How to Serve Afternoon Tea at the Drop of a Hat
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, drop the hats and enter my contest (see below).
Afternoon tea does not need to be only for special occasions. You don’t always have to dress up. Yes, it’s more work than serving chips and soda, but with a little practice and some key items on hand, you can be prepared to serve afternoon tea easily and quickly, as I did this afternoon.
I assembled the above table in about twenty minutes. It’s important to note I have a designated corner of my home that is mostly clutter-free and ready to go. Do you have one? Here’s what I did in order:
- Preheated the oven and popped in some pre-made scones straight from the freezer.
- Filled my teakettle with filtered water and set it on high to boil.
- Chose the tea I wanted to serve (Mim Darjeeling) and filled my tea sac with it.
- Set the table with two teacups and spoons, tea plates, already ironed tea-sized cloth napkins, and a filled milk and sugar set. All these items live in my kitchen cupboards so I can easily grab them.
- I picked out my teapot. Since I wanted the matching warmer, I decided on the smaller pot and filled the red carafe you see in the picture with more brew. Since this was casual, I just refilled the teapot with the tea from the carafe when we ran out. Kept our brew nice and hot!
- I pulled the scones out of the oven, placed four on a salad-size plate, remembered I had a few pieces of toffee stashed away and added them, and cut up one beautiful in-season red pear. I quickly bathed the slices in a little lemon water so they wouldn’t turn brown and added the plate of goodies to the table.
That’s it!
What didn’t I do? There are two items I would have added if they were on hand. But they weren’t and I went without. Can anyone guess? Leave a comment below and tell us what you think. I’ll send some looseleaf tea out to the first two people who guess correctly. Let the picture help you figure out what two simple items I would have added to this simple assembly of a cream tea, based on what I’ve shared here at Tea Party Girl. Good luck!
For more information about serving afternoon tea quickly, be sure to see my article, How to Build Your Tea Party Pantry.
Entry Filed under: The Tea Table
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15 Comments Add your own
1. MamaBugs | January 18th, 2008 at
The only things I think that you forgot are flowers (or something for a centerpiece), candle light and creme fraiche! *S*
Love your blog!
2. MamaBugs | January 18th, 2008 at
Oops! Did you forget spoons? Or can you just not see them?
3. MzRita | January 18th, 2008 at
Could it be something to go with the scones? Like: Creme Fraiche and Lemon Curd, and perhaps a knife?
4. MzRita | January 18th, 2008 at
One last try….
Creme Fraiche and Lemon Curd, a knife, and a floral arrangement.
5. GG | January 18th, 2008 at
Hmm, I don’t see any utensils for serving, eating, or stirring (the pics a bit small–I do see a spoon for the sugar).
Also, I’d include some butter, creme fraiche (as mentioned above), and jam or marmalade for the scones.
Some sort of place setting or arrangement to fill out the arrangement would be nice. I know it is casual but seems to be missing the additional highlights.
6. marilee | January 19th, 2008 at
honey and cinnamon candies
7. Karen | January 19th, 2008 at
What about a small favor?
8. marilee | January 20th, 2008 at
when will we know YOUR answer???
9. Brenda | January 20th, 2008 at
You forgot the spoons and people. Wish I could be in one of those chairs. Looks so cozy and intimate.
10. Kim | January 21st, 2008 at
Flowers or centerpiece and little sandwiches.
11. Kim | January 21st, 2008 at
You know, I don’t see any water glasses there, either.
12. Susan | June 23rd, 2008 at
You make this sound so easy. Today I attended a friend’s impromptu tea party. She made it seem easy too with freshly made cinnamon scone and black current tea. Yummy.
My guesses are finger sandwiches, another choice of tea, and favors. I don’t know though, would you give a favor if there are only 2 of you? I look forward to seeing what the real answer is.
13. Susan | June 23rd, 2008 at
Yes, I forgot to mention, I did enjoy the blondie brownies. My grandma used to make something similar. Thanks for the recipe.
14. Sheila | July 7th, 2008 at
Maybe tea sandwiches, lemon slices, and Devonshire cream? I know you said only two, but tea foods can be so versatile!
15. Amy | July 26th, 2008 at
I’m new at this, but my guess is spoons and some fresh flowers.
Amy
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