High Tea is currently experiencing a remarkable revival. What has long been deeply rooted in the culinary cultures of the UK and the Netherlands is now increasingly finding its place in other countries – including Germany. The desire for conscious moments of enjoyment, for slowing down, and for shared time with others is bringing formats like High Tea back into focus. It’s not about rushing; it’s about savouring the moment: good food, great tea, and conversations that linger.
What is High Tea?
But what exactly does a High Tea consist of? Traditionally, it is a late-afternoon or early-evening tea experience that combines both sweet and savoury dishes. Unlike Afternoon Tea – which is lighter, sweeter, and served earlier – High Tea always includes something more substantial, almost dinner-like. If you want to explore the differences in more detail, you can find a dedicated article on Afternoon Tea in our magazine.
Key Features of High Tea
A classic High Tea typically includes:
- a balanced selection of sweet and savoury bites
- tea as the central element, often complemented by coffee
- a multi-course, shared experience
High Tea in Berlin: Our Special Event
This very understanding of High Tea was at the heart of our recent event with Studio Remi in Berlin. The culinary studio is known for high-quality food and visually striking creations – little edible works of art that combine taste and aesthetics. The menu was curated by Marvie Lingenberg, chef and Creative Lead at Studio Remi, who has also worked for Tim Raue.
“Our goal is to create culinary experiences,” Marvie explains. “What drives me is developing places and concepts that bring people together and put the shared enjoyment of food at the centre.” The idea for the High Tea was developed together with Stijn, co-owner of Restaurant Remi, inspired by the strong High Tea culture in the UK and the Netherlands – and by a simple question: what do people really want on a Sunday afternoon? Time with friends or family, good tea, and small, exquisite bites.
For Marvie, High Tea combines enjoyment, aesthetics, and community in a timeless way. The warm, almost decelerated atmosphere of the first High Tea quickly showed just how great the desire for such experiences is – and how wonderful it is to further develop them through collaborations.
Curated Delights with Premium Teas
A central element of our High Tea was the specially developed tea pairing, designed together with Anastasia Arampatzi, tea and assortment expert. The goal was to select teas that do not just accompany the dishes but enhance and complement each bite. For Marvie, one thing was immediately clear: “Only with Paper & Tea. I’ve been drinking their teas privately for a long time and trust the quality completely.” It was important to strike a balance between classic and distinctive flavours – such as the caffeine-free apple tea “Unter den Linden,” which Marvie could drink all day long, and a classic Darjeeling like “Muse,” an absolute must for any High Tea.
A Menu to Delight
The menu itself reflected this philosophy: high-quality, thoughtful, yet light. On the serving stands, guests found classic buttermilk scones with bitter orange and clotted cream, airy profiteroles with chocolate, cacao nibs, and "Deep Asana" tea, savoury bitterballen with mustard mayonnaise, and tramezzini with cucumber, cream cheese, and chives. Little delicacies that encouraged guests to take their time – and enjoy another course.
High Tea as an Experience of Relaxation
In an often fast-paced everyday life, High Tea is also a conscious moment of self-care for Marvie. “It’s a moment of calm, a small pause in which you take time without having to perform.” This idea runs through the entire experience: being present, enjoying together, and stepping out of daily routines for a while. How should guests feel when they leave High Tea? “Relaxed, inspired, and a little bit lighter.” The feeling that best captures the day, according to Marvie, is summed up in a single word: lightness.
Giveaway: Experience Your Own High Tea Moment
To share this feeling with even more people, we are currently giving away a High Tea experience. All information on the giveaway, how to participate, and the timeframe can be found on our instagram account. We’re keeping our fingers crossed and can’t wait to share this special moment of indulgence with you.
