English English Afternoon Tea Afternoon Tea

PartyParty

"Tea is much more than a mere drink in "Tea is much more than a mere drink in Britain.  It is a solace, a mystique, an art, Britain.  It is a solace, a mystique, an art, a way of life, almost a religion.  It is more a way of life, almost a religion.  It is more deeply traditional than the roast beef of deeply traditional than the roast beef of old England....This khaki-colored old England....This khaki-colored concoction, brewed through an accident concoction, brewed through an accident of history from an exotic plant grown of history from an exotic plant grown thousands of miles from fog, cricket and thousands of miles from fog, cricket and left-handed driving, has become the life-left-handed driving, has become the life-blood of the nation.„blood of the nation.„

- Cecil Porter of Gemini News Service- Cecil Porter of Gemini News Service

'Afternoon Tea' did not exist before the 19th 'Afternoon Tea' did not exist before the 19th century.  At that time lunch was eaten quite century.  At that time lunch was eaten quite early in the day and dinner wasn't served until 8 early in the day and dinner wasn't served until 8 or 9 o'clock at night.  But it wasn't until Anna, or 9 o'clock at night.  But it wasn't until Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, asked for tea the seventh Duchess of Bedford, asked for tea and light refreshments in her room one and light refreshments in her room one afternoon, around 1830, that the ritual began.  afternoon, around 1830, that the ritual began.  The Duchess enjoyed her 'taking of tea' so much The Duchess enjoyed her 'taking of tea' so much that she started inviting her friends to join her.  that she started inviting her friends to join her.  Before long having elegant tea parties was very Before long having elegant tea parties was very fashionable.   Demand for tea wares grew and fashionable.   Demand for tea wares grew and soon there were tea services in silver and fine soon there were tea services in silver and fine bone china, trays, cake stands, servers, tea bone china, trays, cake stands, servers, tea caddies, tea strainers, teapots, and tea tables. caddies, tea strainers, teapots, and tea tables. 

Tea EtiquetteTea Etiquette

In order for one not to spill the In order for one not to spill the hot liquid onto oneself, the proper hot liquid onto oneself, the proper way to hold the vessel of a cup way to hold the vessel of a cup with no handle is to place one’s with no handle is to place one’s thumb at the six o'clock position thumb at the six o'clock position and one’s index and middle and one’s index and middle fingers at the twelve o'clock fingers at the twelve o'clock position, while gently raising position, while gently raising one’s pinkie up for balanceone’s pinkie up for balance. . 

Tea cups with a handle are held by Tea cups with a handle are held by placing one’s fingers to the front and placing one’s fingers to the front and back of the handle with one’s pinkie back of the handle with one’s pinkie up again allows balance. Pinkie up up again allows balance. Pinkie up does mean straight up in the air, but does mean straight up in the air, but slightly tilted. It is not an affectation, slightly tilted. It is not an affectation, but a graceful way to avoid spills. but a graceful way to avoid spills. Never loop your fingers through the Never loop your fingers through the handle, nor grasp the vessel bowl with handle, nor grasp the vessel bowl with the palm of your hand. the palm of your hand.

Do not stir your tea, with your tea spoon, in Do not stir your tea, with your tea spoon, in sweeping circular motions. Place your tea sweeping circular motions. Place your tea spoon at the six o'clock position and softly spoon at the six o'clock position and softly fold the liquid towards the twelve o'clock fold the liquid towards the twelve o'clock position two or three times. Never leave position two or three times. Never leave your tea spoon in your tea cup. When not your tea spoon in your tea cup. When not in use, place your tea spoon on the right in use, place your tea spoon on the right side of the tea saucer. Never wave or hold side of the tea saucer. Never wave or hold your tea cup in the air. When not in use, your tea cup in the air. When not in use, place the tea cup back in the tea saucer. If place the tea cup back in the tea saucer. If you are at a buffet tea hold the tea saucer you are at a buffet tea hold the tea saucer in your lap with your left hand and hold the in your lap with your left hand and hold the tea cup in your right hand. When not in tea cup in your right hand. When not in use, place the tea cup back in the tea use, place the tea cup back in the tea saucer and hold in your lap.  The only time saucer and hold in your lap.  The only time a saucer is raised together with the teacup a saucer is raised together with the teacup is when one is at a standing reception. is when one is at a standing reception.

