Naturally, with the world’s best teas coming from Asia, Indonesia also has strong traditional connections to the beverage. Although the word “java” became famous in the US to signify a cup of the best coffee beans from the island, tea was the favorite drink of the people.

There is the renowned teh poci of Cirebon, Tegal and other Central Java areas, with the brew served up in a clay teapot and small cups. There is always a sweetened or plain glass of golden jasmine tea to accompany a meal, in the time-honored Javanese tradition, as well as the rise of bottled flavored teas in recent years.

Today, there is a new cup on the table, with high tea packages becoming a popular afternoon past-time in the last few years in Jakarta. Many of the city’s top hotels now offer afternoon or high tea packages, with an assortment of the finest teas served with cakes, sandwiches and other pastries. Among them are the Mandarin Oriental,
Hotel Mulia Senayan, the Four Seasons Regent with an afternoon tea buffet in its lobby lounge, and also the Hotel Borobudur, which serves high tea in its new Pendopo Lounge.

It is actually a very English tradition. Although Japan has its famous tea ceremonies, the love of drinking tea is known as an English pastime. Visitors to English homes have traditionally heard the statement, “put the kettle on” as a cup of tea is brewed in their honor. Tea was conveniently supplied from the country’s colonies in India and
Sri Lanka.

There are different types of tea breaks in England, according to Wikipedia and other online sources, but probably the best known are “afternoon tea”, which most commonly referred to drinking tea in the afternoon, with or without a snack, and “high tea”. While high tea sounds very elite and sumptuous, in its original meaning it was a late afternoon meal for miners and other laborers to fill them up until dinner time.

Perhaps, it was high time for high tea to come to Jakarta along with the rise of the socialite life-style, with well-dressed ladies who lunch wanting something else to fill their time before their evening engagements,
or have a more sedate arisan (gathering).

It also has become a convenient way to beat late afternoon traffic jams, and to take a relaxing timeout from one’s busy schedule.

“It’s a way for me to spend time with my friends, to sit down and talk about what is happening in our lives, and also relax,” says one woman who frequently visits hotels for their high tea specials.

So the tradition has been adapted to Jakarta tastes. For example, the Mandarin Oriental offers two types of high tea buffets: its Classic High Tea, with fi nger sandwiches (including the oh-so English cucumber variety), scones and cakes, as well as an Oriental version, which also includes dim sum, dumplings and Indonesian cakes, such
as lapis legit.

For some, however, it’s still about the tea. “I enjoy having high tea because I really love tea,” says Shinta Yenniar, a communications executive. “I like to eat petit fours because they are just the right size to go with a cup of tea. And while I enjoy the company of being with friends, for me that is still secondary to relaxing with my tea.” — JP

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