TEA'D OFF

Former first lady Nancy Reagan said it best when she offered “A woman is like a tea bag, you cannot tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.”  Tea, or even more importantly, the act of tea hosting has always been seen as an important ritual of the aristocracy.  Before it was brought to Britain, the English had only two meals, breakfast and dinner.  During the eighteenth century, dinner for the upper and middle classes shifted from noontime to the evening meal.  Although we tend to view the English as the originators of tea time there’s a bit of proof that it may have developed in France.  It first arrived in Paris in 1636, 22 years before it appeared in England and quickly became popular among the aristocracy. In fact, in the writings of Madame de Sevigne, one of history's greatest letter writers on life in 17th Century France wrote:  "Saw the Princesse de Tarente [de Sevigne wrote]... who takes 12 cups of tea every day... which, she says, cures all her ills. She assured me that Monsieur de Landgrave drank 40 cups every morning. 'But Madame, perhaps it is really only 30 or so.' 'No, 40. He was dying, and it brought him back to life before our eyes.' . . . Madame de Sevigne also reported that it was a Frenchwoman, the Marquise de la Sablière, who initiated the fashion of adding milk to tea. "Madame de la Sablière took her tea with milk, as she told me the other day, because it was to her taste."

By any account, tea was here to stay.  In the nineteenth century, according to legend, one of Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting, Anna Maria Stanhope, known as the Duchess of Bedford, is credited as the creator of afternoon teatime. Because the noon meal had become skimpier, the Duchess suffered from "a sinking feeling" at about four o'clock in the afternoon.  As legend tells, the Duchess had her servants sneak a pot of tea and a few breadstuffs. Adopting the European tea service format, she invited friends to join her for an additional afternoon meal at five o'clock in her rooms at Belvoir Castle. The menu centered around small cakes, bread and butter sandwiches, assorted sweets, and, of course, tea. The practice proved so popular, the Duchess continued it when she returned to London, sending cards to her friends asking them to join her for "tea and a walking the fields." The practice of inviting friends to come for tea in the afternoon was quickly picked up by other social hostesses, especially for the popular “high tea.”

The term high tea is actually misunderstood.  Many people mistakenly refer to afternoon tea as high tea on the notion that it is regal.  Afternoon tea also called "low tea" is named such because it was usually taken in a sitting room or withdrawing room.  The three basic types of afternoon tea are the Cream Tea or tea served with scones, jam, and cream, Light Tea or tea served with scones and sweets, and the Full Tea, which is tea with savories, scones, sweets, and dessert.

The act of hosting tea is an art form that is a wonderful chance to indulge in the company of loved ones and friends any time of the year.  Tea hosting isn’t rocket science but there are certain rules of etiquette that help maintain its integrity.

Invitations are usually given personally by phone.  A calling card may be used for a more elaborate presentation.  The tray on which the tea is served should be the best that the hostess can afford.   It like all the silver should be gleaming and it never has a cloth on it.  Tea plates are stacked with folded napkins between each one.  On the tray are the following:  pitcher of hot water, teapot, and a bowl for waste, sugar, milk, lemon slices with fork, tea knives, cups, and saucers.

Here are some simple rules.

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

2.      

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

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3.       Do not stir your tea, with your tea spoon, in sweeping circular motions. Place your tea spoon at the six o'clock position and softly fold the liquid towards the twelve o'clock position two or three times. Never leave your tea spoon in your teacup. When not in use, place your tea spoon on the right side of the tea saucer.  

4.   
 Never wave or hold your teacup in the air. When not in use, place the teacup back in the tea saucer. If you are at a buffet, hold the tea saucer in your lap with your left hand and hold the teacup in your right hand. 

5.       When not in use, place the teacup back in the tea saucer and hold in your lap.  The only time a saucer is raised together with the teacup is when one is at a standing reception.

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

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

One dresses for tea in simple attire.  A pants suit, wool dress or a simple daytime dress is appropriate.  In summer, anything of cotton or linen is correct and hats are optional.

The main thing to remember is that tea is just another means for women to get together and enjoy themselves.  It is supposed to be relaxing, enjoyable and most of all fun.  Cheers!

Where to get the goods  

www.buyteacheap.com 

www.talbottteas.com