Milk is served with tea, not cream. Cream Milk is served with tea, not cream. Cream is too heavy and masks the taste of the is too heavy and masks the taste of the tea. Although some pour their milk in the tea. Although some pour their milk in the cup first, it is probably better to pour the cup first, it is probably better to pour the milk in the tea after it is in the cup in milk in the tea after it is in the cup in order to get the correct amount. order to get the correct amount.

When serving lemon with tea, lemon slices When serving lemon with tea, lemon slices are preferable, not wedges. Either provide are preferable, not wedges. Either provide a small fork or lemon fork for your guests, a small fork or lemon fork for your guests, or have the tea server can neatly place a or have the tea server can neatly place a slice in the tea  cup after the tea has been slice in the tea  cup after the tea has been poured. Be sure never to add lemon with poured. Be sure never to add lemon with milk since the lemon's citric acid will milk since the lemon's citric acid will cause the proteins in the milk to curdle. cause the proteins in the milk to curdle.

Sample invitation Sample invitation

InvitationInvitation

You are cordially invited to an English

Afternoon Tea Party.

Jennifer Cruz

On , May , 2012

from p.m to p.m

39 Obozowa in the school gym

Oświęcim, Poland

Contact number to

Ania 555-33-11

MenuMenu

Lemon CurdLemon Curd Lemon curd is a British teatime favorite. This sweet, yet tart, Lemon curd is a British teatime favorite. This sweet, yet tart,

velvetyvelvety

spread is heavenly on freshly baked scones, muffins, and tea spread is heavenly on freshly baked scones, muffins, and tea breads.breads.

Another favorite is serving lemon curd on gingerbread or used asAnother favorite is serving lemon curd on gingerbread or used as

a filling for tarts and cakes. Lemon curd can add a special touch toa filling for tarts and cakes. Lemon curd can add a special touch to

your favorite desserts and tea time goodies. Lemon curd is so easyyour favorite desserts and tea time goodies. Lemon curd is so easy

to-make as all it contains is eggs, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, to-make as all it contains is eggs, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, andand

butter. I usually use the stove-top method, but the microwavebutter. I usually use the stove-top method, but the microwave

method also works great. method also works great.

Devonshire CreamDevonshire Cream

Originally from Devonshire County, England, it is a Originally from Devonshire County, England, it is a thick, butterythick, buttery

cream often used as a topping for desserts. It is still a cream often used as a topping for desserts. It is still a specialty ofspecialty of

Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset, as this is where the Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset, as this is where the right breed ofright breed of

cattle are raised with a high enough cream content to cattle are raised with a high enough cream content to produceproduce

clotted cream. It is also known as clotted cream. It is also known as Devon Devon creamcream and  and clotted creamclotted cream..

Clotted cream has a consistency similar to soft butter.Clotted cream has a consistency similar to soft butter.

Fresh Strawberries Dipped in ChocolFresh Strawberries Dipped in Chocolateate

Chocolate strawberries are beautiful to look at andChocolate strawberries are beautiful to look at and

wonderful to eat! Try servingwonderful to eat! Try serving

chocolate strawberries with champagne or yourchocolate strawberries with champagne or your

favorite red wine. favorite red wine.

Putting on the Ritz Egg Salad Putting on the Ritz Egg Salad Sandwich Sandwich

English Trifle English Trifle What is an English trifle? It is a cake well soakedWhat is an English trifle? It is a cake well soaked

with sherry and served with a boiled custardwith sherry and served with a boiled custard

poured over it. This cake is also known as  "Tipsypoured over it. This cake is also known as  "Tipsy

Pudding." George Washington is said to havePudding." George Washington is said to have

preferred trifle over all other desserts.preferred trifle over all other desserts.

If you don't have a true trifle bowl, use anyIf you don't have a true trifle bowl, use any

straight-sided round glass bowl (the layers lookstraight-sided round glass bowl (the layers look

beautiful from the sides of a glass bowl. Thisbeautiful from the sides of a glass bowl. This

wonderful English Trifle is served at High Tea.wonderful English Trifle is served at High Tea.

