Afternoon tea and treats.[Photo provided to China Daily]

Romance of lavender

A special lavender-themed afternoon tea reflects the headiest fragrance of summer in the lobby lounge of the Ritz-Carlton Tianjin. The top two tiers of the tea stand feature dainty pastries, with delicate sandwiches on the third level. The chef has specially prepared a selection of sweet and savory appetizers and French desserts with vitamin-rich fruits for early summer, such as blueberries and blackcurrant, to bring out the tea's rich aroma. The teas paired with pastries are sourced from TWG Tea, known for their refreshing fragrance and richness. Freshly baked scones with three selections of jams and clotted cream are an integral part of tea time.

Pastry champion's touch

World pastry champion Franck Michel of France channels the freshness of tropical fruits into a summer afternoon tea set exclusively for Cafe 103 at the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong.

He fills a soft and airy choux pastry shell with silky-smooth vanilla cream and tropical fruit compote, a blend of the sweetness of pineapple, mango, banana and lime; the choux is then garnished with mango and passion-fruit coulis on top for a nice play of textures. His Hemera Frame is beautifully layered with buttery shortbread, moist almond lemon dacquoise, lemon confit, strawberry coulis, and a generous spread of white chocolate mousse and olive oil jelly. The eye-popping Sawayaka Verrine, a delicate dessert glass of raspberry and melon soup is topped with a Grand Marnier-infused parfait in a chocolate dome shell for a tangy finish of bittersweet orange.