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