Miss Manners to The Rescue~

I was happy to see a question about afternoon tea in a recent Miss Manners column. (see March 12 Washington Post ) Many people are unaware of tea time ettiquette and terms. Miss Manners correctly explained the difference between afternoon tea and high tea...hurrah! I constantly hear people refer to tea time as 'High' tea, when indeed they mean Cream Tea or Afternoon Tea. High Tea is served late in the day and includes heavy food items such as meat pies, not finger foods. Unfortunately, even tea rooms perpetuate this mistake! Here is the reader question and Miss Manners' reply:

DEAR MISS MANNERS: For English afternoon tea, is there a particular order in displaying the foods, and an eating order on the three-tier server? And what kinds of foods are no-nos for English afternoon tea?

GENTLE READER: Afternoon tea consists of three courses — warm bread, sandwiches and sweets — and there is indeed a strict order in which they should be eaten. All are put out at the same time, on platters or the three-tiered stand you mention, but if you reach for the plum cake first, Nanny will slap your hand.
Propriety aside (and only cucumber sandwiches could distract Miss Manners from dwelling on propriety), there is no need to rush. The bread can be sweetened with jam and, if it is in the form of scones, topped with clotted cream. Then there are those tiny, crustless sandwiches. Finally, the cookies or miniature pastries or thin slices of cake.
Many subtle variations are made on these three categories, so it is a bit hard to say what would be out of place. Afternoon tea is not supposed to substitute for a meal — that would be high tea, the name of which is often misapplied to the tea you mean — so nothing substantial is served. And nothing that is messy or awkward to eat.

Here are the types of tea times:

• Devonshire, Devon Cream, Cornish or Cream Tea~ tea served with clotted cream, warm scones and preserves.
• High Tea~ served between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., this meal consists of a hot dish such as fish and chips or shepherd's pie followed by cakes and bread, butter and jam. Occasionally there are cold cuts and ham salad. Ale/beer may also be served.
• Afternoon Tea~ is a small meal typically eaten between 2pm and 5pm. The custom of afternoon tea originated in England in the 1840s
• Elevenses~ is a snack that is similar to afternoon tea, but eaten in the morning. It is generally less savoury than brunch, and might consist of cake or biscuits with a cup of coffee or tea.

I cannot think of Elevenses without thinking of the Hobbits of The Shire!

Hope you treat yourself (and Mom, or a friend) to an Afternoon Cream tea soon. With Mother's Day on the way, it is the perfect time for it! Save High Tea for a family dinner.

Basic British Scones

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 pinch salt
1/4 cup margarine
1/8 cup white sugar
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons milk

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Sift the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt into a bowl.
3. Rub in the butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar and enough milk to mix to a soft dough.
4. Turn onto a floured surface, knead lightly and roll out to a 3/4-inch thickness. Cut into 2-inch rounds and place on the prepared baking sheet. Brush with milk to glaze.
5. Bake at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for 10 minutes then cool on a wire rack. Serve with butter or clotted cream and jam.

sharing this post with:

 Brambleberry Cottage

It's Overflowing

Share Your Cup Thursday

A Cup Of Christmas Tea ~

"if you find you have some time, how wonderful if we could have a little chat and share a cup of Christmas tea." by Tom Hegg

A cup of Christmas Tea...the perfect thing to share with a friend on a chilly evening. Our repast is after 4 p.m. and can be authentically called 'High Tea'. 

High tea is an English meal that gained popularity in the 1600s, especially among laborers. It was often substantial, contrasted with afternoon tea where a few cakes might be served. High tea was often called meat tea because hearty dishes were served, perhaps meat sandwiches, or hot cooked food like meat pies, and Welsh rarebit. Cold meats, bread, cheese, crackers and a variety of desserts like cakes could make up part of the menu. High tea was usually a part of the evening meal, taken around sunset.  

Our gingerbread house~ It has an Oreo cookie roof, skaters on the pond and deer in the yard. 

 

The scent of pine mingled with the aroma of spices wafting from the kitchen. Going with a seasonal theme I chose to prepare Roasted Garlic Mashed Potato Soup, Turkey Roll Ups on whole grain flatbread and homemade Cranberry Orange Relish. There were small triangles of toast warming in the oven, waiting to become Welsh Rarebit. I also made Snickerdoodles and bought mini Chocolate Chip cookies and Chocolate drizzled Sugar Stars at Trader Joes. When my friend arrived she was greeted at the door by our festive penguin.

I lit the candles, then poured hot water onto the tea leaves to steep. The teapot is a Cup Of Christmas Tea design which originates with the story written my Tom Hegg.

         "Come in, come in," she laughed the words. She took me by the hand.

On went the striped cozy I made for the teapot to keep the tea piping hot! I served Troika tea by Kousmichoff which has hints of bergamot in it. It went well with turkey and cranberry.

The large plates I used are called 'Holiday Season' by Mikasa and the smaller luncheon sized plates are 'Tartan' by Sasaki.

                               
                                            I spy Santa Claus~

The centerpiece is a floral arrangement, candle and tea canister on a glass cake stand surrounded by a berry wreath.

There was fresh Italian Panettone too~

If you have never tried panettone look for it in stores and bakeries now. It is wonderful toasted!

The creamer was dressed in a beaded crochet doily and there were British style Crackers on the dessert tier nestled next to tiny candy canes.

Aren't the holly leaves on the teacups pretty?

Christians consider holly symbolic of Jesus Christ in two ways. The red berries represent the blood that Jesus shed on the cross on the day he was crucified. Legend states that holly berries were originally white, but that the blood Christ shed for the sins of humankind stained the berries forever red. A holly's pointed leaves symbolize the crown of thorns placed on Jesus' head before he died on the cross.

I have two Cup Of Christmas Tea cup and saucer sets...perfect for me and a friend.

'She poured two cups. She smiled, and then she handed one to me. And then we settled back and had a cup of Christmas Tea.'

I am excited to announce the random winner of my Blog Anniversary Give away! Susanne was number 5.

Thank you so much, ladies, for helping me to celebrate one year of blogging!

I am sharing this teatime post with:

Sandi's Embrace The Season Christmas Tea

Martha's Martha's Favorites

Kathy's Delightsome Life

Terri's Artful Affirmations

                                  Miss Spencer's St Nick Tea
                         Wanda Lee's Gingerbread Tea
      Here are the supplies we used to make our gingerbread house~

                           Another view of our yummy house~