How about High Tea? Try this London Fog Cake!
I’ve always been a tea lover at heart. To me, a steaming, beautifully presented teapot never felt stiff or formal—it carried a sense of magic and imagination, much like stepping into the Mad Hatter’s world in Alice in Wonderland.
Back in my art-college days in Baltimore (circa 2016), loose-leaf teas were a hipster staple. At a little café called The Bun Shop, they served only teas and buns. My favorite order was always a London Fog: Earl Grey steeped with milk, lavender, and honey. Comforting, and just a little bit whimsical.
Fast forward to today, and I still crave that flavour in Cape Town's cold weather. So you can imagine my delight when I stumbled across this recipe from In Bloom Bakery that transforms the drink into a cake: Lavender Fog Cake—a soft Earl Grey sponge, infused with lavender and milk syrup, topped with lavender cream-cheese frosting. It’s light, fragrant and delicious!
Why High Tea is Making a Comeback—Even for Gen Z
High tea might sound like something from a bygone era, but it’s staging a stylish return. Food & Wine’s Kirsty Alpert recently visited Hotel Maria in Helsinki for afternoon tea and discovered she was “the oldest in the room at 30.” Gen Z has embraced high tea—not as a stuffy ritual, but as a fun, casual, and very Instagrammable outing.
A Fancy Affair at Home
Of course, you don’t need a five-star hotel to host a magical tea spread. A little imagination at home goes a long way. Lay out pretty napkins and tea towels, line up teacups, pull out your Spaza tea cosy to keep the pot warm, and cover baked treats with a square dish cover. Suddenly, your ordinary table feels like a whimsical stage set.
Where to Find Loose-Leaf Tea in Cape Town
If you’re hunting for interesting teas to make your high tea feel special, here are some gems:
- Peacock Tea & Coffee Traders– An institution since 1966, offering everything from oolongs to rooibos, plus all the accessories.
- Jasmine Tea Mill – A Chinese tea specialist with carefully sourced oolongs, pu-erhs, and beautiful teaware.
- Enmasse Tea Merchants –A range of custom blended teas all made in Cape Town.
And for the perfect china to serve it in, wander into Whatnot & China in Kalk Bay. It’s a hidden treasure trove of vintage teacups and curiosities—well worth the hunt up the alley way.
Recipes for a High Tea Spread
No tea party is complete without a tempting lineup of sweet and savory treats. Here are a few classics and a couple of fancier options:
Nostalgic Classics
- Cucumber Sandwiches – Fresh, light, and timeless.
- Malva Pudding – A South African staple, best drowned in custard.
- Milk Tart – Creamy, and comforting.
- Pecan Pie – Delicious and rich.
Fancy Flair
- Lemon & Olive Oil Cake – Mediterranean sunshine in every bite.
- Lavender Fog Cake – Fragrant, elegant, and indulgent.
Present it beautifully: cover square cakes with a Spaza Square Dish Cover and round desserts with a Large SpaZa Dish Cover.