
Note: See the
Recipes section for the recipes
to the "Suggested Tea Accompaniments"
Breakfast Tea
Traditional "teatime"
for Breakfast Tea is anytime prior to lunch. The institution of tea for
breakfast was probably influenced by Queen Anne (1665 - 1714).
Suggested
Teas: Strong blends of tea from India; English Breakfast tea, Irish
Breakfast tea or Ceylon Breakfast tea. These teas have a little extra
caffeine for that early morning "pick-me-up".
Suggested Tea
Accompaniments: Cheese & chive bread with butter or apple
biscuit round or waffles.
Note: See the Recipes section for the recipes
to the "Suggested Tea Accompaniments"
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Brunch Tea
Brunch Tea seems to be
an American tradition and is typically held anytime between 11:00 AM and
1:00PM. Brunch Teas are served as a light lunch.
Suggested
Teas: English Breakfast
Suggested Tea
Accompaniments: Finger sandwiches (i.e., cucumber & dill,
avocado & bacon), tuna toasties, cherry nut bread, scones, devonshire
cream and preserves.
Note: See the Recipes section for the recipes
to the "Suggested Tea Accompaniments"
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Afternoon Tea / Low Tea
Traditional "teatime"
for Afternoon Tea / Low Tea is 4:00 PM, however, any time between 2:00 PM
and 5:00 PM is appropriate. Afternoon Tea is always an elegant snack
rather than a meal.
Afternoon Tea / Low
Tea is said to have begun with Duchess Anna of Bedford, one of Queen
Victoria's ladies-in-waiting, around 1840. She would feel faint in the
afternoons, which was probably due to hypoglycemia, so she started sipping
tea to get through to the late 7:00 PM English dinner. Along with her
afternoon tea she started to serve snacks to her aristocratic friends.
Later, Queen Victoria (1891 - 1901) further popularized "teatime" by
sitting down to tea every afternoon.
Suggested
Teas: Ceylon tea, Earl Grey, Darjeeling, Tea with a Twist, Chinese
Gunpowder or Dragonwell.
Suggested Tea
Accompaniments: Finger sandwiches (i.e., deviled ham toasts, tomato
& watercress with chive butter), Irish soda bread & butter, citrus
pound cake and raspberry custard tarts.
Note: See the Recipes section for the recipes
to the "Suggested Tea Accompaniments"
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High Tea
Traditional "teatime"
for High Tea is 6:00 PM. High Tea was created by the poor working class of
England, because they could only afford one solid meal a day. The one meal
of day was usually lunch and more often than not workers got home in the
evening tired and hungry. High Tea was a pot of tea in the evening to tide
one over until the next day's meal. Sometimes the tea was accompanied by
leftovers like bread, cheese, cold meats, sausages or anything that could
be pocketed and brought home to add a little substance to the tea. As the
wealth of England increased, so did the number of people in the middle
class. As a result, High Tea developed into a more substantial light meal.
Nowadays, High Tea is no longer needed on a daily basis, as dinner has
replaced it. However, tea is still enjoyed after the evening meal in
England.
Suggested
Teas: Ceylon tea or Assam blended teas.
Suggested Tea
Accompaniments: Scones, devonshire cream, strawberry preserves,
biscuits, cheeses and meats.
Note: See the Recipes section for the recipes
to the "Suggested Tea Accompaniments"
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Tea Break
The concept of Tea
Breaks in England got started over 250 years ago. This was a period of 15
- 30 minutes in mid-morning and mid-afternoon. It was controversial, but
employers realized they could increase employee productivity and stamina
by supplying them with tea to get through the day.
Suggested
Teas: Earl Grey, Lapsang Souchong, Orange Pekoe grade
teas.
Suggested Tea
Accompaniments: Almond macaroon cookies and zucchini - pistachio
bread.
Note: See the Recipes section for the recipes
to the "Suggested Tea Accompaniments"
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Tea For One
While Tea For One can
be enjoyed any time of the day, we suggest you partake of it at 5:00 PM.
By eating light and early you will have more time in the evening and you
will sleep better.
Suggested
Teas: Ceylon tea or Assam blended teas.
Suggested Tea
Accompaniments: Finger sandwiches (turkey triangles), almond
macaroon cookies and either apple slices, orange slices or a bunch of
grapes.
Note: See the Recipes section for the recipes
to the "Suggested Tea Accompaniments"
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Cream Tea For Two
Cream Tea For Two can
be enjoyed any time of the day. We suggest you invite your significant
other or a cherished friend to share your Cream Tea for Two.
Suggested
Teas: A flavored black tea, (i.e., Summer Breeze tea, a black tea
with strawberry, raspberry and rhubarb pieces)
Suggested Tea
Accompaniments: Scones with strawberry preserves and clotted
cream.
Note: See the Recipes section for the recipes
to the "Suggested Tea Accompaniments"
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Tea Party To Go
A Tea Party To Go can
be enjoyed any time of the day. Think of this as a portable treat to share
with your significant other, either at the local park or that special
place that only you two share. When packing your Tea Party To Go in a
basket be sure to include your teacups and sauces. You can prepare the tea
ahead of time and place it in a thermos to keep it hot or cold.
Suggested
Teas: A blended tea or flavored black tea (i.e., Monk's Blend, a
black tea with a vanilla and grenadine taste or Black Currant tea, a black
tea with black currant pieces and leaves).
Suggested Tea
Accompaniments: Finger sandwiches (i.e., spicy chicken, stilton
& pear pockets), double chocolate cookies and cranberry brazil
loaf.
Note: See the Recipes section for the recipes
to the "Suggested Tea Accompaniments"
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Garden Tea Party
A Garden Tea Party can
be enjoyed any time of the day. Invite your significant other or a few
cherished friends to your Garden Tea Party. Set up a pretty table in your
back yard or local park and get acquainted with the tradition of tea in
your garden. You may need to prepare your tea ahead of time and place it
in a thermos, also don't forget to include your teacups and
saucers.
Suggested
Teas: A flavored black tea (i.e., Black Currant tea, a black tea
with black currant pieces and leaves)
Suggested Tea
Accompaniments: Finger sandwiches (i.e., smoked turkey tomato,
curried egg), black currant whirls, scones with devonshire cream &
black currant preserves and small gourmet chocolates.
Note: See the Recipes section for the recipes
to the "Suggested Tea Accompaniments"
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Children's Tea Party
A Children's Tea Party
or Nursery Tea is a British tradition that is usually hosted under the
observance of the Nanny's watchful eye. However, any child can enjoy the
whimsical atmosphere of tea with special treats and a grownup
feel.
Suggested
Teas: Children's Bubblegum tea
Suggested Tea
Accompaniments: Finger jelly sandwiches (i.e., strawberry or
blueberry preserves with butter, cinnamon toast or chocolate tea), double
chocolate cookies or chocolate nut muffins.
Note: See the Recipes section for the recipes
to the "Suggested Tea Accompaniments"
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