Prepare for a ‘tea’-rrific time

The Alii tea being prepared

Unwind with some afternoon tea at The Veranda at The Kahala Hotel & Resort. Its popular Classic Afternoon Tea ($65) features pure teas, as well as exclusive blends made from local ingredients. Also included are savory sandwiches and sweet treats created by executive chef Jonathan Mizukami.

Patrons can choose from a selection of nine white, green and black teas, and three herbal teas. Popular choices include Lilikoi Cacao, Alii and Pure Mamaki. Jason Waterlow, director of food and beverage, shares that the Lilikoi Cacao seeds are actually roasted in its shells, and the inner nibs are used to make chocolate.

“Sustainably repurposed cacao shells deliver a luxurious chocolate aroma in this tea, complemented by tangy, sweet passion fruit,” he notes.

Assorted sandwiches are part of The Kahala’s tea service ($65 per person)

The tea service sandwich offerings include Hawaii Smoked Fish Baguette, Deviled Eggs and more, while its sweet treats boast the likes of scones and crepes.

Waterlow shares that the resort strives to add tropi cal and Hawaiian touches to global and traditional ideas by using local flavors and ingredients. An example of this is the eatery’s take on a classic lemon curd, replacing lemon with lilikoi.

Tea service is available on Fridays and Saturdays with bookings from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Guests must book in advance and prepay via OpenTable.

Something that folks can look forward to is the return of the resort’s Teddy Bear Tea event, during which guests can donate a teddy bear to a local children’s cause.

“We have some more Teddy Bear Teas planned for later in the year and hope that we have added to the annual legacy of events to be enjoyed for generations to come,” Waterlow concludes.