Tea Utensils and Accessories

The items used for serving Afternoon Tea can be either very simple or quite elaborate. The Japanese Tea Ceremony, for example, emphasizes extreme simplicity, including a very sparely decorated environment in the teahouse and the use of humble ceramic cups for the tea. Yet even the very plain hand made Japanese utensils used for making tea have a quiet artistic elegance, always in harmony with the season of the year. In contrast, a British Victorian Afternoon Tea is a complex, highly decorative event encompassing an almost infinite number of specialized pieces of silverware, serving dishes and accouterments of every kind. The Victorian aesthetic may seem busy, fussy and over the top to contemporary tastes, but it has its own historic authenticity based on neo-gothic and rococo influences. And like the understated Japanese Zen influenced aesthetic, the Victorian vision is firmly grounded in a love for nature with a focus on floral, avian and botanical motifs.

We like to be as inclusive as possible in our vision for Afternoon Tea, and our menus reflect a variety of cultures. The choice of utensils, dishes and decorative items to accompany these menus will be guided by the host or hostess’ artistic sensibilities, creative gifts and resources. In this regard we prefer to take the middle path. It is certainly not necessary to buy a Beleek Tea Set or several pieces of antique Waterford crystal to host an Irish Afternoon Tea party. Instead, we urge you to inventory the cups and saucers, dishes, vases, linens and utensils that you already own and use them appropriately.

We hate to see anyone saving the “good china” for a special occasion. Every Afternoon Tea gathering is a special occasion, and everything we own is intended to be used. Be sure to look in the back of the closet and in the old boxes in the garage. You may discover interesting items that you have forgotten. If you find any pieces of silver or crystal among your possessions, polish the silver and use it. Clean the crystal and don’t think about whether it will get chipped or broken. Nothing lasts forever. And please, don’t worry if your old dishes, platters or vases don’t match. You can still create a harmonious effect by combining similar colors or seasonal motifs.

If after looking through all your storage spaces you learn that you have almost nothing that can be used to serve Afternoon Tea, then you can prepare a list of items for future purchase. Start with the basics. Buy a large teapot in white, cream or brown earthenware. Then stay with cream colored or white dishes that can be used in any season or for any occasion. These dishes do not need to be expensive, but do not buy plastic. A basic tea set would include four cups and saucers, four salad sized plates, a matching platter and a set of four cream colored cloth napkins. After that, you can add a matching cream pitcher and sugar bowl to your collection. The rest of the items for serving Afternoon Tea can be selected from the dishes and equipment that you use for everyday meals. And over time you can buy colorful pieces of china with seasonal flowers, colors and motifs that can be mixed with your basic white or cream colored dishes.

We have assembled a list of tea utensils and serving pieces that would be helpful for you to have in preparing an Afternoon Tea. As you become more familiar with the tea ritual, you can add more items that reflect your own interests and tastes.

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