MAXINE GORDON gets in the mood for a “healthy” afternoon tea.

WHAT’S healthy about afternoon tea, you might ask? Sarnies, cream scones and a plate of mini-cakes and puds are surely the sworn enemy of the food police.

Which is why I was intrigued to try this traditional treat with a difference at the Black Swan in Helmsley – the “healthy afternoon tea”.

Unusually, the Black Swan tearoom offers a gluten-free option for afternoon tea. Also, it boasts a range of bespoke teas designed to boost mood and general wellbeing.

For our culinary investigation, we ordered two afternoon teas: one “normal”, the second gluten-free. It was hard to the difference when they arrived, a good start.

The sarnies, crusts off, were generously filled with egg and cress, smoked salmon and cucumber, brie and tomato and ham with cream cheese and chive. It was difficult to pick between them, the gluten-free bread slightly flimsier than its rival.

The cakes were on a par. The GF option featured a devilish brownie that was sinfully chocolatey and gooey; the GF carrot cake muffin, without frosting, was the (almost) guilt-free choice. Both selections contained a delicious blackcurrant macaron and a shot-glass of creamy, zingy lemon posset.

The only real competition fell to the scones. Those without glutet were smaller, paler and denser, but once laden with butter, clotted cream and strawberry conserve, they were very tasty.

The Black Swan offers the usual tearoom roll call of teas, coffees and hot chocolate. The signature tea menu features 20 varieties which claim to give a healthy spin to afternoon tea .

Two years ago, the Black Swan launched its Cygnet tea range, many with mood-enhancing ingredients. For example, the green tea with apple, mint and chilli, is said to be “bold, energising, courageous and will boost your senses” while the gin and tonic tea is full of botanicals designed to “nourish your body, while cleansing and detoxifying your system”.

The latest addition is White matcha tea, described as an "anti-oxidant powerhouse" on account of its nutritional benefits.

This pure, whole leaf organic tea, contains up to three times the amount of health-giving polyphenols than its closest rival, Japanese green tea, along with a high level of another type of anti-oxidant, known as catechins. They help remove free-radicals in the body’s fight against disease. In addition, explains tearoom manager Alison Souter, the tea is high in protein and contains as much dietary fibre as a bran breakfast cereal.

She added: "We can’t promise that this miracle tea will make up for the naughty-but-nice goodies in our traditional afternoon tea, but we’ve had great feedback from our customers."

The tea has a light and clean taste – more subtle than green tea – and offers the perfect antidote to the richness of the scones, cakes and sarnies.

And it's good for you, too.

  • White matcha tea is available at The Black Swan tearooms for £4.95 per pot, or as part of a traditional Afternoon Tea at £19.95 per person. For bookings, phone 01439 770466
     
  • The Black Swan also offers a range of gift vouchers, including ones for Afternoon Tea, that would make an ideal Christmas gift. Vouchers can be bought over the phone or online at blackswan-helmsley.co.uk/shop.