Tea Stories
Superstition January 12 2020
There is an old superstition that says: to put milk in tea before sugar is to cross the path of love, perhaps never to marry. Personally, I think that is a load of old codswallop.Tea Dances January 11 2020
The tea dance was a dance held in the summer or autumn from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the English countryside, and sometimes, at the end of a garden party. Not so much in London itself as in the surrounding areas.
The function grew out of the afternoon tea tradition, and J. Pettigrew traces its origin to the French colonization of Morocco.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II January 10 2020
And while I am on a name dropping run, I also read that Her Majesty begins each day with a tray of tea and biscuits, (or cookies as they are known in the United States).Sir Richard Branson January 09 2020
Did you know that this genius man says he drinks about 28 cups of tea a day? I have, on occasion, sent him some Mrs. McCartney's English Breakfast, which I sincerely hope have added to his wellbeing. (I'm just an old name dropper).The famous "they" have done another survey January 08 2020
"They" say that more half half of those over 60 see putting the kettle on in a crisis is typically British, compared to just 36% of millenials. So there!How tea began in England January 06 2020
The English started drinking tea in the late 1650's, and as both the brewed beverage and the dry loose leaves were extremely expensive, it immediately became the drink of the Royal Family and the Aristocracy.Teacups and saucers November 14 2017
Teacups did not always have handles. Chinese tea bowls influenced the first European teacups. At first, the English made cups without handles in the traditional Chinese style. Not until the mid 1750's was a handle added to prevent ladies from burning their fingers. In Victorian times in England, the tea was sometimes poured into the saucer to cool it before sipping, this was considered perfectly acceptable. This is what writers of that period meant by "a dish of tea."Elitism November 12 2017
Since ancient Rome, a cultured person ate with 3 fingers, a commoner with 5. Thus, the birth of the raised pinkie as a sign of elitism. This 3 finger etiquette rule is still correct when picking up food with the fingers and handling various pieces of flatware. This "pinky up" idea descended from a misinterpretation of 3 fingers versus 5 fingers dining etiquette in the 11th century.Tea party Etiquette November 11 2017
* Greeting/handshake
* After sitting down - put purse on your lap or behind you against chair back.
* Napkin placement - unfold napkin on your lap. If you must leave temporarily, place napkin on chair.
* Sugar/lemon - sugar is placed in cup first, then thinly sliced lemon, and never milk and lemon together.
* Superstition - To put milk in tea before sugar is to cross the path of love, perhaps never to marry.
* The correct order when eating on a tea tray is to eat savories first, scones next, and sweets last.
* Scones - split horizontally with knife, curd and cream is placed on plate. Use the knife to put cream/curd on each bite. Eat with fingers, neatly.
* Proper placement of spoon - always place spoon behind the cup, never IN the cup.
* Proper holding of cup - never put pinky "up." And look into the teacup whilst drinking, not over it.
Times for Tea November 10 2017
* Cream Tea - a simple tea consisting of scones, clotted cream, marmalade or lemon curd and tea.
* Low Tea/Afternoon Tea - an afternoon meal including sandwiches, scones, clotted cream, lemon curd, 2 - 3 sweets and tea. Known as "low tea" because guests were seated in low armchairs with low side tables on which to place their cups and saucers.
* Elevenses - morning tea or coffee time in England.
* Royale tea - A social tea served with champagne at the beginning or sherry at the end of the tea.
* High tea - High tea notates an idea of elegancy and reality, when in fact it was an evening meal, most often enjoyed around 6 p.m. as labourers and miners returned home. High tea consists of meat and potatoes as well as other foods and tea. It was not exclusively a working class meal, but was adopted by all social groups. Families with servants often took high tea on Sundays in order to allow the maids and butlers time to go to church and not to have to worry about cooking an evening meal for the family.
The Duchess of Bedford November 09 2017
The ceremony of afternoon tea was referred to by Jane Austen in an unfinished novel in 1804, hinting that the tradition was established by Anne, Duchess of Bedford. She requested that light sandwiches be brought to her in the late afternoon, when she would experience a "sinking feeling" during that time, because of the long gap between meals. She began to invite others to join her, and thus the tradition was born.Tea Gardens November 08 2017
During the 18th century, tea gardens became popular. The whole idea of the garden was for ladies and gentlemen to take their tea together outdoors, surrounded by entertainers. They attracted everybody, including Mozart and Handel. The tea gardens made tea all the more fashionable to drink, plus they were important places for men and women to meet freely.Queen Anne November 07 2017
Queen Anne drank tea so regularly that she substituted a large bell-shaped silver teapot for the tiny Chinese tea pots. The earliest formal tea set dates from her reign.Catharine De Braganza, wife of Charles II of England November 06 2017
In England, after her marriage, she invited her friends into her bedroom chamber to share tea with her. Tea was generally consumed within a lady's bedchamber and mainly for a gathering of females. The tea itself and the delicate pieces of porcelain for brewing and drinking it were displayed in the closet, and inventories for wealthy households during the 17th and 18th centuries list tea equip not in kitchens or dining rooms, but in these small private closets or boudoirs. In the 18th century, it was the custom for highborn ladies to receive callers with their morning tea while "abed and bare-breasted."Nice!Tea Etiquette November 05 2017
There are many ideas about tea etiquette and when tea first became popular in England. Charles II grew up in exile at The Hague, and thus was exposed to the custom of drinking tea. He married Catharine of Braganza, a Portuguese lady, who also enjoyed tea. Catharine had grown up drinking it, as it was the beverage of choice in her country at that time. It was said that when she arrived in England to marry Charles II, she brought with her a casket of tea. She became known as the tea-drinking Queen. England's first.