The History of Afternoon Tea

Afternoon tea was invented by Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford (1783-1857), a lady-in-waiting for Queen Victoria. In her day, the upper crust ate a huge breakfast, a little lunch, and a very late dinner. Every afternoon, the duchess experienced a "sinking feeling" on account of the unusual meal schedule. One afternoon she instructed her servants to serve tea and little cakes in her boudoir. The experiencewas so delightful that Anna repeated it every afternoon thereafter. Soon others followed the Duchess' lead, and in just a few decades the custom of "taking tea" in the afternoon had become well established. At first, the practice was limited to the upper classes, but it eventually became so popular that tea shops and tea-rooms began opening for the enjoyment of the general public. A refined pleasure that dates back many centuries, Afternoon Tea was given new prominence when it was incorporated into The Ritz-Carlton heritage. Today, at the Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans, this sophisticated ritual takes on a new resonance of flavorful elegance. Here, you can take time out from your day to experience one of life's true delights.

Traditional New Orleans “Big Easy” Tea

Delicate sandwiches and petite pastries are served with your selection of freshly infused tea from the list below. Accompanied by a glass of The Ritz Champagne, Steven Kent Chardonnay or Tio Pepe Sherry, this afternoon indulgence of excess in miniature. It is a Regal complement to the company.

Mini Lobster Rolls, Tasso Cream Cheese

Crawfish Remoulade Barquette

Tasso Deviled Egg with Louisiana Choupique Caviar

Artichoke Confit,, Rockefeller Cream Cheese On Wheat

Smoked Salmon on Brioche a Green Tomato Jam

Louisiana Choupique Caviar and crème fraîche on Blinis

Trio of Freshly Baked Scones with Lemon

And Devonshire Cream

Assorted Tea Breads, Fruit Tart, Tea Pastries,

Cookie and pralines

Slice Strawberries in Flute of Champagne

Fresh Strawberries, Served with Whipped Cream

$27

 French Quarter Tea

With your pot of tea, we serve a selection of tea sandwiches and pastries

Crawfish Remoulade Barquette

Tasso Deviled Egg with Louisiana Choupique Caviar

Artichoke Confit,, Rockefeller Cream Cheese On Wheat

Smoked Salmon on Brioche a Green Tomato Jam

Trio of Freshly Baked Scones with Lemon

and Devonshire Cream

$24

Light Tea

Petite pastries and baked sweets served with your selection

of freshly infused tea from the list below.

Trio of Mini Scones with Lemon

and Devonshire Cream

Assorted Tea Breads, Fruit Tarts, Tea Pastries,

Cookie and Pralines

$19

Children’s Tea

Your choice of tea, hot chocolate or milk accompany a selection of sandwiches and pastries

Ham and Cheese

Peanut Butter and Jelly

Freshly Baked Chocolate Scones

Fresh Fruit Tart,

Banana Bread and Tea Cookies

$18

Tea Selections

Black Teas

Arise-

An energizing blend of black and oolong teas designed

to invigorate and satisfy the most discerning

tea drinker with a well-rounded yet assertive flavor.

Darjeeling 1st Flush-

In celebration of the first harvest of the year, this combination

of green and black teas provides notes of the Muscat grape

with a soft flower taste.

Earl Grey Supreme-

For the connoisseur, this is a blend of the finest black tealeaves

and bergamot citrus fruits dating back to the 19th century

Sino-British trade.

Golden Yunnan-

A certified black tea from the trees of Jingmai Mangjin,

that has a deep red infusion with molasses like

sweetness and malty finish.

Ceylon Single Estate-

This black tea from a single garden in Sri Lanka gives hints

of roasted sugar cane and raisins to provide

a fruity and full bodied taste.

Lychee Red Tea-

A sweet and fruity black tea from China that is cured with the

essence of sweet Lychee fruits for a delicate flavor.

White Teas

Peach Blossom-

Rare flower-scented white tea blended with natural

essence of succulent peaches for notes of soft honey,

soothing jasmine, osthmanthus, and fresh peaches.

Green Teas

Green Jade-

From the mountains of Zhejiang, this hand selected tea

offers an aroma of sweetly toasted chestnut and

grains with a mild astringency..

Jasmine Pearl -

Tender green tealeaves and buds are hand rolled into small pearls

infused with the essence of fresh jasmine blossoms which

imparts a sweet, soothing flavor in each cup.

Lemon Myrtle Green-

A blend of organic flower-scented green teas from China and

lemon myrtle from Australia to offer a light liquoring

infusion with fresh lemon-lime and floral notes.

Oolong Tea

Plum Oolong-

Succulent essence of plum is imparted to a blend of wild

organic schizandra berries and sweet amber oolong

tea leaves from Tawain,

Herbal Tisane

Jamaica Red Bush-

A brilliant, fruity blend of the island flavors of

mango, passion fruit, grenadine, and

Jamaican spices.

Serene-

A calming blend of chamomile and rare jasmine blossoms

along with notes of citrus and lavender to

soothe away all the worries of the day.