I was asked to do an English Tea (they would provide the food). So, I looked to see what some of the top English tea companies were. The gal who asked to have the tea was at one of my other English tea parties, so I wanted to add some different teas then I had at the last party.
I found this in my research...
Top 8 British Tea Brands:
1. Taylors of Harrogate Yorkshire Tea, Yorkshire tea is often regarded as Britain's most popular tea type, and Taylors of Harrogate Yorkshire Tea is no exception. Starting as a small third generation family business in 1886.
2. Tetley Tea, Largest manufacturer of tea, started in 1837 in Yorkshire.
3. PG Tips, First named 'Pre-Gest-Tea' before it was shortened, first created in 1930.
4. Twinings, Founded by Thomas Twining in 1707, Twinings tea was one of the oldest brands on the list and has a long, rich history of supplying tea to the British monarchy. It holds the world's oldest continually used company logo, and is London's longest-standing ratepayer, having occupied the same premises on the Strand since 1706.
The Queen drank Twinings Earl Grey tea with a splash of milk and no sugar.
The Queen drank Twinings Earl Grey tea with a splash of milk and no sugar.
5. Clipper, Originating in Dorset in the 1980s.
6. Tick Tock, Rooibos, a non-caffeinated tea made from the leaves of the Aspalathus linearis shrub, has been put on the map and in Britain's supermarkets shelves through Tick Tock. As well as the original tea bags, Tick Tock have also introduced an earl grey and green tea blend of the classic tea.
7. Typhoo Tea, Dubbed "The tea that doctors recommend" in the 1900s.
8. Pukka
The oldest tea in UK, rare plants have been nurtured by the same family at Tregothnan since 1334.
The first tea was grown in the UK in 1999 to put the ‘English into English Tea’ and the most British tea in history was first sold in 2005.
The first tea was grown in the UK in 1999 to put the ‘English into English Tea’ and the most British tea in history was first sold in 2005.
I decided to stick with Earl Grey- it is a classic. And an English Breakfast is a must at an English tea. I then added Lady Grey and an herbal tea from Pukka. Then the fifth tea was a request for the Butterfly Pea Tea. So, I made my Purple Palmer.
As a reminder- black tea can have the water at 212 degrees, but green tea should never be over 200 degrees. You steep black tea for 4-5 minutes and green tea for only 3 minutes. Keeping these things in mind will help you get a great cuppa.
I like to write out the teas that we are having for two reasons. One, if there are any allergies, guests can see that is in the tea. Second, since I don't sell the teas, if someone really likes a tea they know where it is from.
Twinings, Lady Grey (Black) Black
tea, orange peel, lemon peel, and other natural citrus and natural flavors.
(Twinings was started in England in 1706)
Taylors of Harrogate, Earl Grey (Black) Tea leaves, natural oil of bergamot (Taylors started in England in 1886)
Clipper, Big Ben English Breakfast (Black) Ceylon Black Tea from Sri Lanka (Clipper was started in 1984 in Dorest England by a husband-and-wife team in their kitchen)
Pukka Vanilla Chai (Herbal- Caffeine Free) Cinnamon bark, ginger root, licorice root, sweet fennel seed, cardamon pod, and vanilla flavors. (Pukka was started in England in 2001)
Kerrie’s Cup of Tea, Purple Palmer (Green tea) Green tea, Spearmint, chamomile blossom, moringa leaf, lavender, minute maid lemonade. (Started in 2023)
Taylors of Harrogate, Earl Grey (Black) Tea leaves, natural oil of bergamot (Taylors started in England in 1886)
Clipper, Big Ben English Breakfast (Black) Ceylon Black Tea from Sri Lanka (Clipper was started in 1984 in Dorest England by a husband-and-wife team in their kitchen)
Pukka Vanilla Chai (Herbal- Caffeine Free) Cinnamon bark, ginger root, licorice root, sweet fennel seed, cardamon pod, and vanilla flavors. (Pukka was started in England in 2001)
Kerrie’s Cup of Tea, Purple Palmer (Green tea) Green tea, Spearmint, chamomile blossom, moringa leaf, lavender, minute maid lemonade. (Started in 2023)
I made myself an iced Earl Grey to enjoy during the tea. Iced Earl Grey is one of my favorite iced teas.
I packed up my stuff, I have really learned to slim down and only take what I need. I used to lug way to much stuff to my parties. I only had 3 bags this time, so I was kind of proud of myself, lol.
It was a cold day, but thankfully the snow was off the roads. I am not a fan of driving in the snow and I know that is the risk when you plan a tea in January. But, I was blessed to have great driving weather.
The table was beautifully set. They even had a seat for me, although I did not sit, I did have some treats. The china was gorgeous. It is hard to show in the photo, but they are hand painted pieces.
WHEN DID AFTERNOON TEA START:
The concept of Afternoon Tea appeared during the mid-19th century. Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, introduced the concept of Afternoon Tea in 1840. The Duchess got hungry around four o'clock in the afternoon, and the evening's meal wasn't until 8 pm. That meant there was a long time between lunch and dinner
They out did themselves with the food! It was beautiful!
Since there were 12 ladies I did two pots of each kind of tea for the table.
Hint- when brewing a pot of tea, put hot water in the tea pot and swish it around to heat up the tea pot and keep it warmer longer.
I also had tea warmers on the table to help keep the tea warm. I had tea light candles going under the warmers - these are a great addition to keeping the tea warm while on the table.
We all got a chuckle out of the Afternoon Tea Guidelines I found on line. I heard several of the ladies later checking their tea cup handles and asking again how to hold their cup.
