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.
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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
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 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
Sandwiches and Savories
Savory Spreads and Dips
Scones and Tea Breads
Afternoon Tea and the Four Seasons
A Spring Tea
An Outdoor Summer Tea
A Winter Afternoon Tea
An Autumn Afternoon Tea
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
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 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