One of the most fulfilling aspects of being a blogger is meeting people who share similar interests. Because I write about the subject of tea, I have had the pleasure of connecting with a number of  ‘foodies’, and I love getting to know them and their businesses.

When I first came across The English Cream Tea Company I thought …. well, it goes without saying. They had me at the words ‘cream tea.’

The Company

Wife Jane and husband Roger (a chef) are the owners of The English Cream Tea Company in Essex. Years of travel gave them opportunities to indulge in afternoon tea at hotels around the world. After their children were born, they continued their afternoon tea adventures with family trips to London’s grand hotels. They know how tea is done.

But not every person can travel to tea, so Jane created The English Cream Tea Company to bring tea to the person. Anything from a Cream Tea for two to a full London hotel-style afternoon tea for four (sandwiches, cakes, scones, jam, and cream) can be delivered straight to your front door – the food freshly made, arriving chilled and ready for consumption.

Hamper Review

Thanks to the generosity of The English Cream Tea Company, I was privileged to take delivery earlier this week of one of their themed products, the Nell Gwyn Hamper, and I must tell you that the quality, thought, and artistry behind this product was both impressive and outstanding. Everything from the packaging to the food to the presentation was first-class.  It was immediately obvious to me that they operate to a very high standard and want to provide their customers with a product of great beauty and great value.

To begin with, I love their concept of an orange-themed Nell Gwyn Hamper!  Nell Gwyn was born in London in 1650 of  very humble beginnings. As a young woman, she sold oranges at the King’s Theatre and, believe it or not, became one of England’s leading comedy actresses. She eventually caught the roving eye of King Charles II, and became his mistress (and mother of several of his children).

From The English Cream Tea Company website:

This box comes with a brief history about ‘pretty, witty Nell’ who was renowned for her buxom charms (hence our Saucy Meringues!) and this hamper celebrates both Nell and orange flavours in style.  However, as Nell is attributed with persuading the King to set up Chelsea Hospital as a permanent home for military invalids, we would like to honour her spirit.  Therefore £2 from each Nell Gwyn box will go to the Carver Barracks Injured Soldiers Fund.

The Nell Gwyn Hamper:

Olde English Marmalade Sandwiches
Freshly Made Orange and Cointreau Sultana Scones
Luxury Orange Curd
Clotted Cream
Saucy Meringues*
Orange Pekoe loose-leaf tea
Bournville Chocolate & Orange Delight (my hamper contained chocolate brownies instead, which I actually preferred)
Orange teapot
Napkins and bamboo cutlery

The food from the Nell Gwyn Hamper was delicious, full of flavour, and tasted like it had just been made. Portions were lavish. The incredible orange fragrance from the sandwiches and scones proved to me that the ingredients used in this tea hamper were superior.

Included in the box was a very helpful leaflet describing the product ingredients used in all their hampers. The leaflet also reminds customers that their hampers are made with hugs from the Scone Gnomes. You just can’t help but smile.

Whether you want to treat yourself, your friends and family, or your employees – or are looking for an alternative way to host an Afternoon Tea (by letting someone else provide the food!) – I highly recommed a hamper from The English Cream Tea Company.

Product photographs

The sheer extravagance of  the Nell Gwyn Hamper compelled me to take detailed pictures so I could show you the high standard of product and presentation. You will see by the table I set just how easy it was for me to create a magnificent afternoon tea by doing little more than simply opening a box delivered to my front door from The English Cream Tea Company.

Attractive, substantial packaging.
Delivery is arranged so that you know exactly
when your hamper will arrive for signature.

Very appealing corrugated cardboard box,
thoughtfully wrapped with a bright orange satin ribbon.

Top layer contents:
Scones, orange curd, clotted cream (chilled), brownies, tea.
Each item had a small sticky sponge on the back so that this
attractive arrangement remained intact during shipping.

Bottom layer contents:
Tea sandwiches, meringues, napkins and bamboo cutlery.

Freshly made tea sandwiches are kept cold by chilled inserts.

The orange slice and parsley are a delightful garnish.

Light-as-air meringues with glacé cherries

*If you are familiar with this famous portrait of Nell Gwyn,
you will understand the symbolism behind the saucy meringues!

Easily create a stunning Afternoon Tea:
All you need are some plates, teacups, and …..

….. a hamper from The English Cream Tea Company!

The orange marmalade tea sandwiches
were fresh, soft, moist and bursting with flavour.

I am a scone baker and can honestly say that these scones were perfect.
They were a good size, firm, and full of moist fruit.
The meringues were lovely – not too crumbly, and very light.

Orange Curd and Clotted Cream.
The bamboo spoons included in the hamper were perfect for serving.

The Orange Pekoe loose leaf tea was excellent.

Orange and Cointreau Sultana Scones in action.
Partners in crime: Orange Curd and Clotted Cream.

The English Cream Tea Company
www.englishcreamtea.com

I urge you to visit the website of The English Cream Tea Company to view their complete range of products that include cream tea weddings, food for crowds, corporate boxes – and of course, Christmas hampers.

In conclusion, if you are searching for tea hampers of five-star quality and value, look no further than The English Cream Tea Company.

(For an unbiased review of a tea or tea-related product of beneficial interest to the readers of Tea in England, please get in touch with me via the contact form.)