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If you’ve ever been to Petersham Nurseries, either the original shop and restaurant in Richmond or the newer offshoot in Covent Garden, you’ll be in no doubt about the brand’s love of nature, thanks to its plant-filled glasshouses, lush flower displays and giftshop filled with goodies for green-fingered Londoners. But this year, Petersham is going even further, partnering up with rainforest charity Cool Earth to create an environmentally conscious afternoon tea.
Available at its Covent Garden branch from January 9 until March 29, the tea is a collaboration that aims to raise money to help halt deforestation and empower rainforest communities working to lessen the detrimental impact of climate change.
Using locally and ethically sourced ingredients (of course), the afternoon tea offers sugar-seekers treats such as Peruvian chocolate and coffee bean macarons, classic battenberg cake and indulgent victoria sponge filled with seasonal jam and decorated with garden flowers.
Photograph: Petersham Nurseries
The savoury bites sound just as delicious, featuring a squash and chilli quiche, cauliflower pani puri (crispy balls of wheat with a vegetable centre) and beetroot, buckwheat and walnut crostata.
To finish it off – if your jeans aren’t already whimpering for mercy – there’s a selection of miniature rhubarb and custard tartlets with a seasonal bellini or non-alcoholic cocktail.
Feeling good about your contribution to the planet has never tasted so good.
The Cool Earth Afternoon Tea is available at Petersham Nurseries in Covent Garden. £55 per person with a donation from each tea going to the Cool Earth charity. Available Thu Jan 9 until Mar 29. Find out more here.
In Covent Garden? Here’s what else to do in the area.
Got an appetite for British classics? Work your way through London’s best afternoon teas.
Had your fill of sweet stuff post-Christmas? Give back via one of the capital’s best charity shops instead.