Tips to Host the Perfect Tea Time to watch the Royal Wedding
Just in time for the Royal Wedding, Allison Ritter from The Tea Cart in Berryville, Va. shares the do’s and don’ts of hosting a tea party.
Author: Elaina Finkelstein Published: 5/16/2018 1:00:57 PM Updated: 1:55 PM EDT May 16, 2018
There are a few things to include at the table:
- Teapot
- Fine English China
- Teacup and saucer
- “Stack” to hold your baked goods
Tea Tip #1: Instead of keep the tea bags in the box, Ritter suggests spreading out the beautiful and intricate tea bags on a small china plate so your guests can see how organized and planned out the table looks. It’s all about presentation, and you want to put as much on the table as you can to show off to your guests.
Tea Tip #2: The proper way to sip tea is to look into the cup as you sip. According to Ritter, she explains that it looks more classy and tea time is truly about embracing the taste of the tea, and by looking at it you are focused on how it feels on your tongue. Many people tend to look away and not down at their tea cup, but the British sip slow, and stare into the cup as they go.
Tea Tip #3: Pinky up? We found out that the correct way to sip tea is actually not with your pinky up, however you thumb and second finger gripping the cup handle, while your other fingers are tucked behind them. This is to show off the china and patterns on your glassware.
Tea Tip #4: Have you ever heard of dessert tea? Ritter suggest having various different flavors of tea spread out. As a host, you never know what flavors your guests may enjoy. That being said, the best thing to do is to get to or three flavors of tea spread out on the china, and maybe include a dessert tea for after baked goods are served.
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