This week is Afternoon Tea Week in the UK, and I wanted to join in on the celebrations. Unfortunately for you, (but thrilling for me) I am on vacation, so while I do not have any grand plans, I thought I would share a few of my thoughts on Afternoon Tea with you. Tea: Choosing a tea to serve may seem daunting, but it is rather simple. If you and your guests are novices to tea, choose one traditional tea and one herbal (decaf) tea. I recommend an English Breakfast or Earl Grey for black teas, as most people will be familiar with them. They also hold up nicely with milk, sugar, or lemon, which allows for ample adjustment to taste. If you would like to serve a green or white tea as a caffeinated option, I would suggest Sencha, Jasmine Green, or White Peony. Although these teas are more delicate in temperament and flavour, when brewed correctly they retain a gentle sweetness that helps balance the vegetal undertones. And should a guest need to doctor their cup, these teas will not falter beneath a little extra sweetness or citrus. As for the decaf teas, I would recommend something fruity and something a little more astringent. Honeybush, mint, chamomile, lemongrass, and hibiscus are all wonderful ingredients; blends are usually best when it comes to herbal teas, so pick something that sounds fun and interesting to you. Food: The tea may be the reason, but the food is the fun. First you want to decide if your gathering is going to be formal or more casual. A casual tea really only needs something sweet to serve alongside the beverage, as this type of party is not intended as a meal. Biscuits (cookies for the Americans among us) are always welcome, especially for those who prefer to do a little dunking. Tea cakes or quick breads are another fast and easy option, not to mention scones. Try and choose something that can be eaten off a single plate or requires no utensils. Although I always advocate for homemade, store bought goodies can be a decadent splurge for casual tea, especially considering the fact that you only need one or two varieties to make an impression. Remove them from their packaging and arrange onto a nice plate. Sometimes a little money well spent can work wonders. If you are choosing a formal afternoon tea, the menu must be more extensive, but not necessarily more fuss. A traditional tea usually has a plate of savouries, a plate of scones or breads, and a plate of sweets. Sandwiches in two-three flavours are customary for the savoury plate. These can be simple: cucumber and dill butter; or complicated: curried chicken salad. Unless you are serving them on mini buns, however, the one thing the sandwiches all have in common is that the crusts get cut off. Another thing is to don't forget to know your audience! If kids are attending, mini PB&Js are perfectly acceptable. For the breads plate, scones are almost always included, but sometimes I like to break the rules and do something different. Buns, quick breads, rolls, even a good slice of brioche wouldn't be amiss, but don't forget the butter, jam, or clotted cream. The sweets plate usually has assorted patisserie, like mousse cups, tarlettes, cream puffs, cookies, or truffles. Any small format sweet will do, just try and maintain a balance of textures and flavours. Now sometimes I like to throw a little fresh fruit or veg into the mix, which can help offset the occasionally overwhelming amount of carbs involved in formal tea. Seasonal melons and berries are a favourite, but anything ripe and delicious would do. Veggies with hummus or another creamy dip is a healthy addition to any tea. Now the final piece is to make sure you have enough food. You don't want your guests to leave hungry, and leftovers are never a bad idea. A sausage roll for a midnight snack or a reheated scone for breakfast are delights every good host should enjoy. Service: For a casual tea, all you need are some sturdy mugs and a good plate. Of course, if you have the whole shebang, you can use it. Drinking tea out of a cup and saucer is proper whether you're by yourself, with a mate, or entertaining a whole party. But never fear- milky English Breakfast in a mug wide enough to fit a biscuit is appropriate for casual tea any time. If you want to fancy things up a bit or are throwing a more formal tea, there is a whole host of items that are suitable for the occasion. Tea cups, tea spoons, teapot, creamer, sugar bowl, a tiered service, platters, etc., are all beautiful additions to a tea table. If you're a collector, try color coordinating your selection to the season. Otherwise, use what you've got! I would just recommend that you stay away from paper plates, plastic utensils, or garish packaging. Afternoon tea should be a relaxing, comforting moment in time, free from stress and worry. In essence it should be a break from the regular sights and sounds of the daily grind. However you feel is best to achieve this is the way you should organize your tea.
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