Tag: bone china

boutique bed and breakfast

The British tradition of Afternoon tea

Verdmont Acqui Terme

Welcome to our enchanting Yellow Tea Salon, nestled in the heart of Monferrato, where tradition meets innovation, and culture blends seamlessly. At our tea salon, we invite you to embark on a journey that transcends borders, bringing a touch of British charm to the picturesque Italian countryside.

Discover the elegance and refinement of a British afternoon tea experience, reimagined in a setting that celebrates both the rich heritage of tea culture and the warm hospitality of Italy. With vintage teapots and china from around Europe, exquisite pastries, and a tranquil atmosphere, we promise an unforgettable escape into the world of tea, where each cup tells a story, and every moment is a sip of serenity.

  • If you have ever been to London you might have noticed various hotels offer Afternoon Tea, well now we bring that tradition to Italy. Imagine a traditional British afternoon tea in an Italian salon?

You can have tea as a substitute for lunch or aperitivo.

Our teas are sourced from around the world, some are single estate fairtrade teas, others are traditional blends from the experts at Fortnum & Mason.

Whichever tea you choose it will be served with the local spumante for additional elegance and sparkle. All teas will be brewed to perfection accompanied by a variety of delicate freshly prepared sandwiches, freshly baked scones with cream and preserves, and to finish a selection of home made pastries.

It is a delightfully elegant experience and perfect for a relaxing afternoon. You can enjoy experience this as our guest or not so send us a message call or Dm. (24 hours notice required)

boutique bed and breakfast

The history of afternoon tea

Verdmont Acqui Terme

Afternoon tea is known throughout the world as one of the quintessential English customs. Surprisingly, it’s a relatively new tradition. While people have been drinking tea since the third millennium BC in China, its popularity in England didn’t occur until the 1660s, thanks to King Charles II and his wife, the Portuguese Infanta Catherine de Braganza. The concept of Afternoon Tea appeared during the mid-19th century.

Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, introduced the concept of Afternoon Tea in 1840. The Duchess got hungry around four o’clock in the afternoon, and the evening’s meal wasn’t until 8 pm. That meant there was a long time between lunch and dinner. Because no one wants to wait that long to eat, the Duchess asked for a tray of tea, bread, butter, and cake during the late afternoon. It became a habit of hers, and she began inviting friends to join her in her room to enjoy this afternoon snack. As finger sandwiches became a popular staple, the Earl of Sandwich’s effect would be felt.

This pause for tea and food became a fashionable social event. During the 1880’s upper-class and society women would wear long gowns, gloves, and hats to Afternoon Tea, which would typically be served in the drawing room between 4 and 5 pm.

At Verdmont you can enjoy tea (iced in summer) in our yellow tea salon from 1-6 (by appointment only)

You can use it as a lunch replacement or an aperitivo, either way you get a lovely selection of sandwiches, fresh scones, mini cakes and biscuits, and of course a selection of hand picked premium teas you will not find anywhere else in Italy, all set off with bubbles that are local and familiar . It makes a perfect family treat, friends afternoon or a romantic intimate experience.

Why not try it?