How to host high tea at home?

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High tea at home requires a variety of tea flavors and nibbles presented elegantly. It should start at 4 pm and include fine porcelain teacups, silver cutlery, and a wide selection of finger foods. Loose leaf tea is preferred.

When serving high tea at home, a wide assortment of tea flavors and nibbles should be presented to guests in an elegant and stylish way. A mixed and matched set of tea serving tools can be used to provide an eclectic and traditional appeal to the meal, though each piece should be made of fine china or china. Guests can feel at ease in a relaxed environment centered around a uniquely set table showcasing the foods, teas and crockery to be enjoyed throughout the afternoon.

When serving high tea at home, it should start promptly at four in the afternoon. Other serving times may vary between three and five in the afternoon, but these do not count as high tea. This occasion is differentiated from ordinary afternoon tea by the more extravagant amounts of food served. High tea is often used as a dinner replacement, depending on the type and amount of food present.

The type of tableware used during high tea at home is usually characterized by its formal nature. Traditionally fine porcelain teacups and teapots, linen napkins and silver cutlery are used. A sugar bowl and bowl of cream should also be present, as well as numerous dessert plates, dessert forks and teaspoons. The serving table can be further decorated with lace or paper doilies to hold trays of food and seasonal displays of flowers.

A wide variety of tea flavors should be offered during the afternoon tea time. This variety allows guests to sample different blends, from dark and exotic flavors to light herbal remedies, over the course of an afternoon. To create a traditional high tea at home, the tea should be loose leaf and brewed in separate small teapots. Some hosts may prefer to offer each guest their own pot and tea to enjoy for the entire occasion. Less formal high teas can include the use of tea bags, where each flavor can be sampled one cup at a time, and the teapots only hold hot water.

Any type of finger food can be served for high tea at home. These can include different types of sandwiches, petit fours, scones, beignets and egg souffles. Similar to the variety of teas made available, guests should be able to choose from a large selection of food items to fill their plates. All food should be arranged in an attractive tabletop presentation that is as beautiful to look at as it is delicious to the palate.




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