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The Star
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Aromatic afternoon tea for 40th anniversary
TEAS from London Tea Exchange go beyond the usual blends. Instead, these offer something new to the palate. Tracing its origins back to 1679 during the reign of King Charles II, the London tea emporium now carries more than 2,500 rare and premium varieties. Sourced from 43 countries, its impressive collection has found its way into royal pantries and luxury hotel menus. The brand's excellence mirrors the essence of the legacy of Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur. The Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur afternoon tea paired with London Tea Exchange varieties. — Photos: MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star As the hotel celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, it has partnered with London Tea Exchange to select 40 teas that represent each year of the hotel's heritage. Executive chef Scott Brands has also curated an Afternoon Tea set paired with eight London Tea Exchange offerings. Drawing inspiration from Shangri-La's culinary roots and Malaysia's rich tea culture, Brands' menu weaves together delicate flavours and aromatic infusions. 'Infusing handpicked teas into the menu allowed us to add depth and subtle flavour. 'It's a celebration of craftsmanship, tradition and creativity, all in honour of the hotel's 40th anniversary,' he said. The three-tier afternoon tea set showcases savoury and sweet treats, some of which incorporate tea flavours. Brands with the tiered set serving sweet and savoury delights that honour the hotel's culinary roots and Malaysia's rich tea culture. On the savoury side, rectangular rillettes of fresh and smoked salmon were subtly lifted with the use of gently-roasted Lapsang Souchong tea offering a tinge of earthiness. A winning combination is the Eclair of Truffle Egg Salad topped with Trout Caviar and infused with Pistachio and Truffle Tea. The flavourful caviar and creamy egg salad are appetising. As for the Caramelised Onion Mini Quiche with Charcoal Goat's Cheese, the slightly tart, earthy flavours might be an acquired taste for some but I loved it. Other savoury delights included the Lobster Chive with Avocado and Cauliflower Cream, and Porcini and Oyster Mushroom in Baked Vol-Au-Vent. For a sweet indulgence, the Lavender Pear with Spiced Honeycomb is infused with fresh hints of lavender tea. The pear-shaped dessert with a floral aroma and soothing sweetness pairs well with the selection of teas. Meanwhile, the bittersweet chocolate slice is rich in flavour. Made using peach and apricot teas, the chocolate treat offered lovely citrusy notes contrasting beautifully with the deep cocoa finish. The duet of Salted Caramel Cheesecake Macaron plus Lemon Verbena and Chia Panna Cotta is a sweet-and-sour finale. As afternoon tea is not complete without scones, the classic Sultana and Vanilla Scones are served warm with clotted cream, raspberry jam and whipped butter in a nod to a timeless tradition. Tea selections on the afternoon tea set are Premium Rose Buds, Premium Bora Bora, Peach and Apricot, Premium Emperor's Palace Tea, Premium Sencha Sakura, Premium Milk Oolong, Pistachio and Truffle, and Premium Sea of Blossoms. Besides this, guests can delight in 40 types of exceptional teas. Among the highlights was the Premium Milk Oolong which I found quite memorable. The tea leaves are steamed with milk water to release a signature creamy and fruity complexity. Simply speaking, it tasted like milk tea without the milk or calories. Another unforgettable herbal tea is the Premium Cool Mint. The infusion of peppermint, lemongrass and sweet apples gave the drink a layered complexity that I found rather interesting. Fragrant peppermint and refreshing lemongrass dance on the taste buds at first sip before lingering sweetness of apple and liquorice root step in. The Afternoon Tea set is priced at RM220 nett for two persons with free flow of coffee and tea. It is available, at the Lobby Lounge, from 3pm to 6pm daily until June 30. Guests can also take away the Premium 40th Anniversary Afternoon Tea Takeaway Set at RM188 per set. In conjunction with the 40th anniversary celebration, guests can enjoy RM40 off for every RM200 cash voucher purchased at Shangri-La Boutique until June 30. LOBBY LOUNGE, Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur. (Tel: 03-2786 2378) Business hours: 7am to midnight. This is the writer's personal observation and is not an endorsement by StarMetro.
BusinessToday
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BusinessToday
Experience An Afternoon of Taste and Tranquillity with 40 Global Teas
Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur is redefining the afternoon tea ritual this season with a curated experience that blends tradition, innovation, and global flair. From May 6 to June 30, 2025, guests can indulge in an exclusive Afternoon Tea at the Lobby Lounge, created in partnership with the renowned London Tea Exchange. This collaboration marks the Exchange's debut in Southeast Asia, offering a rare opportunity to explore 40 of the world's finest teas in one sitting journey that celebrates both heritage and contemporary taste. Executive Chef Scott Brands leads the vision behind this unique offering, blending culinary precision with the depth of tea infusions. 'Each bite is designed to tell a story,' he explains. 'By weaving handpicked teas into the menu, we've added subtle layers of flavour that celebrate tradition, creativity, and craftsmanship.' The savoury selection opens with a rich Rillettes of Fresh and Smoked Salmon Sandwich, gently lifted by the smoky aroma of Lapsang Souchong. A Truffle Egg Salad and Trout Caviar éclair is enhanced by Pistachio and Truffle Tea, bringing nutty richness, while a Caramelised Onion Mini Quiche with Charcoal Goat's Cheese balances tang and warmth. Sweet offerings are equally refined, with treats such as Lavender Pear with Spiced Honeycomb, infused with Lavender Tea, and a Bittersweet Chocolate Slice paired with Peach and Apricot Tea for a harmonious blend of cocoa and fruit. No afternoon tea would be complete without scones, and here, classic sultana and vanilla scones-infused with Vanilla Supremo Tea-are served warm with clotted cream, raspberry jam, and whipped butter. For those who prefer to enjoy this experience at home, a takeaway set is also available. At the heart of this experience is a carefully curated tea library crafted in collaboration with London Tea Exchange. Each of the 40 teas represents a cultural narrative, from ancient rituals to contemporary blends. Standouts include the delicate Premium Rosebuds from Iran, the vibrant tropical blend of Premium Bora Bora, and the rare Emperor's Palace Tea from China's Fujian highlands. The Afternoon Tea is priced at RM220 nett for two persons and is available daily at the Lobby Lounge. For those wishing to enjoy the experience at home, the Premium Takeaway Set is offered at RM188 per set. Related
