Simple Pleasures: Indulging in Teatime
Plump cushions, dainty tea trays filled with all manner of treats and, of course, wonderfully hot, strong tea ... what's not to love? If you don't already have teatime at your house, this daily tradition is worth adopting. From the poshest tea service to comforting tea and toast in bed, here are a bevy of ideas for adopting this age-old ritual.
A Very Brief History of Teatime
Although tea (the beverage) is enjoyed all over the world, and carries with it many different customs, the particular tradition of tea (the meal) has its origins in England in the mid-1800s. A few variations on the teatime ritual include afternoon tea, cream tea and high tea.
Afternoon tea is the most formal tea. In the States, we mistakenly call it high tea, when in fact that is a much more casual affair. Afternoon tea is served between 4 and 6 p.m. and typically includes fancy tea sandwiches, small cakes, scones, pastries, perhaps crumpets, and hot tea — this is the occasion to bring out Grandma's china and the silver wedding tea service.
Cream tea is a simpler variation on afternoon tea, typically enjoyed in countryside tearooms and at home. Like afternoon tea, cream tea is served between 4 and 6 p.m. It generally includes hot tea, scones, clotted cream and jam.
High tea is the heartiest and least formal tea, taking the place of an early dinner. High tea is typically served at home between 5 and 7 p.m., and might include a main dish, bread and butter, cake and hot tea.
A proper afternoon tea. If you want to re-create that luxury tea-shop experience at home, start by preparing your space. Try pulling a small table up to a sunny window and tucking a few chairs around it for cozy seating.
If you want to decorate a space solely for the purpose of enjoying afternoon tea, you can't go wrong with De Gournay wallpaper and a matched pair of elegant settees, as shown here.
What and how to pour. The one constant for teatime is the tea itself, which should be served hot and freshly brewed, with a small pitcher of milk and a bowl of sugar on the side, plus lemon for those who prefer their tea straight.
Preheating your teapot will help keep the tea hot as long as possible. To do that, fill the pot with hot water from the tap while you are waiting for the kettle to boil. When the kettle is ready, pour the hot water out of your teapot, put in your tea (one tablespoon of loose tea per cup, plus one "for the pot") and then pour in the hot water.
Once your tea has brewed, put a strainer over your cup and pour the tea through. Whether to add milk before or after the tea is a hotly debated issue!
What to nibble. If you enjoy baking and love tea, it would serve you well to learn a good basic scone recipe by heart. Scones are quick to prepare and absolutely the best when pulled hot from the oven.
For those of us in the States, it may be hard to find the clotted cream that is traditionally slathered over warm scones. You can make your own or just use good butter.
For those of us who are not bakers, fresh scones from a local bakery and a few homemade tea sandwiches are a close second to from-scratch teatime treats. Of course, you can also make teatime your own by introducing your favorite treats.
Tea in bed. Stuck at home with the sniffles? Repair to the bed with a big mug of hot tea with lemon and honey, and a plateful of toast.
Place the pot within reach on your nightstand and lie back on a gigantic mountain of pillows. Put on a favorite podcast or radio show to zone out to.
Refill your cup as needed; worry about crumbs later.
Tea break for one. Take a break from weekend house chores to enjoy a cup of tea on your patio or porch. Taking an extra moment to snip a bloom from the flower pot, place it in a bud vase and carry the whole affair out on a tray will make it extra special.
And no one will tell if you decide what you really want is iced green tea and cookies.
Cozy tea and a book. Cream tea in the living room would be even better when accompanied by a roaring fire and a good book. Pile a platter high with fresh scones (homemade or store bought and warmed) and jam, and a pot of your favorite brew. Snuggle up under a warm throw and put on a bit of soft music for ambience.
Breakfast tea. Enjoy your first cup of the day in a cheerful breakfast nook, accompanied by soft-boiled eggs and toast soldiers. If you have a hand-knit teapot cozy or cute little egg cups, now would be the time to use them.
Holiday tea. Less stressful than a full-scale dinner party, and less rowdy than a cocktail party, the holiday tea is a sophisticated alternative. Think about planning yours now, to give friends and family ample time to pencil it in on their busy holiday calendars. On party day set up big trays and tiered cake stands full of small savories and sweets, and offer tea plus perhaps some hot cider or wassail.
Teatime around the world. The British and Irish traditions are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to teatime. Tea is steeped (sorry, couldn't help it) in ritual throughout the world, from Japan to Indonesia, Morocco and beyond. So if a proper afternoon tea with crumpets and jam is not your style, perhaps sipping green tea from a floor-cushion perch in your backyard teahouse will better suit you. Or maybe you would prefer a refreshing mint tisane served in tiny glasses while lounging Moroccan-style. There really is a teatime ritual for everyone; you just need to find yours.
Tell us: Do you have a favorite teatime ritual? Please share details in the Comments!
Next: See a tea ceremony–inspired tiny home
