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Sara Reyes | Best Tea Etiquette in Three Easy Steps
March 27, 2010
 Tea Service
One of the burdens of being a coordinator for a book club that meets for a high
tea is doing the research. Yes, the research of trying out new tea rooms or
houses or restaurants touting their tea service. It's a glamorous life you'd
think but unfortunately because you can spell "tea" it doesn't mean you can
serve a "tea" I've found. Plus there is a price point that must be met as well.
Our DFW Tea members have been meeting since 1995
and they, as I, have become
very particular. There is nothing wrong with our tastes or our requirement that
a tea shop delivers a great solid high tea. After all, we have a tea every
month, it's sometimes the highlight of our week, we enjoy meeting fellow members
and author guests and we have FUN! This week I tried out a new tea room by attending a class on tea etiquette. Even
though I've gone to teas for a few decades it never hurts to learn the etiquette
or see what I'm doing right (or wrong in case I stray from the rules). Our
instructor Cindy was a true connoisseur of tea drinking and gave us a fast
overview of what to do a tea in three easy steps. She also covered the history
of tea and some of its most famous incidents! She was so much fun I hope we'll
have her at our fall conference with Sherrilyn Kenyon, Readers 'n 'ritas. Although we'll have a
margarita happy hour, perhaps there will be time to imbibe
a cup of tea! Three Easy Steps to the Best Tea Etiquette 1. Tea is a social event so be prepared to be friendly and outgoing. The rules
are thank the hostess for inviting you and move on. Compliment her on the table
setting to show your appreciation. Once you are seated be sure to introduce
yourself to every one else at your table and include how you know the hostess.
In the case of our tea group I'd add what type of books I like the most or what
I've read last. 2. Tea is communal. Practice your sharing. You'll share a sugar dish, a jam jar,
a Devonshire (clotted) cream bowl and possibly butter. Use the communal
instruments with care simply to move a personal portion from the server to your
plate or cup. After the portion is on your plate, use your own knife or spoon to
place on the scone or biscuit. And your own spoon to quietly stir your tea. 3. As a tea is a bridge meal and a social occasion, your food is served in small
sizes, so you may use your fingers to enjoy the sandwiches, sconces and
miniature desserts. But try to take small enough bites so you won't be surprised
with your mouth full when you're asked a question. And basically, that's it to a high tea. I'd personally add, have a matching
brewed tea with each course and always include chocolate in the final course,
but then I'm picky. Our teas have been going strong for more than a decade. I've
become accustomed to checking out tea rooms in cities and towns that I visit
across the country, and you'll find someone in your area that loves to do "tea."
Just look around and make an excuse to spend an afternoon enjoying the company
of friends or new acquaintances over tea. You'll be glad you did when you
discover the fun of "having tea." Oh, yes, that pinky raised bit, not necessary with a handled cup. There you go!  Until next time...
Get out there and READ a book...
Sara Reyes
DFW Tea Readers Group
Join us at Readers 'n 'ritas November
12-14, 2010! with Sherrilyn Kenyon and more guests
See you on the Twitter (@FreshFiction) PS comment and you could win signed books in this weekend's blog contest. Two
WINNERS!!!
Comments
33 comments posted.
Re: Sara Reyes | Best Tea Etiquette in Three Easy Steps
I have been to a few teas and they are so much fun. And I love these weekend bundle of book contests. Hope one day I will be lucky enuf to win one. Have a great weekend.
(Rose Guardino 10:26am March 27, 2010)
That sounds wonderful. I've been to "high tea" a couple of times and loved it. Thanks for a fun column.
(G S Moch 10:51am March 27, 2010)
I've never experienced tea in
this manner, but I sure enjoy
sharing it with my mother!
(Margay Roberge 10:57am March 27, 2010)
I love tea. I've been to a few shops that
serve high tea, but I much prefer just
sharing my tea "ceremony" at home with
my grandmother and family. :)
(MaryAnne Banks 11:01am March 27, 2010)
I don't like tea but have been to a few high teas (ordered coffee - lol) and really enjoyed them. Last time we wore crazy hats furnished by the restaurant and took pictures. The food is usually very yummy at the teas.
(Pat Lieberman 11:05am March 27, 2010)
I love our monthly tea- hope we now have a new place to visit!
(Sara Edmonds 11:46am March 27, 2010)
It looks like a fun time and I think chocolate is a great addition.
(Maureen Emmons 11:54am March 27, 2010)
I too love our teas, and am glad to see some new faces attending.
