TIDBITS
Tea lovers come running for Ronnefeldt
Whether your favourite tea is black, green, white, Oolong, fruity or herbal, its ability to awaken, refresh, relax and even inspire is undeniable. Little wonder that even many coffee drinkers keep a stash of teabags handy in the kitchen or at the office.
There's something very special, though, about sipping tea in grand ambience, especially if there are delicious savouries and desserts waiting to be sampled. The Shangri-La Hotel is currently offering connoisseurs 89 choices of Ronnefeldt tea in its Lobby Lounge, and there's little that can top an afternoon spent enjoying the river view over cups of this fine brew and wonderful desserts freshly made by Belgian executive pastry chef Philippe Daue. Ronnefeldt has had an enviable reputation in the tea business since 1823 thanks to its careful selection of the finest, handpicked leaves from top plantations in Africa, China, Japan and Sri Lanka. The tea choices at the Shangri-La range from original blends to tropical infusions. Among those highly recommended:
l Irish Malt, which mingles the aroma of Irish whisky with a hint of cocoa in a malty Assam tea; l Strawberry and Yoghurt, with freshly ripe berries harmoniously combined with yoghurt crispies; l Live & Beauty, an excellent herbal infusion with tropical fruits and aloe vera - not only good for your inner well-being but also great for your appearance; l Morgentau, a fascinating composition of large-leafed Sencha and delicate fruity aromas and petals; l and Mokalbarie, an extravagant "broken tea" with a superb lively aroma of malt and spices.
These and many other flavours are presented in a unique contraption - the "tilting" or "sleeping" teapot - a Ronnefeldt creation that lies on its back as the tea and boiling water are placed inside and left to steep. It comes back upright when it's time to serve. Afternoon tea is served daily in the Lobby Lounge, and the Harmony Trio perform every Friday and Saturday from 3.15 to 6pm. Call (02) 236 7777 for reservations. You'll also find Ronnefeldt being enjoyed at the Dusit Thani in Bangkok and the Dusit Resorts in Hua Hin and Pattaya. Now it's your turn to choose: There's premium black, green, herbal, flavoured and fruit infusion at the Pattaya resort's Cascade Cafe, the Peak (a Chinese restaurant), The Bay Il Ristorante Italiano and the Dusit Gourmet.
Juthamas Cholthavornpong The Nation
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