introduced the teas selected for the afternoon tea pairing.
“Visitors will get to savour traditional teas and other creative infusions.
“For example, the Earl Grey which is quintessentially British, combines black teas from Yunnan, China and Ceylon blended with pure bergamot oil from Calabria, Italy.
“One of our most complex infusions is the Sea of Blossoms, made from the nectar of 100 types of flowers from 22 different countries,” he said.
(From left) Dark Chocolate Mousse Paillete Feuilletine, Rose Ivoire Chocolate Mousse and Victoria Cake.
Being a fan of English Breakfast Tea, I find the one from the London Tea Exchange particularly memorable.
The true English classic popularised in the 1800s combines the earthy notes of Sri Lankan tea, the maltiness of Assam tea leaf and the smokiness of Indonesian black tea, brewed to perfection.
All the elements found in the English Breakfast Tea harmonise well for a robust and balanced flavour.
As for the Earl Grey, the distinct taste and the right amount of bergamot oil made for a brew that is not too overpowering.
Fruit tea lovers might enjoy Bora Bora, which blends strawberries with tropical papaya and other accompanying fruits, resulting in a sweet taste.
“The tea’s red colour comes from hibiscus, which gives a certain tanginess to the tea which can be served hot or cold,” said Sheikh Aliur.
Accompanying the tea is an array of savoury and sweet treats.
The savoury treats include Snow Crab Rolls with Diced Apple and Mustard Cress, Norwegian Salmon Pinwheel, Summer Truffle Egg Salad served with Trout Caviar on Beets Brioche, and Smoked Duck and Foie Gras Croquette with Cherry.
The crunchy croquette enveloping the savoury smoked duck is impeccably matched with the soft texture of foie gras, while the delicate salmon pinwheel is flavourful and buttery.
As for the sweet delicacies, some incorporate different types of tea.
For example, the Mille Feuille is layered with the flavours of Premium Sea of Blossom tea with cherry and rose accents, while the Wild Berries Macaron, made with Premium Pink Tropic tea, offers a perfect combination of tart berries and soothing floral notes.
There are also other equally enticing bites, including the Rose Ivoire Chocolate Mousse with Sencha Sakura, Dark Chocolate Mousse Paillette Feuilletine and Victoria Cake.
To complete the indulgence, freshly baked plain and dried fruit scones are served with traditional raspberry jam, clotted cream and whipped butter.
Priced at RM220nett per set for two, the Pink Afternoon Tea is available until Oct 31 at the Lobby Lounge from 3pm to 6pm.
In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur will donate 5% of the proceeds from each Pink Elegance Afternoon Tea set purchased to the Breast Cancer Welfare Association (BCWA).
LOBBY LOUNGE, Lobby Level, Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, 11, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur. (Tel: 03-2786 2378) Business hours: 7am to midnight, daily.
This is the writer’s personal observation and not an endorsement by StarMetro.
