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LONDON, England (CNN) --Afternoon tea, that quintessential English experience, may never be the same again.
One hotel in the British capital is pioneering the ancient art of tasseography or tealeaf reading to attract guests.
As enthusiastic guests down the dark brew, the tasseographer in residence at the Anthenaeum Hotel in Piccadilly can tell you whether your business trip is going to be profitable or whether your love life will flourish -- all from the leaves left in your cup.
"One of the reasons for appointing a tealeaf reader was to give our afternoon tea something different and an element of fun." Jonathan Critchard, General Manager of the hotel told CNN.
"I think many people have a view that a traditional English afternoon tea is a very formal affair but it doesn't have to be like that," he adds.
Afternoon tea is immensely popular in London's hotels with fierce competition for guests. The Anthanaeum thought that a tealeaf reading service, as well as classes would hit the spot.
"Tealeaf reading is as old as tea itself! It began in China and has spread throughout the world," Amber McCarroll, the resident tasseographer told CNN.
"I think it is especially popular in the UK as tea is such a part of our national psyche," she adds.
The hotel believes they are the first in the world to appoint a tasseographer.
Guests at the hotel enquire about their work and career, as well as love and travel, according to McCarroll -- who also works on the Astro-tea section of the British Tea Council Web site. "One has to adapt to the 21st Century after all," she says.
Although leaf tea works better, a tasseographer can also work their wonders with teabags.
By ripping a teabag open after you've finished and then swilling with a splash of leftover tea the tealeaf reader can still provide counsel.
"My advice can help business travelers stay balanced, grounded and in touch with their feelings and inner self. This can help them in carrying out their business more effectively," says Carroll.
