One of the quintessential things visitors must experience at the Fairmont Empress is afternoon tea. Tea at the Empress offers guests the choice of 21 loose leaf teas, as well as a beautiful selection of pastries, scones, and sandwiches – all crafted in house. The warm raisin scone is a popular item and the exact recipe is closely guarded secret, and has not been changed in decades. Served warm with clotted cream and house made strawberry lavender jam, warm raisin scones are an integral component of afternoon tea at this historic hotel. Afternoon tea has been served since the day the hotel opened on January 20, 1908.