Hawaiian High Tea at the 'Imiloa Cafe

The pleasant custom of taking a leisurely tea in the afternoon was adopted by Hawaiian Royalty between the mid and the late 1880's even though it had long been the practice of the British families who first settled in our islands in earlier years.  There are several hotels and Inns around the different islands who continue the tradition of serving a Hawaiian High Tea to this day.

Although to the British the term High Tea refers to an evening meal, to the Hawaiian Royalty who adopted the custom it meant a very substancial repast consisting of a big assortment of fancy finger foods and decadent desserts, and that is how it is still known today.

On a recent Sunday afternoon we attended a Hawaiian High Tea at the 'Imiloa Cafe.  The event was a collaboration between 'Imiloa Café, Joseph Figaroa of the Figaroa Collection on Kiawe Street in Hilo, who was exhibiting his new line of handbags,

The guests tasted seven tea blends during the event and each blend was explained by Ms Johnson as the staff served at the tables.

The tea selections were:

Pink Palace Garden Party: Black & Green tea- Jasmine & Earl Grey notes.

Hunwal: 2nd Flush Estate Black Tea

Russian Caravan: a Toasty (smokey) Black Tea

Mim: 2nd Flush Estate Darjeeling

CO2 Decaffeinated Assam: India Black Tea

Creamy Earl Grey: Sri Lanka Black Tea with hints ofBergamot and Vanilla

Rainbow Rooibos: South African Rooibos harmoniously blended with Cornflower and Calendula Petals

Each table was decorated with a glass bud vase and a ceramic or porcelain tea pot.  A printed card listing the tea selections was also available on each table.

The delicious food was the inspiration and creation of 'Imiloa Café Chef Rebecca Cook and her staff using as much of the Big Island's produce and products as possible.

Chef Cook's passion for food becomes obvious as soon as you tasted the goat cheese tarts, sausages wrapped in curried puff pastry, choux paste tidbits filled with crab salads, mini scones with fresh cream and delicious mini Russian tea cakes and mixed berry trifle.

Small open face sandwiches were made with local poi and guava bread garnished with thinly sliced cucumbers and tissue paper thin slices of Hamakua grown tomatoes.

The 'Imiloa Cafe is located at the 'Imiloa Astronomy Center just above the University of Hawaii at Hilo Campus.