tea menu basics

As we have learned, a traditional Afternoon Tea is usually comprised of three courses—sandwiches and other savory snacks, scones with cream, butter and jam, and a variety of sweets. These treats are intended to be enjoyed chronologically in a leisurely fashion, though they may all be presented simultaneously on a teacart or serving table. Hot tea will accompany all three courses.

Civilized conversation and the appreciation of a carefully appointed setting in harmony with the occasion and the season of the year are as important to a tea party as the food. Indeed, the food itself can contribute to the aesthetic delight of the event. Tea party foods are offered in very small servings, and a variety of selections of both savory and sweet foods are present. The host or hostess gives careful attention to the appearance and arrangement of each food item and the selection of dishes and other serving pieces with which the food is presented.

The time that the host invests in the visualization, preparation and presentation of the tea foods adds to the quality of the over-all experience for both the host and the guests. However, in planning a tea party, the host must also keep the foundational elements of each tea party menu in mind: sandwiches and scones. These must be selected to harmonize with the tea’s theme and the desserts that will be offered. Even if, for example, the host’s original inspiration for the Southern American Afternoon Tea was to bake the beautiful coconut cake on the menu, he or she must still choose sandwiches and scones that will complement the dessert.

In this chapter, we provide you with the basic techniques for creating the first two courses of an Afternoon Tea menu—sandwiches and savories and scones and tea breads. In the following chapters, you will find recipes for additional items in both categories along with all of the dessert recipes in the menus for individual tea parties. Sandwiches and scones are easy to make, and having mastered these tea party classics, a world of creative and delicious tea parties lies ahead.

All of the recipes in this chapter are available for our viewers to read online.  You may also download the recipes in PDF format for a nominal charge.  Simply click on the “Purchase Recipes” button at the top or bottom of any page and select “Tea Menu Recipes”, then select “Tea Menu Recipes for Tea Menu Basics” and “Add to Cart”.  Simply follow the instructions to purchase and download the file.

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THE TEA BOOK
The Road Back to Civilization
A Brief History of Tea
  Philosophy of Tea
     Harmony
     Humility
     Respect
     Creativity

Guidelines for the Host/Hostess

  Gathering and Greeting
  Sharing Stories
  Sharing Food
  Sending the Guests Home

Guidelines for the Guest

  Respect your Hostess/Host
  Bring a Gift if You Wish
  Practice Humility
  Monitor Your Conversation
  Arrive With a Grateful Attitude
  Help if Help is Needed
  Do Not Criticize
  Leave Gracefully
  Send a Thank you Note

A Checklist for Planning a Tea Party
Teas of the World and How to Make Tea

  A Sampling of Teas
  Herbal Teas and Tisanes
  How to Make Tea
  Making Iced Tea
  Tea Concentrate
  Brewing Tea for a Crowd

Tea Utensils and Accessories

  Tea Kettle
  Tea Pot
  Tea Cozy
  Teacups
  Plates
  Silverware
  Teacart
  Tea Strainer
  Tea Infuser
  Three-Tiered Server
  Cream Pitcher and Sugar   Bowl
  Cake Pedestal
  Trifle Bowl
  Jam Pots
  Serving Dishes, Platters, and Trays
  Silver Tea Set or Silver Tray
  Linens
  Kitchen Equipment for Food Preparation

Tea Menu Basics

  Sandwiches and Savories
  Savory Spreads and Dips
  Scones and Tea Breads

About Lemons

  Afternoon Tea and the Four Seasons

     A Spring Tea
     An Outdoor Summer Tea
     A Winter Afternoon Tea
     An Autumn Afternoon Tea

A Calendar of Tea Parties

  January:A Japanese New Year’s Tea
  February:Valentine’s Day Tea
  March:A St. Patrick’s Day Irish Tea
  April:An Easter Tea
May:Mother’s day Tea
  June:A Wedding Reception Tea

Lemon Yogurt Wedding Cake

  July:A Picnic Tea
  AUGUST:A FAMILY REUNION TEA

A North American Family Reunion Tea
  An Eastern Mediterranean Family Reunion Tea
  A Kosher Family Reunion Tea
  A Scandinavian Family Reunion Tea

  September:An Ozark Farm Harvest Tea
  October:A Tea to Honor   Our Ancestors(Dia de los Muertos)
  November:A Post Thanksgiving Tea
  December: A Christmas Tea

  In Defense of Fruitcake:Fruitcakes and Candied Fruit

A World of Tea Parties

  A Chinese Dim Sum Tea
  A Portuguese Tea
  A Classic British Afternoon Tea
  An Indian Chai Party
  A California Tea
  A Hawaiian Tea
  An Italian Tea
  An American Southern Tea
  A Russian Tea
A French Afternoon Tea
  A Kosher Teawith  Traditional Jewish Foods

Afternoon Tea for Special Occasions

An Afternoon Tea for Children
  A Tea for Our Elders
  A Honey Bee Tea in the Garden
  An Urban Tea on the Go
  Tea for One
  Afternoon Tea For a Large Group
  A Vegan Tea
  A Rose Tea