A Simple Tea Menu

Fancy cookies

Scones with clotted cream or jam

Egg salad sandwiches cut in cute shapes

Open faced cream cheese sandwiches with sliced cucumbers on top

Strawberries and grapes

 

Coffees & Teas

TEAS

 

There’s nothing quite so soothing as sipping a hot cup of tea.  Tea conjures up memories of Alice in Wonderland or Peter Rabbit’s chamomile tea before being put to bed.  A simple Afternoon Tea has the advantage of being able to be prepared well in advance.  Only a pot of water needs to be boiled as the guests arrive.  The toot of the kettle whistle is part of the party atmosphere.  I love the clink of dainty tea cups served with tiny tea spoons.  Teas can be for two or a room full.  I always keep a package of special cookies in my pantry for spur of the moment teas.

 

Teas are an easy way to show hospitality to ladies as well as men.  Tea rooms are springing up all over the country and ladies are digging out their grandmother’s tea cup collections from the attic. Bakeries and gourmet grocery stores are offering all sorts of delightful items that can be picked up on the way home from errands.  

“If you are cold, tea will warm you,

If you are heated, it will cool you,

If you are depressed, it will cheer you,

If you are excited, it will calm you.”

- William E. Gladstone (1809-1898)

TWO TYPES OF TEAS:

 

Basic afternoon tea   served 2:00- 4:00 PM

High Tea   served like a light supper at 5:00 - 7:00 PM

 

 

Most all of these menu items can be bought already prepared at the local grocery store. The sandwiches can be labor intensive but do not have to be. Most of the time I just serve fancy cookies and sliced fruit. I keep Pepperidge Farm cookies in my pantry all the time so friends can drop by for a “spot of tea” on a moment’s notice.

 

There is a marvelous web site where you can go to get tea ideas: www.teaforallreasons.com. This is maintained by my friend Marsha Richards who gives tea seminars and has more teapots and cups than anyone I know. You will find everything you need at this web site to put on a perfect tea.

COFFEES

 

Coffees are a simple American hospitality event that can occur on the spur of the moment. A fresh pot and a couple of mugs are all that’s needed.  Add some cookies or a piece of coffee cake from your freezer or the store and you are all set.  Add some whipped cream on top of your coffee and it will seem real special.

Start collecting special tea cups when you travel or purchase collector cups like these from presidential china.   These are Lincoln’s and Jefferson’s cups.