Gourmet Holidays
The cuisine at Ceylon Tea Trails takes its cue from the long tradition of dining well at the tea planter’s table: nostalgic flavours of Europe and a tradition of service and pampering unique to British colonial times. Tea Trails is all about the time-honoured planters’ traditions: Roaring fires and the comfort of a single malt whiskey while the mists roll in or a stiff gin and tonic after a long day’s walk in the tea gardens accompanied by the spicy flavours of Sri Lankan nibbles to stimulate the appetite. Scrumptious afternoon high teas in gardens curiously English and exotic at the same time. A four-course dinner that is at once contemporary and colonial with its garden-fresh ingredients married with good wines, best shared in good company. Or a fabulously aromatic, authentic Sri Lankan rice and curry for lunch -- a definite harbinger of the afternoon siesta. The day at Tea Trails starts with that wonderful colonial institution, Bed Tea. Served by your butler as part of a gentle wake-up call, this must be the most civilized way to start the day. An early morning walk followed by an English breakfast-with-everything is a must at least once during your sojourn at Tea Trails. A perfectly brewed cup of tea accompanies eggs, bacon, sausages, mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, marmalade, butter, toast, freshly squeezed juice… and anything else you may care to add. A unique aspect of Tea Trails’ cuisine is the use of fresh, home grown vegetables, herbs and teas from the surrounding gardens. Crunchy baby carrots, luscious purple beetroot, green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, deep red cherry tomatoes, green and yellow zucchini, celery, crisp cucumbers, radish, rhubarb and red, green and yellow peppers. Salad greens – iceberg lettuce, roquette and local red and green varieties -- are freshly picked from the bungalow gardens. Fresh home-grown herbs such as basil, rosemary, thyme, tarragon, sage, parsley and mint inspire and enliven the chef’s menus every day: Broccoli with roasted almond soup with blue cheese. Keemun tea and fresh tarragon infused roasted chicken with braised curly cabbage and baby carrot. Oyster mushroom soup with garden fresh basil pesto. Moroccan mint tea crusted lamb rump steak with grilled herb polenta and roasted peppers in tamarind sauce. Zucchini and pumpkin frittata with rocket and pine nut salad. Desserts are unashamedly luscious: Orange and lime cheese cake with cinnamon rhubarb. Apple tart with Assam tea cream anglaise. Cinnamon tea poached pears with butter scotch ice cream. Passion fruit pannacotta with minted citrus fruit salad. Banana and sultana compote served with Hibiscus sorbet. Traditional English afternoon tea is an intrinsic part of plantation life, a much-appreciated ritual served on the bungalow lawns by immaculately sarong clad “apoos.” High Tea comes replete with a traditional tea service, dainty cucumber sandwiches, scones, fresh cream and strawberry jam.
go to www.teatrails.com
Read reviews of Ceylon Tea Trails at tripadvisor.com
Named a Top 10 Luxury Hotel for Tea Lovers. Read more reviews here
