The sweet world of afternoon tea

Text and photos:Thanh Truc

Afternoon tea originated in the United Kingdom. In the past, tea leaves and spices such as pepper, chili, and cinnamon were luxuries of the aristocracy. Many families even hid spices and salt in chests. Therefore, most dishes were bland. Even today, tourists visiting England can still recognize this through traditional English dishes such as mashed potatoes and boiled eggs. When the UK entered its golden age in the 19th century, the upper class gathered to hold afternoon tea parties to socialize, make friends, and display their family status and power. There are many stories about the origins of the first tea parties, one of the most popular being about Countess Anna Maria Stanhope of Bedford. Unable to bear the hunger at tea parties, she devised a light meal consisting of a few small loaves of bread and some pastries. From then on, the custom of eating pastries at afternoon tea parties was born.

Enjoy afternoon tea in a 5-star hotel setting. Besides the usual tarts, madeleines, and chocolates, you can also easily find famous pastries known for their intricate preparation and techniques, such as macarons, lemon meringue tarts, and pavlovas.

With a diameter of just a few centimeters, a Lemon Meringue Tart requires three layers: a crispy crust, a smooth lemon jam filling, and a light and airy meringue made from eggs and sugar. The challenge lies in ensuring the thin crust doesn't crumble when the filling is added, the jam isn't overly sweet while retaining the refreshing taste of lemon, and the meringue rises and becomes fluffy. The result of this meticulous effort is a superb Lemon Meringue Tart that offers a delightful culinary experience, a harmonious blend of the subtle sourness of lemon and the delicate sweetness of sugar.

Trang thông tin du lịch và phong cách sống Travellive+

Pavlova and macarons are two famous desserts known for their interesting and unconventional approach, challenging traditional baking rules. Both are simply made from whipped egg whites, without using flour as the base. While pavlova is soft and delicate, macarons are simple and visually appealing. Creating a pavlova with its pale yellow crust and smooth marshmallow filling requires exceptional skill from the baker. The pavlova is light and fluffy like a cloud, melting in your mouth, and is especially delicious when paired with fresh fruit.

Using delicate, hard-to-shape ingredients like egg whites, sugar, and almond flour, the chef must master temperature control techniques to create a perfect batch of macarons. The simple macaron, with its crispy yet not hard shell, subtle almond flavor, and fragrant buttercream frosting, is well worth the effort. Among the countless types of pastries in the world, pavlova and macarons remain exceptionally unique and distinctive due to their innovative and creative variations.

I was fortunate enough to meet Chef Bertrand – the head pastry chef behind these high-quality pastries. Bernard demonstrates an intense passion for baking. For just one type of pastry, he can offer a long list of different recipes for various customer preferences. He also revealed the secret behind their immense popularity: these delicious batches must contain 25-30% less sugar because Vietnamese palates favor lighter, more delicate flavors. These charming, colorful pastries are truly the perfect companions for tea parties.

A cup of fragrant, citrusy Earl Grey tea or a rich, vibrant green Assam tea from India are both suitable tea choices according to British custom. You can add sugar and milk to your liking. Enjoying pastries and afternoon tea is becoming increasingly popular in Vietnam, where young people are learning to slow down and savor life instead of being caught up in the whirlwind of work. Sometimes green tea is also included to suit Vietnamese tea-drinking culture. For me, the happiness of a day is being able to leisurely savor the refreshing, dewy aroma of a cup of unsweetened green tea and enjoy the sweet taste of freshly baked pastries alongside beloved friends.

You can enjoy pastries at afternoon tea at:

Park Hyatt Saigon