Accessorize your afternoon tea

3rd August 2009

What could be more appropriate than supping a cup of delicious Good Luck Green Tea from a four leaf clover-strewn mug.

Or how about drinking mellow Blue Sapphire (with cornflower leaves) from an elegant china cup and saucer decorated with the bloom. Matching your shoes to your handbag might be infra dig but co-ordinating cup and cuppa is an excellent idea. Check out our perfect matches here...

Which tea?Russian Caravan tea, from Northern Tea Merchants
Named after the 18th century camel trains that transported tea from China through Russia and onto Europe, Russian Caravan tea has a soft, smoky flavour that inspires reminiscences of the epic 6000 mile journey.
What mug? These Russian Doll mugs from LSA are apt.

Which tea? English Breakfast Tea, from Tea Pigs
We know the Union Jack is the flag of Great Britain, not just England, but why not start the day in a patriotic way by drinking a classic breakfast blend? With extra strength to help get your system going, the tea is made from classic black leaves (Assam, Ceylon and Rwandan) for a gutsy, rich and refreshing brew.
What mug? Union Jack mag from Debenhams.

Which tea? Earl Grey from Northern Tea Merchants.
The classic scented tea is made from black China tea and oil of bergamot for an uplifting, citrus-fragranced brew. Perfect for all day drinking.
What mug? A citrus bright vintage cup and saucer from Katy Potts.

Which tea? Blue Sapphire from Bettys By Post
Classic black tea from Sri Lanka is mixed with blue cornflower petals for a scrumptious, honeyed cup. The petals represent the sapphires which are found in South Western Sri Lanka, near the tea gardens. The brew can be served with or without milk but try taking it with honey instead of the usual sugar - it makes a tasty addition.
What mug? A bold cornflower painted cup, from the 1930s, with stylized flower handles. From The Oxford Tea Party website.

Which tea? Green Tea with Mint tea from Tea Pigs.
Fresh green tea is mixed with invigorating dried peppermint leaves for an exotic experience. Make like the Moroccans and pour your tea into little glasses, making sure you get some height between pot and glass. The distance the liquid has to travel will ensure plenty of freshening oxygen gets into the drink.
What mug? Skip clunky mugs and use authentic tea glasses instead, from Graham & Green

Which tea? Good Luck Green Tea from Bettys By Post
A subtly fruit-flavoured tea (the tea is grown among peach, plum and apricot trees and absorbs their fragrance) this is a classic Chinese green tea and as such is best drunk without milk. In China the tea is called Pi Lo Chun, or 'spring green snail'.
What mug? Get a double dose of luck with this Clover mug from Zazzle

Which tea? White Peony White Tea from Jing Tea 
With pale golden liquor and a "honey-dew" sweetness, this Chinese white tea is an elegant and exquisite drink. Alternatively known as Pai Mu Tan or Bai Mu Dan.
What cup? The aptly named 'Peony' cup and saucer from Habitat. Perfect.

Which tea? Winter Rose tea from Newby Teas 
China Congou black tea is blended with pink rose petals for a deliciously sweet and mellow cuppa with a soothing rose scent. Best served without milk.
What mug? A classic floral cup from Marks & Spencer is the ideal companion for this tea.

Which tea? Imperial Concubine's Smile tea from Jing Tea
An 'outstanding' black tea from Zhengshan Gardan in China's Fujian province, the flavour of this long-leaved tea is caramel, sweet, malty and complex.
What Mug? Choose a vintage 'geisha' decorated cup and saucer, from The Oxford Tea Party

Which tea? Cherry Sencha Leaf Tea, from Bettys By Post
A classic green tea from Japan and Indonesia. The leaves are steamed immediately after plucking (to seal in the flavour). After being dried and rolled, the leaves are imbued with a light aroma of maraschino cherries. Good enough to eat!
What mug? A vintage china cup and saucer painted with delicate cherry blossom blooms, from The Oxford Tea Party