Steve & Jemma Copley
Have you ever had a formal English Tea? Getting together with a group of friends, your mom or your daughter can make for a fun and entertaining way to spend an afternoon!
Traditionally tea is an afternoon meal. If was intended to help hold off the appetite between lunch and the much later dinner times that used to be popular in high society; especially in Europe. The English have turned the serving of tea into an art. It is a great opportunity to put on a dress for no other reason than to play the lady. A hat is not required but it adds certain panache to tea.
The typical tea will begin with scones, served with clotted or Devonshire cream and jam. You slice the scone spread the jam and then top the piece with a dollop of the cream. Isn’t it great to be a grown up, you can start your meal with jam and cream.
The second course is tea sandwiches. These are usually crustless, very thin little sandwiches made with cucumber, egg salad, watercress or cream cheese. If the service is traditional, the meal will be served on a three-tiered tray with the scones on the top layer, the sandwiches on the middle layer and the dessert on the bottom.
Dessert is usually finger sized sweets, small custard and fruit tarts, brownies, macaroons little lemon tarts. The possibilities are almost endless.
Tea will be served by the pot with your choice of teas. Go crazy and try something totally new, or play it safe with English breakfast.
To find a tearoom near you check out this site. However, if there aren’t any, you can plan your very own tea at home and serve it yourself. Just don’t forget to wear your hat and gloves for even more fun!
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That is one tasty article.