High Tea in Malaysia and why it still exists in society today.

Malaysia has come a long way from the colonial times. If it wasn’t for the architecture around the city, you would have forgotten about the past completely. In some ways the government would like history to be erased on other matters, this is one of the ways that the British influence have stayed. 

Malaysia’s trendy culture of having High Tea 

Back in the Old Days, the British had an extremely strong influence on the cultures of Malaysia. Stronger than the culture of each and every race within the country itself. The elusiveness of being white brought people to believe that they were better. High Teas were the epitome of the Eurasian societies and the talk about town. Previously High Teas would be referred to as Afternoon Tea. Taken from 3pm - 5pm or what was known as the evenings. 

Tea began in British society in the 1800s. It began with the Duchess wanting to relieve her feelings of fatigues in a time when people ate only twice a day. In the morning and at night. The Duchess started a thing where snacks and finger food and little bites were served and from there she called all her friends to join in . This is then known as Afternoon Tea or low Tea. Over time, the trend of having tea became a culture in the British elite society and through the years of colonisation came across to Malaysia as well. 

Today you are able to see women and men on every Sunday gathering at Hotels. Mostly of the middle class and enjoying a good afternoon with friends. The most authentic of these experiences being at The Majestic Hotel with their British Colonial architecture and a specific tea lounge. 

Sunday’s afternoon teas or what is perceived much widely as “high tea” is a great time for many working adults to remove themselves from the realities of life and to feel like a character. The lack of entertainment and identity in Malaysia disallows people to find a niche for them to submerge into other than their work. These Sundays at the Majestic Hotel are always booked with reservations lasting into 4 weeks before a slow would open up. 

The experience of escape is refreshing and so many people would love to be given the chance to play in roles. The Majestic Hotel would need you to dress properly before showing up. Collars, Ties, Dress Shoes. A space that would allow you to dress up and be different for a short while. 

The high tea culture is here to stay. And as the trend grows and evolve we see people   opening up their homes and houses to accomodate to the budding culture. Plateculture is a community that invites you to dine in real homes and eat authentic food.  

Sarah and Punitha had put up their home on to Plate Culture and the reason being is because Punitha(right)  enjoys cooking. She cooks in batches and food would always be in the fridge and her neighbours and friends have become close to each other because they’d pop into her house from across the street just to grab some tea, and the gossiping and the laughter would last till the night when they would also have dinner at her house before retiring to their homes for bed. 

With the social enigma and light playful attitudes taken to food, High Tea is highly commended in Malaysian society,  with its delicious comforts of pies, tarts and sandwiches, even if by economy we see tea leaves taking a drop.