Tea Party

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At all times, Tea is associated as a khaki-colored concoction, brewed from leaves, leaf buds, and other plant parts served before or after meals, which can be either hot or cold. But for some it’s not just a mere drink; it’s a way of life, a cultural legacy, a comfort, and an art.

In the past if you took “afternoon tea” or “high tea” it was a glance of your social standing. Afternoon Tea was a light elegant meal served between a light lunch and late dinner, usually between 3 o’clock and 5 o’clock, and was mainly confined to the aristocracy with their leisurely lifestyle. High Tea was a more substantial meal, including meat and/or fish, and was really an early dinner which well suited the middle and lower classes after a long day at work.

As times and lifestyles changed, the popularity of the formal afternoon tea waned, but has seen a revival in recent years as people once again enjoy its elegance. This formal pause quickly developed into a fashionable social event and spread where afternoon dances were called “tea dances.” During the 1880′s, well-to do, society women had wardrobes including long gowns, gloves and hats especially for afternoon tea. Service was highly stylized, with very specific rituals for serving the tea, usually in the drawing room between four and five o’clock. The occasion called for pleasant conversation among the prettiest table settings, providing the hostess an opportunity to show off her best china and linens and to serve her most delicate cookies and cakes.

As practice, tea party was and is rather concise, lasting 1 to 1 1/2 hours, providing just enough time for a delicious snack and plenty of conversation usually scheduled from mid to late afternoon. An afternoon tea theme may also be used for a wedding reception, shower, or large afternoon party, as long as the starting time is between 2:00 PM and around 4:30. At a large party, coffee or even punch or iced tea may be added to the menu. Evening teas beginning after dinner are also occasionally scheduled.

At the party, everything is placed on the table .The food is prepared before the guests arrive, and is either presented into a buffet style, or by just passing plates of goodies at the table. This often includes savory, bite size sandwiches, scones or biscuits, and sweets. The only thing that needs to be served is the tea itself, allowing the hostess to have plenty of time with her guests and be relaxed and enjoy the event itself instead of running back and forth to the kitchen.

Napkins and small plates are stacked, but cups are placed on their saucers, not stacked. Each person needs a small spoon for stirring the tea, and a spreader, or butter knife for spreading a scone with clotted cream, but knives and forks for eating interfere with the ease and sociability of the event. The party is kept relatively small so that everyone can be seated around the table or in armchairs with an end table nearby for them to place their cup and saucer and other table appointments. No guests serve their own tea, instead the hostess serves everyone, adding sugar and lemon or cream as requested. At one time it was customary to first pour a little milk into the teacup. It was thought that the fine porcelain cup may crack if the hot tea was poured directly into the empty cup. At larger parties, friends of the hostess are asked to serve. It is still considered an honor to be asked to “pour” or serve tea at someone’s tea party.

Tea Party Preparation

If you want to make your tea party to be memorable, here are some suggestions and preparations that will help:

1. Prepare and begin with creative invitations.

2. Purchase or borrow the necessary items for your tea gatherings.

- 1 or more china teapots
- Cups and saucers may with a variety of patterns.
- Cutlery this includes teaspoons, small fork for lemon slices in a dish, serving utensils for cake, forks, and – knives for jam.
- Sugar bowl with tongs for serving sugar. Always use sugar cubes
- Milk Containers. Serve milk, not cream.

3. Choose for classical or vintage type of music.

4. Use candles to create ambiance.

5. Plan and prepare a colorful variety of petit fours, scones, sugar cookies, and of course, chocolate.

6. Set out bouquets of pink and white flowers.

7. Take Polaroid snapshots of guests to add to the fun and chatter.

8. Ask guests to dress up complete with heels, hats, and gloves

Tea for the Party

Tea are sold either in tea bags or loose tea leaves. At one time, loose tea with its large leaves had a superior flavor as tea bags were made with broken tea leaves and siftings that produced a stronger, darker tea. The introduction of fine quality tea bags has changed that and now the choice between loose tea leaves or tea bags is based more on personal preference.

There are wonderful assortment fine teas available today. The three main types are: Black, Oolong or Red, and Green Tea. Assam, Ceylon, China Caravan, Darjeeling, Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Irish Breakfast, Keemun, Kenya, Lapsang Souchong, Nilgiri, Orange Pekoe, Rose Pouchong, Russian, and Yunnan are Black Teas. Formosa/China Oolong and Formosa/China Pouchong are Oolong or Red Teas, and Gunpowder and Jasmine are Green TeasTea.

Caddies can be used to store both tea leaves and bags. A small container, once lockable to prevent servants from stealing the expensive tea leaves, it keeps tea leaves fresh for up to 2 years and tea bags for approximately 6 months.

Tea Preparation:

1. Allow at least a pint of tea for each person; this is enough for three ordinary tea cups-full.

2. Fill a tea kettle with purified water and set on stove to boil.

3. Warm up your china teapot by running hot water thru it from the faucet. This will keep your tea warmer for a bit longer.

4. Add your teabags or tea-filled infuser to the teapot using 2-3 tea bags for 4 guests.

5. Pour the boiling water carefully into your teapot and wait 5 minutes, then remove teabags

6. Remember that China Teapots are best at keeping tea warm. Surround teapot with a stylish tea cozy for extra insulation.

I hope you have learned a little history of tea parties and how to throw a tea party like a champ. Enjoy your party and save a cup for me.

Image Credit Flickr.com

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