What to Serve With Afternoon Tea

One of the most delightful times in a person’s life is to invite friends for an afternoon tea. This was especially fashionable in Europe during in the Victorian and Edwardian ages and in the U.S. during the Gilded Age. Today it is very popular, both for special events as well as for people who like to present friends or family members with an elegant experience. It provides an enjoyable time to visit and experience different kinds of teas as well as the food that is served with it.

Part of the fun of planning a tea is to have an attractive setting. Bone china is very popular for the teapot, matching cups and saucers, small serving plates and sugar and cream servers. Silver servers also present a beautiful picture. A linen tablecloth and linen napkins, together with attractive silver utensils, add an elegant look and is very pleasing to the eyes of the guests. A floral arrangement completes the picture.

The average tea party is held anytime in the afternoon and is most successful if it entertains no more than eight people. This makes a cozy arrangement and allows time for the tea party host to mingle and chat with each person attending.

There is always the question of what to serve with afternoon tea in addition to tea, lemon slices, honey, sugar and a small pitcher of milk. There are many different recipes available for tea party foods that are delicious and easily prepared. Light food, such as cucumber sandwiches is very popular. In addition to sandwiches, cookies, cheese and crackers, fresh fruits, crumpets are fashionable for this event.

Fillings for the sandwiches reflect the event and are light or dainty. The cucumber tea sandwich is a standard item as well as those containing ham, watercress, pimento cheese, smoked salmon, egg salad and curried chicken. The spreads usually include mixtures of cream cheese or mayonnaise and applied prior to adding the other ingredients.

The bread used for the sandwiches is traditionally thinly sliced, and white. However, today what to serve with afternoon tea includes rye, sour dough, wheat or pumpernickel breads, if desired. After the sandwich is prepared, the crust is cut away. It is then shaped. The result may be a long and narrow sandwich or one that is cut into triangles. Another attractive method is to cut the sandwich with a cookie cutter, especially during a holiday season.

What to serve with afternoon tea need not be a problem. With today’s Internet, there are countless suggestions and recipes for proper food to prepare for such an occasion. Placing such food on a 2-tier glass cake pedestal or on individual plates provides the opportunity to present it in an attractive manner. While the host pours the tea, the guests will choose their own food.

An afternoon tea is an excellent occasion to introduce a new person to a group. Since it is always a small gathering they will quickly feel welcome. It can also be used for a simple get together of friends or family. All will enjoy the friendly and relaxing event.