Afternoon tea has become a blend of modern conveniences and classic elegance in London. New tea menus reimagine British classics while retaining a look of timelessness. If you enjoy tea or are looking for light and lavish catering, here are five London teas that are trending for 2025.
Scones with Clotted Cream and Lemon Curds.
Earl Grey tea leaves are blended into scones. After flour, butter, and cream are added, the scones are baked to perfection. The infusion adds a floral bergamot twist to the British scone. The scones served with lemon and Cornish clotted cream are buttery and tangy. The tea leaves in the scone help with digestion and promote calmness. These scones are not for you if you are gluten and dairy intolerant.
Rose and Pistachio Macarons
Light and chewy with a hint of floral scent and a delightful taste, macarons are a treat for the eyes and the taste buds. They are made of almond flour, egg whites, rose essence, and a sweet pistachio cream filling. The treat also provides healthy fats and protein, courtesy of the filling pistachios. However, the macarons do contain nuts, eggs, and other common allergens, so take care.
Smoked Salmon and Dill Finger Sandwiches
Each English tea spread includes these sandwiches, which combine smoked salmon, cream cheese, fresh dill, and soft white bread. The creamy tang of the cheese offers a perfect counterpoint to the sandwich, which is richly satisfying. Each bite also helps to maintain good heart health, as the smoked salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Even with all the sweet pastries, these sandwiches will contain fish, dairy, and gluten, as is the tradition with all tea fare.
Lavender Shortbread Biscuits
“Lavender Shortbread Biscuits” are buttery shortbread biscuits beautifully scented with lavender and vanilla. These biscuits are popular for tea time amongst lavender lovers in London because of the calming and sweet floral taste. These biscuits are made with flour, butter, sugar, and lavender buds. They are pleasing to the taste buds and excellent for crumbling. Lavender helps improve sleep and reduce stress, making these biscuits the perfect companion for tea. These biscuits are made with shortbread; gluten and dairy are present.
Matcha Cream Eclairs
Instead of traditional British cream eclairs, we offer cream eclairs with a Japanese flair. Our eclairs are filled with matcha custard cream and topped with matcha glaze. Matcha is a great tea Japan is known for and adds a great earthy taste. Matcha balances the sweetness offered to the eclairs, providing great vision and satisfaction for the taste buds. Matcha green tea also provides great health benefits and boosts energy and migraines without the caffeine crash. These eclairs are made with eggs, dairy, and gluten.
Conclusion
There is a lot to enjoy in an afternoon tea service beyond the classic Earl Grey scones and matcha eclairs. These afternoon tea delights are a testament to London’s love for innovation. Each dish adds a different layer of texture, taste, and history to the practice of afternoon tea, making every experience unforgettable. These creations truly modernize afternoon tea in the English capital and make it a multisensorial delight to enjoy, sip, and bite.
