Tea Time

People have asked me why I would have a shop devoted to tea accessories. They simply don’t understand what could possibly be that important about drinking tea.  Patiently, I explain to them that teatime is more than just the physical aspect of drinking a beverage.  It’s the whole process that I love.  Simply put, having tea is a way to bring elegance into every day living.

One cup or a pot?  Think “Elegance.”

Are you brewing a cup for yourself or inviting a friend or friends to have tea with you?  Whether making a single cup or a pot, think “elegance”.  I have a variety of bone china teacups and mugs that I love to use.  I love the graceful look and feel of china.  There’s nothing like it to add a touch of elegance and romance to your day!

If serving tea to a group, don’t worry if you don’t have a matched set of teacups and saucers.   Mismatched sets make lovely conversation starters.  And don’t worry if your teapot doesn’t match your teacups.  A similar theme or color will work together.  For instance, I collect teacups and teapots with roses.  They do not have to be the same pattern to look beautiful together.  (You could also host a “Bring Your Own Teacup” Tea.  Each guest brings their favorite teacup and shares a little information about it.)

The setting

The tea table should be a reflection of the mood you would like to set.   Having a theme, such as a Back-To-School Tea or "Adorn Yourself With Godliness" Tea, provides an opportunity to be creative with accessories and centerpieces.  Use cloth napkins, fresh flowers (perhaps arranged in a teapot), place cards, and silver or silver-plate utensils.  A tea cozy will keep your tea warm and add ambiance.  Tea towels look lovely and protect your tablecloth from drips.   A thoughtfully set tea table encourages conversation and makes your guests feel pampered.

Even a solitary cup of tea can become a time of refreshment to body and mind when served with a linen napkin and a special demitasse spoon! 

 Choosing a tea

Tea is the dried and processed leaves of only one species of plant called camellia sinensis.  (Herbal teas are not true teas, but simply dried flowers and/or herbs. They are correctly called tisanes.)

The processing of tea is where many of the subtleties in taste, body, and overall character are created.  It involves taking the raw green leaves and deciding whether or not, and how much, oxidation (or fermentation) should take place before drying them out. Tea leaves have enzymes in their veins. When the leaf is broken, bruised, or crushed, the enzymes are exposed to the air resulting in oxidation.

There are four main methods of processing and each produces a different type of tea. These four main types are: White tea, green tea, black tea, and Oolong tea.  All are available loose or in tea bags. I prefer loose teas, but it is a personal preference.

If brewing a solitary cup, I use a tea infuser.   Fill halfway with the loose tea of your choice and place in your cup. Add boiling water and let steep according to tea recommendations and to taste.

To brew a pot, use a larger tea ball or simply add the tea to the pot and strain when pouring. Use 1 teaspoon of loose tea per cup plus 1 extra. Place in the pot, add boiling water, and let steep according to tea recommendations and to taste.

The menu

The menu for tea can be as simple as tea and scones, an assortment of sweets, or a complete meal.  The time of day and theme will dictate what you serve.  You can find recipes for tea sandwiches, scones, coffeecakes, and more in the abundance of books devoted to Tea or on the internet. (I also have a recipe page on my website.)

The etiquette

Knowing a little tea etiquette will help you feel at ease if you’ve never been to a tea before.

If seated at a table, do not lift the saucer (this is only proper if standing; then lift the saucer with the cup.)  When you taking a sip of tea do not look around at the other guests, but lower your eyes so you can see what your doing and not spill your tea down the front of your blouse or dress. 

The best way to hold a tea cup is to slip your index finger through the handle, up to almost the first knuckle, then balance and secure the cup by placing your thumb on the top of the handle and allowing the bottom of the handle to rest on your middle finger. Hold the cup lightly, by the handle - your pinky doesn't have to be extended (Contrary to popular belief, the ring and pinkie fingers should not be extended, but should rest by curving gently back toward your wrist).

When stirring your tea, use your spoon to gently swish the tea back and forth, being careful no to touch the sides of your cup, if possible. After stirring, place your spoon quietly on the saucer, behind the cup, on the right hand side under the handle. Once used, flatware should never touch the table again (to avoid staining the tablecloth).

When your cup is low try to avoid the temptation of swirling the tea in the cup.  How embarrassing if some should happen to slosh onto the tablecloth and we all know how easily tea can stain.

The clothing

Increasingly, our society is becoming casual—in appearance, attitudes, and thinking.  Casual is not a bad thing.  I love to wear jeans as much as the next person.  But, there needs to be balance.  Without the casual, elegance is not special; without elegance the world becomes mundane.  Having a tea party and dressing up for the occasion gives us a chance to experience life in a different frame of mind.  Wear a dress or a skirt paired with a lace camisole and over-blouse or jacket.  Put on heels instead of tennis shoes.  Wear make-up.  Take time to style your hair.  Put on perfume and a bracelet.  Be feminine.  Feel the elegance transform your mood and attitude!

As a hostess, you can make your guests feel pampered by wearing a tea apron while serving. 

In this fast paced world we live in, taking time to smell the roses or spending time with loved ones over a cup of tea is a respite that refreshes.   My hope is that I can inspire you do just that!