Rules for Afternoon Tea:
*Do not call Afternoon Tea, High Tea
*After sitting down, put your purse on your lap or behind you against the chair back.
*Unfold napkin and make sure to place it on your lap.
*Never, ever use your napkin as a handkerchief, and only dap, don't wipe
*Sugar is placed in your teacup first, then thinly sliced lemon.
*Stirring backwards and forwards (never in a circular motion, one should never touch the sides of the cup).
*Do not learn forward, bring the cup to you, leaving the saucer on the table.
*Dress smart causal, no jeans, t-shirts, or sneakers
*Do not put your pinky out, do not cradle the cup, hold on to the handle, but your fingers are not meant to go through the handle (To hold your teacup, place your index and middle fingers on the back side of the handle and put your thumb over the front side. Your fingers and thumb may meet each other through the tea handle, but you will want to keep your fingers from curling through the handle itself. Support your teacup with your ring and pinky fingers — and remember to keep that pinky down.)
*Do not drink tea with the spoon in it
*Do not put the spoon in your mouth
*Do not lick your fingers
*Do not blow on the tea, let cool on your saucer or add milk
*Never fill the tea cup to the top, only 3/4 full
*Tea is served by the host
*Take small sips, never slurp or swish your tea
*Milk and sugar only goes in black tea, not white, oolong, or green- do not add cream to your tea
*Eat with your fingers, take small bites, even if it all fits in your mouth, take small bites
*Eat sandwiches first, then scones, the desserts
*The knife is for clotted cream and jam
*Break off small pieces of the scone, it is not a sandwich
*Never dunk your scone in the tea
*Used utensils never go on the table, they go on the side of your plate
*You want to make sure that the little teacup handle stays parallel to your body. This means that it will either face the direction of 3 o'clock or 9 o'clock.
*Putting any utensils you’ve used in the 4:20 position lets the server know you’re done with your meal and that it can be taken away. Fork tines should be up and knife blade facing you
*When you get up the napkin should go on your chair, not on the table
*Sip from the same spot so the entire rim doesn't have lipstick stains
*Do not call Afternoon Tea, High Tea
*After sitting down, put your purse on your lap or behind you against the chair back.
*Unfold napkin and make sure to place it on your lap.
*Never, ever use your napkin as a handkerchief, and only dap, don't wipe
*Sugar is placed in your teacup first, then thinly sliced lemon.
*Stirring backwards and forwards (never in a circular motion, one should never touch the sides of the cup).
*Do not learn forward, bring the cup to you, leaving the saucer on the table.
*Dress smart causal, no jeans, t-shirts, or sneakers
*Do not put your pinky out, do not cradle the cup, hold on to the handle, but your fingers are not meant to go through the handle (To hold your teacup, place your index and middle fingers on the back side of the handle and put your thumb over the front side. Your fingers and thumb may meet each other through the tea handle, but you will want to keep your fingers from curling through the handle itself. Support your teacup with your ring and pinky fingers — and remember to keep that pinky down.)
*Do not drink tea with the spoon in it
*Do not put the spoon in your mouth
*Do not lick your fingers
*Do not blow on the tea, let cool on your saucer or add milk
*Never fill the tea cup to the top, only 3/4 full
*Tea is served by the host
*Take small sips, never slurp or swish your tea
*Milk and sugar only goes in black tea, not white, oolong, or green- do not add cream to your tea
*Eat with your fingers, take small bites, even if it all fits in your mouth, take small bites
*Eat sandwiches first, then scones, the desserts
*The knife is for clotted cream and jam
*Break off small pieces of the scone, it is not a sandwich
*Never dunk your scone in the tea
*Used utensils never go on the table, they go on the side of your plate
*You want to make sure that the little teacup handle stays parallel to your body. This means that it will either face the direction of 3 o'clock or 9 o'clock.
*Putting any utensils you’ve used in the 4:20 position lets the server know you’re done with your meal and that it can be taken away. Fork tines should be up and knife blade facing you
*When you get up the napkin should go on your chair, not on the table
*Sip from the same spot so the entire rim doesn't have lipstick stains
One lady I was told did not like tea, only coffee, and not to be offended if she didn't have any tea. But, she tried it and she liked it. I love when that happens!
Another fun fact-
Milk in tea?
Why do English put milk in their tea? When did it start? The answer is that in the 17th and 18th centuries the china cups tea was served in were so delicate they would crack from the heat of the tea. Milk was added to cool the liquid and stop the cups from cracking. This is when the tea is already made...not making tea in the cup. Putting the milk in first lowers the water temp and you will not get an accurate cuppa.
The tea industry estimates that 96% of tea in Britain is made with teabags. Nobody, but nobody, puts the milk in before the teabag, and then adds the hot water. When you make tea with a teabag, you make the tea first, and then you add the milk.
What milk do the British use? Explaining "Most English drink tea with a little milk, but never with cream or the high-fat milk that Americans put in their coffee. Low-fat milk is a much better choice. Make sure you use white sugar.
The ladies had so much fun. I got many hugs and thanks afterwards.
I was sent home with some treats... I did share some with my parents too.
I chuckled when one lady said she saw my car the other day in town and noticed the queen on it. She wondered who had that car.
Let me know if you want me to come to a tea for your friends or family.
For educational teas for groups over 20 people I charge $8 a person.
Over 50- $7 a person and over 100 - $6 a person.
.60 a mile, the first 5 miles are free.
Message me for more information. I can custom the tea party to whatever you are looking for...
