Jamaican Inn maintaining the tradition of afternoon tea

Tea is adored all over the world, but there’s no doubt that the aromatic beverage has a special place in Jamaicans’ hearts.

Jamaica Inn, the beautiful historical resort located in Ocho Rios is maintaining the British custom of sitting down for an afternoon treat of tea, accompanied by sandwiches, scones, and cake. And rest assured, we are in Jamaica, so coffee is on the sipping menu,too.

Served at 4 p.m., which is in line with tradition, afternoon tea became fashionable in the early 19th century thanks to Anna, the Duchess of Bedford, in an effort to fill the gap between lunch and dinner, which at the time, dinner was served as late as 9 p.m.

Lifestyles have long changed since the 19th century, and afternoon tea is now, even more, a luxury rather than a gap to fill to stave off hunger pangs.

Food spoke with Maurice Henry, executive chef at Jamaica Inn for 12 years, who started at the resort as a junior sous chef 16 years ago.

“It is [afternoon tea] a special event. People will come off the beach, sip their tea, relax some more, have their sandwich or scone, and have a good look at the sun over the water,” says Henry of the terrace setting overlooking the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea.

Noting that the resort has many European visitors who revel in the opportunity to have afternoon tea, Henry says people from all over the world who stay at Jamaica Inn love the tradition. Some are introduced to ‘tea time’ while staying at the resort, and it then becomes part of their everyday lifestyle.

With tea served in the finest china and delicious sandwiches that range from cheese, tuna, tomato, ham, and delightful cucumber for the savoury palate to the sweet pleasures of cookies, scones, and cake, Jamaica Inn has you covered for afternoon tea.

debra.edwards@gleanerjm.com