High tea with monthly themes
Enjoy a different high tea menu inspired by various tea cultures around the world every month at Newens Tea House, writes Laveda Charles
IT definitely feels like A Journey Through Tea with the thematic afternoon tea served at Newens Tea House. Tea aficionados will love the idea of a different high tea menu each month, inspired by the various tea cultures of the world. This “open concept” tea house is located in Starhill Gallery in the heart of Kuala Lumpur and features a traditional English tea setting boasting grandiose decor and furniture coupled with a serene aura.
While strolling into the area, I spy a showcase of mouthwatering cakes, pastries and pies. With the cosy atmosphere and dainty cutlery, customers can elect to sit at either the smoking or non-smoking areas. The theme-inspired tea affair started with the Traditional English High Tea in January, followed by the Spring in China Tea for February. For March, the tea house featured the Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea (with March being cherry blossom season in Japan), featuring some delectable Sakura-themed mini cakes and mini pralines paired with a free-flow of the aromatic Wild Cherry Tea which is imported from Japan.
This month, customers can try the classy yet royal Tea with Anne Boleyn. Similar to most traditional English tea, both classic sweet and savoury delights are served on a three-tier serving tray.
On the bottom of the tray lies the savoury mini chicken pie, mini kew pasty, and mini salmon and onion quiche. The second tier holds the surprisingly soft scones served with clotted cream and preserves. The mini apple pie, English fruit cake, Eton mess, English trifle, Earl Grey macaron and shortbread cookies are assembled on the top tier.
The divine and buttery Maids of Honour tarts will be served too. These original custard filled Maid of Honour tarts are worldrenowned and made using a 500-year-old recipe (first enjoyed by King Henry VIII in the 1500s). It is also the signature dish for this place. You can just sink your teeth into them for a burst of sweetness. This tea set is paired with a free-flow of the rich black aromatic STS Tea.
For May, Newens will be serving the Joyous May Afternoon Tea. It is all about indulging in decadent pastries that would just make your day. Enjoy various sweet delicacies such as the apple and hazelnut cake, vanilla cupcakes, colourful rainbow cake, strawberry-flavoured Maids of Honour Tarts and scones served with clotted cream and preserves.
To balance out the sweetness, this set offers the open-faced salmon rose and the egg and caviar sandwiches. The free flow of tea comes with a herbal infusion of aloe vera and tropical fruits — Life and Beauty Tea.
With June being summer, Newens will be serving a summer-themed tea set. The Summer Holiday Afternoon Tea offers mixed berries crepes, panna cotcream horn, madeline, rainbow cake, fresh strawberries dipped in chocolate and assorted homemade sandwiches. This set comes with a free flow of iced fruits of paradise tea made with the tropical flavours of mango, pineapple and papaya.
The high tea themes for the other months will be known later. Of course, if you’re looking for something simpler you can still order from the a la carte menu. There is a selection comprising cakes, pastries and pies as well as drinks.