A Slice of London in My Cup: My Harrods Afternoon Tea Journey

You know how some people dream of meeting their celebrity crush?

Well, I’ve always dreamed of meeting a scone. A real, fluffy, buttery English scone served at Harrods Afternoon Tea. That, my friend, is the Beyoncé of baked goods.

But since I couldn’t hop on a plane to London on a Tuesday afternoon (because adulting and EMIs exist), I decided to bring Harrods home. And what followed was a deliciously chaotic, slightly dramatic, yet utterly heartwarming adventure, equal parts Downton Abbey and MasterChef (minus the judgmental British accents).

☕ What Is Harrods Afternoon Tea Anyway?

Picture this: polished silverware, finger sandwiches as dainty as a duchess’s handshake, clotted cream thicker than Delhi fog, and tea so refined it probably speaks with a posh accent.

Harrods, the iconic London department store, is not just a shopping; it’s also the grand stage for a quintessential British ritual: afternoon tea.
And it’s not just tea. It’s an experience. A ceremony. A very chic excuse to eat cake at 4 PM.

The Setup: Channelling My Inner Queen

I started by setting the scene. Mood matters, darling.

Out came my lone bone china cup (a Diwali gift from my masi), a floral tray, and a Spotify playlist titled “British Tea Time Vibes” (heavy on the violins and rain sounds).

Here's what I gathered:

• Loose-leaf Earl Grey (the star of the show)
  
  

• Scones – baked at home, with Google as my sous chef
  
  

• Clotted Cream & Strawberry Jam – courtesy of a gourmet store and sheer luck
  
  

• Cucumber Sandwiches – because apparently, royalty eats vegetables in rectangles
  
  

The Tea-Making Bit: Elegance Meets Elbow Grease

Now, let’s get to the part that made me feel like a refined tea witch brewing spells.

🫖 How I Brewed My Harrods-Worthy Tea:

1. Boil water like it owes you money.
   But don’t let it overboil, too hot and you’ll burn the tea leaves. You want it just shy of a rolling boil.
   
   

2. Pre-warm the teapot.
   This is not extra; it’s essential. Swirl some hot water inside and pour it out. Keeps the brewing even.
   
   

3. Use loose-leaf tea, not tea bags.
   Trust me, you’ll taste the difference. About 1 teaspoon per cup, plus one for the pot (British tradition, not my maths).
   
   

4. Steep, don’t stew.
   Let the tea steep for 3–5 minutes. Any longer, and it starts judging your life choices.
   
   

5. Strain and pour with flair.
   Milk first or after? That’s a debate worthy of Parliament. I do milk after, which keeps the colour dramatic.
   
   

The Food: Sandwiches, Scones & Sweet Surrender

Now, for the supporting cast that makes the tea feel like a red carpet event.

🥪 Cucumber Sandwiches – A Study in Simplicity

• White bread (crusts off like you're royalty)
  
  

• Thinly sliced cucumbers
  
  

• A swipe of cream cheese or butter
  
  

• A sprinkle of salt and pepper
  
  

They taste like elegance and quiet confidence.

🍰 Homemade Scones – My Battle and Triumph

Okay, baking scones was… an emotional journey.
I followed a BBC recipe, prayed to Mary Berry, and hoped for fluffy results.

Pro tip:
Use cold butter and don’t overmix the dough. Think of it as a shy friend, you want to nudge, not knead.

When those golden domes rose in the oven, I may have teared up. No one saw. (Except the cat.)

I served them with store-bought clotted cream (a miracle find in Delhi!) and homemade jam (read: mashed strawberries and sugar). Bliss.

The Sip: A Moment of Pure Theatre

Finally, I took that first sip.
Warm. Aromatic. Slightly citrusy from the bergamot in the Earl Grey. It felt like an old-world letter written in cursive. The sandwiches followed, the scones made their dramatic entrance, and I was officially in a London state of mind.

Why You Should Try This at Least Once

Because slowing down for tea at 4 PM is rebellion in a world that glorifies hustle.
Because your soul sometimes craves ceremony.
Because biting into a warm scone with clotted cream is a form of self-love.

Parting Tips for Your Own Harrods-Style Afternoon

• Invest in good tea. Loose-leaf over bags, always.
  
  

• Use real butter, not margarine. Your scones will thank you.
  
  

• Mood matters, play soft music, use your best crockery, and light a candle.
  
  

• Invite a friend, or your plants. Or just yourself.
  
  

• Savour every bite and sip. No multitasking allowed.
  
  

A Very British Hug in a Cup

I didn’t make it to Harrods.
But in that golden hour, with scone crumbs on my pyjamas and tea warming my hands, I was there in spirit.

Tea, my friends, is time travel.
It’s self-care wrapped in steam.
And every cup is a story waiting to be steeped.

So go on, brew yourself a little luxury today. You deserve it. Pinky up is optional.