“Afternoon Tea makes a comeback – a light, gossip-filled meal with dainty finger sandwiches, delicate cakes and scones topped with lashings of clotted cream is poised to take over brunch as the trendiest way to catch up with the girls, boys, family and friends” Alsoa very chic way of celebrating ones Hens Day.. Further details HERE:
The History Of “Afternoon Tea”
“…there are few hours more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea..” Henry James 1881 Portrait of a Lady.
Queen Elizabeth the First brought tea to England in the 1500s via the East India Trading Company. The marriage of Catherine de Braganza from Portugal to Charles II in 1663 helped to popularize tea consumption amongst the upper classes in England. By 1700, tea was served in over 500 coffeehouses and tea retail shops in London alone.
Tea arrived in Australia with the first fleet in 1788 & the first tea planted in Australia was at Bingil Bay Queensland after 4 brothers rowed a boat down the Tully river for more than 30 miles, to site what became the first home of Nerada Tea, still available today on your supermarket shelves!
In 1833 The British East India Company lost its prized monopoly in the China trade, most of it in green tea, by an act of the British prime minister Charles Grey & black tea from fledgling plantations in India & Ceylon started to arrive. The distinctive taste of Earl Grey Tea comes from the addition of the essential oil of bergamot citrus fruit. Its addition came from the old belief that it would quell any “improper impulses” that tea would otherwise encourage in young women.
OOOHHH Today I think we need less bergamont and more of what I wonder?? Ginseng I believe!!I recently discovered that the reason Older ladies kept lots of lavender products in their bedroom was due to its libido suppressing properties. I mentioned this in passing to my husband & have since discovered that all my lavender products have mysteriously disappeared!
There were traditionally two main meals served during the day, breakfast and the other, significantly larger meal was dinner. Whilst lighting was poor in the evening, people ate dinner early then retired to bed. During the 1800s however, gas or oil light was introduced to many homes which literally allowed people to “see the light” stay up later and, consequently, to eat later. Fashionable people of the upper classes ate their dinners as late as 9 PM.
Anna, the Duchess of Bedford (1788-1861) is credited as the creator of teatime. Because the evening meal had become so late, the Duchess suffered from “a sinking feeling” between 3 and 5 o’clock in the afternoon. At first the Duchess had her servants sneak her a pot of tea and a few breadstuffs but then she invited friends to join her for an additional meal at five. This practice of inviting friends for tea in the afternoon became a highly social occasion & was quickly picked up by other social hostesses of the upper classes.Tea was a distinct trapping of wealth, the only item customarily made in the drawing room by the mistress of the house & the tea caddy was locked and the key kept in her possession.
The menu centered around small cakes, bread and butter sandwiches with cucumber, egg and smoked salmon fillings, assorted sweets, and, of course, tea and was served on the low tables of the sitting & “withdrawing” rooms hence the name “low tea” .
So What was High Tea:?
A high tea was the evening meal supper as consumed by the working class having to return to the factory to continue working. No alcohol was served due to the worker having to return to the factory. Tea was served at supper. High tea is served in the late afternoon or early evening (5 PM to 7 PM), taking the place of dinner. Served at a “high” table with seated place settings. The foods are heartier and consist of salads, one or two hot dishes, pot pies, cold chicken, sliced meats, cakes, fruit tarts, custards, and fresh fruits. The tea may be served hot or iced. The addition of any supper dish would be appropriate.” )
So, the swishest of Tea’s is really traditionally Low Tea or Afternoon Tea!
High Tea indeed does sound rather fancy when saying “I will be taking in High Tea at the Waldorf-Astoria on my next visit to New York , I’ll admit, but even places like the Ritz, The Waldorf and the like all use the traditional terminology of Low Tea or Afternoon Tea now as well as advertising High Tea..
Would you like for The Lindy Charm School For Girls to Host your Hens or Afternoon Tea Party? Then email us today to find out how: lindycharmschool.com.au
What does one wear to Tea:
Whether you’re attending an afternoon tea party at a friends’ house or at one of your city’s sophisticated offerings, it’s standard fare to dress up (some of the afternoon tea spots even have strict dress codes on this front — so no denim, please). Try to reflect the ambience and style of the establishment you are attending.
Ladies: gloves, hats and matching accessories with tea length frocks always look nice;
Gentlemen: sports jacket, nice trousers and open neck shirt at the least, no polo shirts, shorts, runners or jeans…
5 Places Around the World I’d Like to partake in this Afternoon Tea Ceremony:
Singapore:
- Raffles Hotel’s Tiffin Room — Quintessentially English – It’s the iconic hotel and the iconic afternoon tea.
- House – dempseyhouse.com – This is a vintage buffet high tea where the cutlery’s mismatched and the plates slightly chipped.
New York:
- Lady Mendl’s Tea Salon (ladymendls.com)
London:
- The Ritz – https://theritzlondon.com/tea/
Melbourne:
- The Hotel Windsor – https://thehotelwindsor.com.au/diningandbar_7-en.html
10 Most Important Do’s and Don’t’s when attending Tea:
DO respond to an invitation promptly and advise of any special dietary requirements
Do be suitably & smartly attired
Do take a small, thoughtful gift if dining at someone’s house
Do switch all phones off before you arrive
Do be punctual
Do look into the eyes of your dining companions & engage enthusiastically in polite conversation
Do Try something different and allow your palette to be adventurous
Do take care whilst eating & drinking to avoid embarrassing spillage
Do find something positive on which to compliment your host.
Do remember your all important thank you note
DO NOT
Do not arrive starving – have a glass of water if necessary, the growling of a hungry tummy is not appropriate back ground music
Do not slump or swagger and remember posture is an aid to self confidence
Do not extend your pinkie finger when holding a cup
Do not slurp
Do not gesture with your cutlery nor clink it against your cup or teeth
Do not gobble your food down quickly, but savour it & remember the time & effort that has gone into its preparation
Do not eat with your mouth open or talk with your mouth full
Do not stretch across the table, pick your teeth or lick your fingers
Do not place elbows on the table – remember all joints on the table will be carved!
Do not monopolise the conversation nor sit in silence, but try to contribute in equal measure. A compliment is always a welcome & easy contribution to make.
Credits: Ellen Easton of New York, NY. – Ellen Easton is a lifestyle industry leader, tea and etiquette authority, author of Afternoon Tea~ Tips, Terms and Traditions, A Tea Party Planner and Tea Travels™
For more information on the etiquette and planning of afternoon tea see: https://whatscookingamerica.net/EllenEaston/TeaTravelsIndex.htm