(Sandi Shilhanek 12:32pm March 27, 2010)
I have never been to a tea party but always thought it was kind of neat! A friend sent me a package of special tea just last ween but I have not fixed it yet!
(Gail Hurt 1:03pm March 27, 2010)
I so enjoy high tea with a friend or two! Once my husband even joined me and he really thought it was fun! LOL!
(Jane Lange 1:56pm March 27, 2010)
I've never had high tea before, but it does sound like fun. I would like to attend one and nibble on some sandwiches and scones.
(Jane Cheung 2:16pm March 27, 2010)
My mom puts on a Victorian Tea with costumes to benefit the local historical society. When the men kept hearing about how good it was, they had a tea of their own and thoroughly enjoyed it and the food that went along.
(Alyson Widen 2:41pm March 27, 2010)
I have enjoyed several civil war "teas" in this area for the past several years. There is a lot of humor in the re-enactment soldiers juggling teeny porcelain cups and cucumber sandwiches. The also foster a great sense of connectedness with the past and to able to tie a tea to a great read would surely enhance both!
(Susan Driskill 2:54pm March 27, 2010)
I have never but to a tea party but it is my favorite beverage. Love to try all the flavored teas. So much fun!
(Teresa Ward 3:43pm March 27, 2010)
I love teas. Thanks for the tips
(Phyllis Lamken 6:01pm March 27, 2010)
I enjoy my tea every day, several cups in fact; my favorite is green peppermint tea and my cupboard is always stocked with it.
(Diane Sadler 7:08pm March 27, 2010)
I've never been to a "tea". It sounds like fun though. I'll have to check around and see what's happening in my area!!
(Martha Lawson 9:45pm March 27, 2010)
I love to win those books.
(Gloria Walshver 9:54pm March 27, 2010)
A friend of mine used to put on a high tea as a novel get together event. It was great fun with delicious savory and sweet items and, of coarse, pots of nicely brewed tea...the leaves were strained out after a few minutes so that the infusion was never bitter. It was always a treat.
(G. Bisbjerg 9:58pm March 27, 2010)
I had Afternoon Tea at the Empress hotel
in Victoria once. I enjoyed it, but with the
money we paid I was expecting more. I
think if I were to try it again I'd want to
do it at home.
(Jung Ja Ahn 11:15pm March 27, 2010)
How fun!!! I'd never thinking of "having tea" as fun but it sounds like you have alot of fun. I love tea and I love books. Sounds like a good time for all!!
(Vicki Hancock 11:45pm March 27, 2010)
Your tea group sounds like fun. I have only been to a high tea a time or two but I enjoyed those times tremendously. My daughter much prefers hot tea to cold tea, so we have it at home quite often. Tea is a great treat to share.
(Gladys Paradowski 11:54pm March 27, 2010)
I love the tea etiquette & I agree there is an art to imbibing the beverage. My family takes tea at all hours but high tea is a favorite.
(Mary Preston 12:56pm March 28, 2010)
I love tea. I like getting together with family and friends for tea and dessert.
(Cheryl Lynne 1:23am March 28, 2010)
Chocolate is a great addition to
tea!
(S Tieh 1:35am March 28, 2010)
Thank you for the tips! I love to eat chocolate with hot tea!>_<
(Giada Mariani 6:03am March 28, 2010)
As a Brit, who now lives in Germany, I am, of course, an expert on tea time...hehe!!! I love to have tea with sandwiches, scones and some freshly baked cakes...yum!!!
(Valerie Bongards 6:41am March 28, 2010)
A tea sounds so much fun.
(Joanne Reynolds 7:51am March 28, 2010)
I love our DFW teas - we always have a great time. And our book exchange is always fun. Thanks for being our coordinator Sara.
(Linda Calvert 10:20am March 28, 2010)
Although I had never thought too much about attending a "Tea" (if I were ever asked, that is, LOL), I must say that it sounds wonderful! Thanks so much for all the great info. and I will hope to attend one myself someday.
(Cheri Minott 10:41am March 28, 2010)
I love our teas. The best is trading the books although having champagne at tea is also nice :)
(Summer Sharp 3:49pm March 28, 2010)
I was just thinking about buying my granddaughter her 1st tea set and your blog is perfect timing.
(Mitzi Hinkey 5:02pm March 28, 2010)
Never had High Tea but drink green tea and other teas daily. When I had chemo I found out green tea is beneficial to your recovery so since 1999 I have been drinking.
I would love to go to a High Tea some day.
(Brenda Hill 5:27pm March 28, 2010)
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