Milk Tea Kit Kat: Let's have a tea party!

Milk Tea Kit Kat:  A Japanese variety of the traditional crunchy wafer wrapped in milk chocolate

 

Chocolate, tea and an invitation to have a tea party. 

One may think that's an awful lot to expect of a small candy bar, but we at BTS can confirm, this special Kit Kat lives up to its bold packaging claims.

Although, I'm very familiar with Kit Kats, the crunchy wafer wrapped in milk chocolate that's been providing me "a break" since I was a kid, I didn't realize that there were many international varieties of this sweet treat.  This month, I was introduced to Milk Tea Kit Kat from our New York family, specifically Jenna. She found it at one of the international mini marts in her neighborhood and presented this great find to me while we were visiting the Big Apple a few weeks ago.

Earl Grey is the tea in Milk Tea bar. We paired with a cup of Earl Gray

Milk Tea Kit Kat is a Japanese candy bar.  Digging a little deeper into its backstory, I found that, according to an article in Dear Japanese (Milk Tea Kit Kat, January, 2023), Milk Tea is one of the most popular drinks in Japan. It's a mix of tea, sugar and milk and is enjoyed hot or cold.  Based on the consumption numbers of milk tea, Nestle Japan began to experiment with bringing such flavors to a Kit Kat bar.

So, loving tea and chocolate, and taking direction from its fanciful package, I was anxious to try this sugary snack with a tiny tea party of my own.

We learned the tea used in the Milk Tea Kit Kat is an Earl Grey variety, so we paired accordingly, brewing up a pot of Palais des Thes', The des Lords (the same tea we enjoyed this month at The Plaza's afternoon tea).

After a sampling of this special Kit Kat, I can tell you, it tastes pretty much like a traditional Kit Kat with milk chocolate being replaced with white chocolate.  Full disclosure:  my favorite chocolate is dark, then milk, then white. But, I still found it tasty. And, it paired beautifully with my Palais des Thes Earl Grey.

Milk Tea Kit Kat come in miniature size in a variety of colorful packages.

This is to be a limited-edition Kit Kat, but that fact was cited back in January of this year. Perhaps it will have more staying power. 

I love the size and the candy bar's adorable multi-colored wrappers. This would serve as a delightful afternoon tea table favor for tiny tots (or any age, really😉).

Chocolate, tea and an invitation to have a tea party - what's not to like about a candy that brings that all together!

If you don't have an international market nearby, the Milk Tea Kit Kat (and other varieties) are available on Amazon.

See our latest BTS YouTube video on Kit Kat Milk Tea: 

Milk Tea Kit Kat - YouTube

Downton Abbey-inspired Afternoon Tea: Barb's Tea Service presents at Pomeroy Living!

Barb and Pam of BTS at Rochester Pomeroy's "Downton Abbey"

 

This week, Barb's Tea Service presented a Downton Abbey-inspired tea talk at Rochester Pomeroy Independent Living and we were so impressed with the Activities team and guests that we can't wait to go back!

Julie T., Activities Director, & team, set up an amazing DA tearoom

We were amazed with all that Activity Director, Julie T., and her team, Julia and Sharlotte, put into this fun and fancy event. They transformed their bistro, near the community dining room, into an elegant tearoom where tables were covered with gold and crimson tablecloths and set with matching linen napkins, gold chargers, white dishes, bronze candelabras and assorted colorful fine china teacups.  All the tables and all their refined accoutrements were accompanied by a courtly staircase backdrop - all of which were worthy of the stately home of Lord and Lady Crawley, Downton Abbey.

Julie and her team dressed in period costumes and encouraged guests to do the same. Many came with fanciful hats or colorful fascinators. Even some of the gents, like our dear friend, Keith, came dressed like aristocrats, donning ties and sporty attire. (and a shout out to Keith for his support and promotion!)

A special thanks to Keith H. for all his support

Guests were treated to tea and warm scones just as the presentation was ready to start.

The enthusiasm and energy of the Activities team was matched by the guests who attended. Many of the latter group shared their own stories of visiting England and many asked questions about the country estates and the royal connections.  They were an engaged and outgoing group of folks to be sure.

BTS book winner, Lorraine.

We gave away one of our BTS books, Twelve Etiquette Essentials, Dining and Afternoon Tea.  Lorraine B. was the winner and we chatted after the program about many of our shared interests. ☺

BTS had such a great time. We are looking forward to sharing tea time again at Pomeroy with all its great staff and residents!

Afternoon Tea at The Plaza: A perfect way to celebrate Afternoon Tea Week in NYC

Afternoon tea at the Palm Court in NYC's The Plaza

Last week, we celebrated Afternoon Tea Week in a grand fashion - inside New York's luxury hotel, The Plaza.

As noted in TeaTime Magazine this month, Afternoon Tea Week (August 7 - 13), has been celebrated in England for almost a decade. Per the holiday founder, Keith Newton, creator of an on-line tea guide afternoontea.co.uk, the purpose is to promote afternoon tea in all its forms, be it a simple cream tea at home or "an afternoon tea at a posh hotel."  We chose the latter, swapping London for New York, and with heavy emphasis on "posh".

Visitors are greeted with gleaming chandeliers and formidable marble columns

Timing was perfect for a teatime celebration. Last week, my husband, Chris, and I were visiting our son, Matt, and his girlfriend, Jenna, who reside in Brooklyn.  Although we've been to New York several times, and always take time for tea, The Plaza was still on my "to do list".  Knowing this, Jenna secured reservations for a 1:00 pm sitting last Friday, right in the middle of Afternoon Tea Week. 

The Plaza is located on 5th Avenue

Once inside, a serene oasis

The Palm Court, inside The Plaza, is where tea, scones and savories are served with flair and elegance. The Plaza, located on bustlingly upscale 5th Avenue and bordering Central Park, is a serene oasis in the heart of Manhattan. Once inside the front doors, visitors are greeted by formidable marble columns and glittering crystal chandeliers. A few more steps from the lobby to the Palm Court, tables are set with starched linen napkins, white teacups with green borders and silver condiment dishes filled with cream, jam and lemon curd - all under a canopy of pastel patterned stained glass.

Elegant afternoon tea in The Palm Court, chandeliers, marble columns under a canopy of stained glass

The tea menu offers several choices from the Grand Imperial Tea (which includes caviar service) to the whimsical Eloise children's tea (complete with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches). Our party chose the Central Park Tea, which came with the traditional Afternoon tea offerings of scones, sweets and tea sandwiches. Beautiful and delicious, the menu items were served on circular three-tiered silver trays. 

Barb and Jenna at The Palm Court. . . 

. . .along with Matt and Chris

The tea is expertly steeped and served. Loose leaf teas come from a BTS favorite, Palais des Thes and our group ordered Big Ben (an English Breakfast blend) and, the quintessential afternoon tea, Earl Grey, specifically, The de Lords.

Expertly brewed tea served hot and tasty.

The Plaza and its elegant tearoom opened their doors in 1907.  From its beginnings, the hotel was known for its opulence and, spanning decades, a favorite place to stay for many of the rich and famous including Frank Lloyd Wright, the Beatles and the fictional Eloise.

Afternoon tea includes warm scones, tea sandwiches and sweets

The Palm Court is a wonderful way to spend Afternoon Tea Week, although, we're certain any teatime at the Plaza is a celebration in itself. 

To see our "live" video of our Afternoon Tea experience at The Plaza, see our youtube channel short:  Barb's Tea Service - YouTube