High Tea Lemon Cookies High Tea Lemon Cookies

Perfect Lemon Bars Perfect Lemon Bars

Orange Poppy Seed Bread  Orange Poppy Seed Bread 

This is excellent served at an afternoon tea This is excellent served at an afternoon tea oror

anytime you want it.anytime you want it.

Wonderful Scones  Wonderful Scones 

Scones are best served warm and fresh, Scones are best served warm and fresh, split open,split open,

and topped with either lemon curd or thickand topped with either lemon curd or thick

homemade jam and clotted cream homemade jam and clotted cream (Devonshire(Devonshire

cream or creme fraiche). cream or creme fraiche).

The legend of the birth of The legend of the birth of teatea

Over 5000 years ago in approximately 2500 B.C. On a Over 5000 years ago in approximately 2500 B.C. On a beautiful afternoon The Chinese Emperor, Shen Nung beautiful afternoon The Chinese Emperor, Shen Nung sat in his palace garden sipping a cup of hot water as sat in his palace garden sipping a cup of hot water as was his custom. Suddenly a sharp gust of wind was his custom. Suddenly a sharp gust of wind appeared and blew some bright green leaves from a appeared and blew some bright green leaves from a lovely tree close by. Those leaves floated down and lovely tree close by. Those leaves floated down and landed in the emperors cup of hot water. As the landed in the emperors cup of hot water. As the Emperor brought the cup to his lips, he noticed a Emperor brought the cup to his lips, he noticed a pleasant fragrance and took a sip of the hot water. He pleasant fragrance and took a sip of the hot water. He was delighted with the delicate fragrance and called was delighted with the delicate fragrance and called his servants to gather more of the bright green leaves his servants to gather more of the bright green leaves so he could continue drinking this delectable liquid so he could continue drinking this delectable liquid from that time on. As legend has it,this was the birth from that time on. As legend has it,this was the birth of tea. Time continued and Tea became the favored of tea. Time continued and Tea became the favored drink of emperors and commoners alike.drink of emperors and commoners alike.

AAnecdotes about teanecdotes about tea

Archduchess Northumberland - teacher of Archduchess Northumberland - teacher of the future Queen - thought that the young the future Queen - thought that the young successor to the throne, not to drink tea successor to the throne, not to drink tea and read the "Times". Items Desired and read the "Times". Items Desired prohibited both ward. Apparently, prohibited both ward. Apparently, immediately after the coronation of June immediately after the coronation of June 28, 1837 year, Victoria has requested a cup 28, 1837 year, Victoria has requested a cup of tea and the latest issue of the "Times". of tea and the latest issue of the "Times". When you met her orders, with a smile When you met her orders, with a smile said: "This is finally proof that actually said: "This is finally proof that actually prevail."prevail."

Start of afternoon teaStart of afternoon tea Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford is often credited with Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford is often credited with

the invention of the tradition of afternoon tea in the the invention of the tradition of afternoon tea in the early 1840's. Traditionally dinner was not served until early 1840's. Traditionally dinner was not served until 8:30 or 9:00 in the evening and the Duchess often 8:30 or 9:00 in the evening and the Duchess often became hungry, especially in the summer when dinner became hungry, especially in the summer when dinner was served even later. She ordered a small meal of was served even later. She ordered a small meal of bread, butter, and other niceties, such as cakes, tarts, bread, butter, and other niceties, such as cakes, tarts, and biscuits, to be brought secretly to her boudoir. and biscuits, to be brought secretly to her boudoir. When she was exposed she was not ridiculed, as she had When she was exposed she was not ridiculed, as she had feared, but her habit caught on and the concept of a feared, but her habit caught on and the concept of a small meal, of niceties and perhaps tea, became popular small meal, of niceties and perhaps tea, became popular and eventually known as "afternoon tea" . Obviously the and eventually known as "afternoon tea" . Obviously the origins of the well known British tradition of afternoon origins of the well known British tradition of afternoon tea cannot be credited to only one woman, but evolved tea cannot be credited to only one woman, but evolved over a period of time, as many cultural customs do.over a period of time, as many cultural customs do.