Hello, darlings!

Mrs Simkins and I have joined together in “matrimony” – Ha, ha, got you there! Of course, I meant to say the beauteous Meghan (real name: Rachel!) and dashing Harry (real name: Henry!) exchanged vows on Saturday 19th May 2018 and became the Duke and Duchess of Sussex – curtesy, please! Indeed, I wish them every happiness in their covenant of LOVE.

Moving onto my spiffing collaboration with Mrs Simkins. You see, to complement her scrumptious Lemon and Elderflower Butterfly Cakes, which tastefully mirror the married couple’s glorious wedding cake of lemon and elderflower sponge decorated with Swiss meringue. I sourced an extra special tea created by Fortnum and Mason of London – The Wedding Bouquet Blend – which commemorates the marriage of Miss Windsor’s royal counterparts.

At first glance, this rather appealing blend of tea that looks awfully like “potpourri”; not at all like a wedding “bouquet” as it states on the tin, quite astoundingly smells like a packet of Rowntree’s Polos! And although it comprises of an abundance of ingredients: green jasmine tea, rose petals, blue cornflower petals, that darn peppermint sadly overrides the lot!

Of course, and it goes without saying, I prepared this creative concoction using my prized Brown Betty teapot. I dare say, Brown Betty really enjoyed being part of the gaiety and revelled in the experience of brewing a royal blend in her magnificent trunk! 

Now, I know you’re dying to find out about the taste, and, if Miss Windsor deems it an appropriate choice of tea for “tying the knot”, so to speak! Well, once brewed for approximately 2-3 minutes one poured oneself a generous cup. It looked slightly yellowy/beige in colour, which I thought would work perfectly well with Mrs Simkins’s fluttery Lemon and Elderflower Butterfly Cakes – visually a great match.  

As I gently took a sip I noted how extremely smooth it was delivered, and settled upon one’s refined palate with such ease and grace – one wouldn’t expect anything less from London’s finest, Fortnum and Mason. I was then greeted by an explosion of flavours – it was quite a thrill!

First off, I was mesmerised by the mellow yet tangy taste of the green jasmine tea, which I presumed would be accompanied by a touch of English rose – unfortunately, that didn’t quite occur! Therefore, I do wonder if the addition of rose petals, just like the blue cornflower type were merely for decorative purposes? If so they certainly added charm to an English country garden version of potpourri, or according to Fortnum and Mason – a wedding bouquet.

I must say, for a scanty while my taste buds swarmed with sheer delight, until smack, bang, wallop, I was hit by an intensely refreshing dose of peppermint! Although it was pleasingly vibrant; this particular ingredient was somewhat overwhelming, and with great annoyance lingered in one’s throat – rather like the sensation of “toothpaste”!  

​Darlings, I believe this tea is of an acquired taste, and to be frank, it struggled to get me in the mood for wedding bells. However, saying that, I believe it’s the ultimate tonic to be quaffed before you walk down the aisle in preparation for your wedding kiss, as it will freshen one’s breath and clear one’s nose – the incredible power of dual-action.

I do hope you royally enjoyed my “tea-tastic” review of The Wedding Bouquet Blend Tea!

Miss Windsor x

Mrs Simkins delightful response to my review:

“My dear, I have finally found a moment to try the wedding tea you so kindly sent me. It’s odd, but possibly the other way round from you, although I thought it looked so pretty, I was expecting not to actually like it very much! But I did! In fact I loved it!

As you know, I’m not a great one for herbal and flower teas, but I do quite like mint tea, and one of my favourite teas of all time is Lady Grey blend from Northern Teas, a gorgeous Earl Grey with blue cornflowers. 

Anyway, I brewed the wedding tea in my 2 cup Cornishware blue betty – just the right size, I thought – using 3 heaped teaspoons and boiling water to the top. I waited 3 minutes and poured. I debated using a tea strainer but decided against it, the leaves fall to the bottom anyway leaving the tea clear. I took some fresh dry rose petals and cornflower florets from the jar and floated them on top. I love the way the cornflowers open out in the hot liquid: it’s the same with the Lady Grey blend.

I let it cool for a while and took a sip. My dear, I know exactly what you mean: but I found it mellow and refreshing, I liked the mint tempered with the Green Jasmine and I loved the floating petals. My pot ran to 2½ dainty tea cups and I drank it all!

It’s fascinating isn’t it? How different all our palates are? And how our preconceived expectations as to whether we will like something or not are constantly being challenged!

Really, my dear, if you aren’t keen, send it over to me, I’ll have it! Bless you and thank you again”.

Mrs Simkins X

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