Dear fellow tea lovers,

I have three requests which I hope you could help me with.
I am a British resident in Tokyo but visiting London with my wife next
month.

1.
We've tried afternoon tea at the Dorchester last Christmas on my
wife's first UK visit and this time, we have booked the Ritz in
Picadilly.
Do you have a personal recommendation for the best hotel afternoon tea
experience in London ?

2.
Where can I find the best, top quality, assam tea in London ? I know
it's subjective but I am on a quest to find the perfect blend and
wondered on your advice, what kind of variety I should be looking for
if money is no object. The ideal assam tea for me would be very
strong yet not bitter, smooth malty taste, excellent with milk and a
great "pick me up". My assam of choice here in Tokyo is "SANKAR BOP",
which is supplied by the French company Mariage Freres, T162.

3.
How good a company are Mariage Freres ? I just wondered, I've always
been very impressed with their service and regularly visit their
Japanese headquarters in Tokyo. Are there any other particular places
you would recommend tea-lovers to visit in Japan ? Or, for that
matter, in London!

Thank you very much for your feedback. I hope to receive many
replies.

Richard MORT

On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 20:13:28 -0700, Richard wrote:

> Dear fellow tea lovers,
>
> I have three requests which I hope you could help me with.
> I am a British resident in Tokyo but visiting London with my wife next
> month.
>
> 1.
> We've tried afternoon tea at the Dorchester last Christmas on my
> wife's first UK visit and this time, we have booked the Ritz in
> Picadilly.
> Do you have a personal recommendation for the best hotel afternoon tea
> experience in London ?
>
>
Choices, choices

> Dear fellow tea lovers,
>
> I have three requests which I hope you could help me with.
> I am a British resident in Tokyo but visiting London with my wife next
> month.
>
> 1.
> We've tried afternoon tea at the Dorchester last Christmas on my
> wife's first UK visit and this time, we have booked the Ritz in
> Picadilly.
> Do you have a personal recommendation for the best hotel afternoon tea
> experience in London ?

Well, Ritz is one of the top afternoon tea place in London. 27 GBP per
person. Everyone has to wear jacket and tie. You have to book advance.
Other top places a

The Carlton tower- Cadogan Palace
The Dorchester- Park lane
Fortnum and Mason- at Piccadilly, not so far from Ritz. My first
preference because they are serving tea almost 300 years. Huge
collection of tea from all around the world.

Actually, I don't like London for tea that much except some nice, cozy
small traditional tea rooms. Their style is more then tea steeping
art. I went their for business so I had to go their for meeting and
tea. Wearing jacket and tie and tea, wait a second- doesn't suit with
my tea taste. When people drinks tea their- rather then relax, they
become more busy with their dress up. Look around and try to compare a
lot of thing. I prefer to sit with my own Yixing pot and brew a
perfect cup of Bai Ji guan. Their tea knowledge is not fantastic
either. Well but still an experience -
>
> 2.
> Where can I find the best, top quality, assam tea in London ? I know
> it's subjective but I am on a quest to find the perfect blend and
> wondered on your advice, what kind of variety I should be looking for
> if money is no object. The ideal assam tea for me would be very
> strong yet not bitter, smooth malty taste, excellent with milk and a
> great "pick me up". My assam of choice here in Tokyo is "SANKAR BOP",
> which is supplied by the French company Mariage Freres, T162.

Your tea taste is very much English that's why your favorite choice in
Japan is Sankar BOP. British people like blend tea more then single
estate. Nothing wrong with it, just different taste. Try Harrods
blend49 and their Assam. You will also like Twinings- Assam and
OP(blend of Ceylon and Indian tea).


> 3.
> How good a company are Mariage Freres ? I just wondered, I've always
> been very impressed with their service and regularly visit their
> Japanese headquarters in Tokyo. Are there any other particular places
> you would recommend tea-lovers to visit in Japan ? Or, for that
> matter, in London!

Mariage Freres is not my favorite, so I am not the person to talk
about it.
>
> Thank you very much for your feedback. I hope to receive many
> replies.

Your welcome Richard. Enjoy your trip and don't forget to go to
Harrods and try their blend-49. If you see anything new, don't forget
to let us know. Thanks.

Ripon
Vienna,VA