Etiquette of Tea Service
Tea parties bring to mind the carefree play of little girls. With delicious nibbles and fragrant beverages, a hostess can be creative and enjoy her friends without stress or undue expense. Knowledge of tea service etiquette completes the menu with grace and style. Does this Spark an idea?
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The Myth of High Tea
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Posh hotels across America mistakenly advertise afternoon "high tea," which is a actually a British term for supper--a substantial meal with meat and vegetables. It might include a "cream" tea, which comes with scones and jam, a "light" tea, featuring sweet treats and scones, or a "full" tea, which adds savory items as well as dessert.
The Tea
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Fanciful teapots add whimsy to the party. Ideal tea etiquette includes serving tea made in a pot with tea leaves. Lemon, milk and sweeteners are served on the side. Unless the group is large, the hostess should pour the tea for each guest into cups with saucers. Teaspoons, small plates and tiny cloth napkins complete each setting, with the addition of small knives or forks as needed for the food being served.
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Where to Sit
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Tea should be taken in the living room, with tea and food on small tables that are easily accessible to the guests. If your selection of edibles is large, or you have more guests than your living room can comfortably handle, have your tea in the dining room or at the kitchen table.
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References
- Photo Credit tea and cake image by hazel proudlove from Fotolia.com tea party image by lenurchik from Fotolia.com
