Get all sophisticated with a pocket full of tjing (R325 will do), some charisma and an afternoon of high tea at the Nellie.
No really, if caffeine and sugar trip your switch, then High Tea at the Mount Nelson is a must. On our last visit we barely managed 6 pots of tea and two rounds to the dessert buffet before our bodies started fighting back.
Although the setting was a bit subfusc with renovations in full swing, the selection of Chá was extensive and our tea sommelier was on point.
Tea Talk
The tea plant, Thea Sinensis, originates from Asia and in its wild state, it can grow quite tall, but when constantly pruned, it remains a bush that produces pointed young buds. It is these young buds that are the source of tea.
Like vintage wines, each tea crop reflects local characteristics – the nature of the soil, the climate, the amount of sun and rain, the time of plucking etc.
What to expect
While the piano belts out pop favourites from yesteryear, you can enjoy savoury finger sandwiches filled with rare roast beef and rocket, smoked salmon and egg mayonnaise, followed by freshly baked scones with clotted cream and preserves. After this, they let you loose on the dessert table. It’s intense. Imagine Charlie Wonka farts a spread of chocolate delights so heavenly that even the biggest sugar-bashers can’t resist. It’s a thing of beauty.
So release your sweet beast and grab a seat between 13:30–15:30 or 15:30–17:30, while you explore the wonderful world of tea.
Price: R325 per adult, R185 per child
Rooibos Teas from South Africa
PURE WILD ROOIBOS
Ultra-high grade pure Highland rooibos grown in the wild on the high altitude Cedarberg Mountains. The Red Gold of South Africa. Hints of honey and orange notes.
STRAWBERRY AND VANILLA
Pure Rooibos flavoured with sweet strawberry and vanilla – children’s favourite.
ORANGE AND SPICES
Rooibos flavoured with spicy cinnamon, warming cardamom, comforting cloves, vanilla and orange.
Blended Black Teas
BELMOND MOUNT NELSON HOTEL BLEND
A contemporary classic – our exclusive blend of six International teas from Africa and Asia, flavoured with buds and petals of our signature Mount Nelson pink roses.
ENGLISH BREAKFAST
A full-bodied, aromatic tea with sweet, fruity notes, wonderful tea to start the day. This blend of English Breakfast is blended from teas originated in Kenya, Sri Lanka and Assam.
RUSSIAN BLEND
This tea is based on a classic Russian blend, it is highly aromatic and earthy.
Black Tea from Sri Lanka
CEYLON PETTIAGALLA
This fine Ceylon comes from the Dimbula area in the Balangoda District. It has a dark red colour, is highly aromatic with a mild taste.
Black Teas from India
ASSAM BUKHIAL
Assam full leaf 2nd flush tea with typical strong and earthy flavour.
DARJEELING BLEND
This single origin Indian tea is highly aromatic, with a lingering flavour. A beautiful connection to the Heaven of Tea.
Black Tea from Kenya
KENYA MARINYN
Neatly twisted, gold tipped leaves steep to a robust, medium bodied tea with a slightly fruity, floral taste.
Flavoured Teas
VANILLA
A rich, velvety black tea flavoured with vanilla pieces – the perfect accompaniment to chocolate.
LAPSANG SOUCHONG
A classic scented Chinese black tea. Larger Souchong leaves are plucked, and after fermentation, they are roasted on a hot iron plate. The tea is then moderately smoked on bamboo racks.
EARL GREY BLUE FLOWER
A classic tea flavoured with uplifting Bergamot oil, embellished with striking blue cornflowers.
ORIENTAL SPICE
A classic flavoured black tea with a touch of oriental spice.
Green Tea from China
GUNPOWDER TEMPLE OF HEAVEN
The leaves of this prestigious Chinese tea are curled into small balls, hence the ‘gunpowder’ association. It has a fresh flavour and a nutty oak aroma.
Green Teas from Japan
SENCHA FUKUJYU
Sencha grows on the slopes of Mount Fuji in Japan. Tea leaves are lightly steamed and dried to preserve the freshness, it has a distinctively strong Green Tea aroma.
BANCHA HOJICHA
A classic Japanese tea which is lower in caffeine. It is made by roasting at high temperature until reddish brown. The flavour is aromatic with roasted, nutty notes.
GENMAICHA
Japanese bancha tea is blended with roasted and popped rice, which gives it a pleasant, mild nutty flavour, and it has low caffeine.
Flavoured Green Tea
ORANGE AND BERRIES
A cleansing and sweetly uplifting fruit-flavoured Chinese Sencha tea.
Oolong Tea from Taiwan
Ali High Mountain Oolong. Ali Mountain is famous for superior High Mountain tea cultivation in Taiwan. Its aromas and flavours gradually unlock, making it ideal for multiple infusions.
Scented Oolong Tea from China
JASMINE BAI HAO
A prestigious tea originally reserved for the imperial Court, first blended with Jasmine blossoms, imbuing the tea with a beautiful scent.
White Tea from China
PAI MU TAN (WHITE PEONY FLOWER)
A delicate orange-coloured infusion, with a mild flavour – this tea from China’s Fujian province is made from tea buds, collected and air-dried prior to opening.
Herbal Infusions
PURE CHAMOMILE
A mild infusion, known for its sleep-inducing properties and sunshine yellow colour.
HIBISCUS FLOWER
Made popular in Egypt and North Africa, this infusion can be enjoyed hot or cold, with or without sugar. It has a tart, fruity tang and a striking crimson colour.
PEPPERMINT LEAVES
Pure Peppermint leaves, imbuing excellent refreshing and aromatic properties.
Fruit Infusions
LEMON
An energising combination of hibiscus, apple, rose hip, lemon grass and lemon.
FOREST BERRIES
An intensely fruity pink infusion of elderberries, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries.
