The most expensive cuppa in Manchester

The Kitchen at the Circle restaurant is launching a new tea menu that includes the most expensive cuppa in the city.

The tea is farmed at a secret estate in Ceylon. According to ancient tradition, only women can pick it, using gloves and golden scissors to ensure that the bud isn't tainted.

The menu features more than 30 fine teas, including the rare Mariage Freres’ Sacred White tea at £25 for a pot for two. The tea is farmed at a secret estate in Ceylon. According to ancient tradition, only virgin women can pick it, using gloves and golden scissors to ensure that the bud isn't tainted. Low in theine it contains more antioxidants than any green tea and is reported to taste 'sublime'.

Another option is the fragrant Malawi Antlers tea – the Kitchen is only the second place to sell this blend, the other being Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck. Made using the ‘antlers’ from the shoot, rather than the leaf, it is a white tea with soft lychee and apricot aromas, giving a wonderful sweetness. This one's more sensibly priced at £4.50 a pot.

Managing director of Circle, Craig Ince, said, “We love our tea here at the Kitchen so we wanted to really go for it and have a tea menu that you won’t be able to get anywhere else in the city.”

Tea drinkers will also be able to sip brews from Taylors of Harrogate, Tea Pigs and the Rare Tea Company, with prices starting from just £2.25.

To accompany, there'll be a selection of hand-made delicacies prepared daily by head chef Emma Saville and her team of pastry chefs. Traditional scones, pastries, breads, cupcakes and more adventurous Whoopee Pies and Chocolate Factory will be served throughout the day.

A full afternoon tea is available and Kitchen at the Circle will also cater for tea parties – the new clean-living alternative to a boozy lunch. With its rough luxe interior, the Kitchen seems an ideal location for an afternoon tea – leather Chesterfields, porter chairs and chic tea tables. Or for a period atmosphere, claim one of their tables within the sunlit atrium of the Barton Arcade.

For further information and to view the new tea menu at Kitchen at the Circle, go to www.thecircleclub.com, call 0161 817 4921 or email kitchen@thecircleclub.com.