Tea+Time

In general, tea time is a snack that is eaten to hold one’s self over till the next meal. In the United Kingdom, tea time often refers to afternoon tea. Afternoon tea is a time when people eat a snack to hold them off till dinner. Observing afternoon tea in the United Kingdom can be traced back into the 1840’s. Back in those days, afternoon tea was seen as an upper class social gathering, often enjoyed by women more than men. Baby sized sandwiches with rare ingredients, like ham, fish paste, and smoked salmon, were served with tea. They would also have scones , cakes, and pastries. But over the years, afternoon tea has evolved to become something that the working class can enjoy, too. People in the working class would have tea and a small sandwich or some kind of bakery good sometimes. Besides for afternoon tea, there is also high tea .

Afternoon tea, also referred to as low tea, is around three to five in the afternoon. Afternoon tea is also called low tea, because of it is usually eaten at low rising tables, such as coffee tables. Traditionally, people brew loose tea leaves in teapot, and milk and sugar are served on the side. Today, some people use tea bags to brew their tea instead of loose leaves. Besides for tea, milk, and sugar, the fallowing items can be served during afternoon tea and tea rooms will have their menus labeled as such: savories, scones, and pastries. Savories are tiny sandwiches or appetizers. When they serve scones, jam and cream are served along its side. As for pastries, cakes, cookies, shortbreads, and other kinds of sweets will fall under this category. Afternoon tea, also, has three serving styles: cream tea, light tea, and full tea. Cream tea is an afternoon tea where tea and scones with jam and cream are served. Light tea consists of tea, scones, and sweets. Finally, a full tea will have tea, savories, scones, sweets, and desserts.

Also, afternoon tea has etiquette that people should follow so they won’t make fools of themselves. To begin, you should hold the cup in a manner where you won’t spill any hot liquids onto yourself. This can be done properly on both tea cups with and without handles. For tea cups with a handle, place your fingers on the front and back of the handle. You can have your pinkie up to help balance. Never put your fingers threw the loop of the handle or cup the bottom on the cup. For tea cups without a handle, take your thumb and index fingers and place them straight across from each other on the outside of the cup (image that the cup is a clock and place your thumb and index fingers at the six and twelve o’clock positions). Also, have your pinkie up to help balance for tea cup without handles. Pinkies up does not mean to stick your pinkie as far out as you can, but to gracefully left it up and have it on a slight tilt. When you can balance the cup, you’ll avoid spilling the tea. Also, never wave the tea cups in the air, for that is rude. When you are not using your cup, put it back onto the tea saucer.

Next, the way you use the teaspoons have a special method, too. Never stir your tea in circles using the teaspoon. Instead “fold” from the six o’clock position up to the twelve o’clock position a few times. When finished, place the teaspoon on another plate or ask the server to take the spoon.

Finally, when drinking the tea do not act like a slob. Do not slurp and make obscure noises while drinking your tea. Instead, sip your tea and make sure you swallow it before you try to eat anything. Never use your tea to wash down food.

High tea, also called “meat tea,” is a heavier meal or a dinner. It is eaten around five to seven at night on higher tables, compared to afternoon tea tables; and thus giving it the name high tea. Meat tea consists of hot foods, like meat or fish dishes, backed goods, vegetables, and other hardier dishes, like beans or casseroles. Afterwards, dessert is served. Back in the day, high tea wasn’t so much of a grand social gathering; rather it was the time when the working class would eat a meal with their family. Regular table manners apply.