Every March and April in Washington DC over four weekends, the annual Cherry Blossom Festival is held to celebrate the blooming of the cherry blossoms along the Jefferson Memorial and the Washington Mall. These trees were a gift from Tokyo Mayor Yukio Ozaki in 1912 to honor the ever-growing friendship between the United States and Japan. Millions of people visit every year to see the 3,000 cherry trees in full bloom and revel in its beauty.

If you are a fan of cherry blossoms, the festival doesn’t have to end. Celebrate cherry blossom season your own way with an afternoon tea! Start with a blue bone china teapot, adorned with beautiful cherry blossoms. Add a set of matching cups and saucers tor a set of cherry blossom can mugs to go with it. Set some dessert plates down and you will have a complete cherry blossom tea set. Decorate the table according to your style with blue or pink napkins and tablecloth (bonus if you are able to find a cherry blossom tablecloth).

Food and drink are key, of course. The star of the party is always tea! Try our Sencha Kyoto Cherry Rose Festival Green Tea, one of our most popular teas. This mellow green tea is blended with cherry and rose flavors, adding an exotic flavor. It can be enjoyed both hot or iced. For those who prefer caffeine free, there’s Ahmad Tea’s Rosehip, Cherry, and Hibiscus tea. This sweet tea has an earthy wine-like flavor due to the flowers and cherry. You can also add some Wildflower Blossom honey sticks for anyone who likes honey with their tea (green tea with honey is heavenly). Just slightly spicy but deliciously sweet. If you don’t fancy honey in your tea, then these honey sticks make a perfect snack for when you have a craving for sweet!

To suit the them of cherry blossoms, some cherry bakewells would really hit the spot. Mr. Kipling is a British cake company and we are fortunate enough to have these cherry bakewells in our shop! Delicious pastry with almond cake and cherry-plum jam topped with icing and a glace cherry. If there are scones or toast, enjoy with some Bonne Maman Mini Cherry Preserves. Since they are mini jars, place one by your guests’ teacup, where they would be seated. These are all perfect treats to go with your cherry blossom theme or for any time!

So if you can’t make it to the cherry blossom festival, hold one of your own! It’s easy, fun, and beautiful to look at. Everyone is sure to have a good time!

-CD