A Made in Canada Tea Party
Spring is almost upon us! The days are longer, the sun is peeking out, trying to dispel the remaining chill in the air. And what better way to warm up the last vestiges of winter, than with a Made in Canada tea party! We've pulled together our favourite Canadian-made gourmet treats, and a few recipes for the ultimate at-home tea party! Dust off your fine porcelain, for in the immortal words of the Mad Hatter, “Yes, that's it! Said the Hatter with a sigh, it's always tea time” -Lewis Carrol, Alice in Wonderland.
The best part about hosting a tea party, is you get to set the mood! A refined afternoon tea? A toque and plaid dress code? Anything goes? Whatever you choose, plan ahead for a fabulous spread: gather a variety of teas, a savoury option or two, scones with jam and clotted cream, and small pastries - prepare minimum two savoury and two sweet options per person.
It's no secret we love Sloane tea! Sloane’s founder, Hoda Paripoush, is one of the first certified tea sommeliers in North America, she has travelled through India, China, Taiwan and Japan to source the finest teas direct from the producers to blend right here in Toronto. If you're preparing a pot to serve everyone, the loose leaf tea can be steeped right in your teapot. Or you prefer your guests choose their flavour, a variety of sachets allows them to choose their own flavour adventure! Want to make it extra fancy? Try a Heavenly Fog. This makes one serving, so multiply as needed – recipe adapted from Gimme Some Oven.
Scones are truly one of life's delicious moments. We love them warm and buttery, soft and crumbly, straight out of the oven! Sure, you could do them from scratch but when you're serving a crowd, take some of the work out and try the Dream Scone mix from Montreal-based Maison Zoe Ford. With all the dry ingredients and thorough instructions, these scones are a treat to make and eat!
Dream Scones are slightly sweet and ready to be dressed up! If you want to truly appreciate jam, try Strawberry, Raspberry & Cream from Kitten & the Bear. Their preserves are a delight, and made a few blocks from Ziggy's on Dundas St West. If you want to go a little spicy, try a dollop of clotted cream with a Drizzle of Cinnamon Spiced or Ginger Shine raw honey. Produced in Alberta, Drizzle puts the health and happiness of bees and their ecosystem first, with delicious results!
Maison Zoe Ford Dream Scones - zoeford.com
And now for something savoury...can we talk about finger sandwiches? The soft, crust-free bread, the smooth fillings, each one is a few bites of heaven! A batch of fresh dill cream cheese elevates both the classic cucumber and smoked salmon sandwiches. Or try an egg salad, with mayonnaise and paprika. If you have dairy free guests, make the dill cream cheese with a vegan alternative or try dairy-free pesto and roasted red pepper for delicious vegan-friendly options.
Whether you're team savoury or sweet, caffeine or herbal, there's something for everyone in a well-crafted tea party. And don't forget - it's sandwiches first, then scones, then dessert. Enjoy!
