On the 8th of May, Harney & Sons New Zealand had the pleasure of sharing their craft with the residents of Metlifecare’s beautiful new Ōtau Ridge community in Clevedon, as part of their inaugural Mother’s Day High Tea.
Set against a backdrop of string melodies and a tempting array of sweet treats, the morning was an early taste of the luxury lifestyle on offer to future residents. Harney & Sons brought along a curated selection of six teas, a little world tour in cups, for everyone to sip and sample as the morning unfolded.
A standout among the lineup was their Special English Breakfast, a bold, malty blend created in partnership with the St. George’s Society of New York. It’s a tea with a heart: every purchase supports vital programs protecting vulnerable seniors, supporting low-income students through university, and aiding families affected by childhood cancer.
For the Earl Grey lovers, they poured their Earl Grey Supreme, a refined take on the classic, with silver tips and a soft citrus lift from bergamot oil. It’s a tea that wins over even the most devoted traditionalists. This was enjoyed by a resident who had just joined the community and by the end of the High Tea had been engrossed in conversation and making fast friends.
Those with a taste for tradition found comfort in Gunpowder Green, a tea that harks back to our early days, with tightly rolled pellets and a satisfyingly smoky edge.
Paris, however, may have stolen the show. This black tea blend, infused with vanilla, caramel, currant and bergamot, charmed a few milk-tea loyalists into enjoying it. Its fragrant finish and silky body made it a fast favourite.
The herbal offerings didn’t go unnoticed either. Peppermint, with its crisp, clean flavour and digestive benefits, was described by more than one guest as “the perfect post-scone pick-me-up”. And for one lively table of guests, our Raspberry Herbal Tisane was a runaway hit; every cup was followed by a request for another. With its rich colour and festive notes of hibiscus, orange peel and berry, it was as pretty to look at as it was delicious to drink.
"A heartfelt thank you to the team at Metlifecare for the warm welcome, and to every guest who joined us on the day. It was a joy to celebrate with you and to raise a teacup to all the mothers, grandmothers, and maternal figures who make life sweeter."
If you want your residents to have access to the everyday luxury that is Harney & Sons Tea, call Findlay on 021 813 355 or email us at info@harneyteas.co.nz.
