Tea Time Tips – Afternoon Tea

Afternoon Tea can be enjoyed in your parlor, garden, or even a park or beach. No matter the setting, it is a refined gathering and careful thought and consideration should be put into the menu.

The proper tea to serve for Afternoon Tea depends on your personal preference of flavor, aroma, and body and your choice of menu. Generally a True Tea is served with the most popular choice being Black tea or a Black tea blend. However, many people prefer Darjeeling tea for its delicate flavor and full body. Your tea should also be accompanied by sugar, milk (not cream) and lemon.

Typically an Afternoon Tea would start with finger sandwiches. The more refined will remove the crusts and serve a variety of offerings and different breads. Some of the more popular options for fillings served on buttered bread are watercress, fresh thinly sliced cucumbers, meats; such as roast beef and ham, cheese, tuna, salmon, and egg salad. The finger sandwiches are further adorned with toppings such as olives, pickles, and cheese prettily held in place by an ornate pick.

Following the sandwiches is a major part of any British Afternoon Tea, sweet and savory scones. Scones may be plain, fruit, or cheese. Depending on the variety chosen, scones are served with simple butter or jam. For an authentic British flair heavy clotted cream may also be served with or in place of the butter. Clotted Cream from England originally was made in Devon and Cornwall but is now also made in Yorkshire. Scones are quite delicious served hot or cold.

Finally, it is traditional to serve one or two types of thinly sliced cakes. For total extravagance tarts may also be offered.  Cakes range from decadent chocolate cakes, coffee cakes, fruit cakes, and cup cakes to the most British of all cakes; Battenberg Cake. Battenberg Cake is a sponge cake made of alternating yellow and pink squares wrapped in a thick layer of marzipan.  It is believed that Battenberg Cake was named in honor of the marriage of Queen Victoria’s granddaughter to Prince Louis of Battenberg in 1884.

Other British sweets that are offered at Afternoon Teas are a Bakewell Tart an a Yorkshire Curd Tart. The famous Bakewell Tart hails from the town of Bakewell. It’s filling is a fruity raspberry and almonds. As its name suggests the Yorkshire Curd Tart comes from Yorkshire. It is a variation of cheesecake and is filled with curd and currants.

As important as your choices for the repast is your choice in tea service. In today’s marketplace the options for teapots and accessories are numerous. Perhaps the most elegant service is a Sterling Silver teapot complete with tray and sugar and creamer. Sterling flatware is used for guests and serving utensils. Porcelain and fine bone china teapots are available in a multitude of styles, shapes, and themes, along with cups and saucers. Plates for sandwiches and scones should match the theme of your service. Cakes are always to be served on a tiered cake plate.

Most important point to consider – Be sure to enjoy your Afternoon Tea with friends and family.