How to host a perfect tea party?
From little girls pretending to drink tea with their dolls to the Mad Hatter’s tea party in Alice in Wonderland to a nice little garden setting where you catch up with your family and friends over a relaxed afternoon, tea parties just bring that smile on your lips. A time honoured tradition of refinement and elegance, this season, Commonfloor celebrates the simple pleasures of life – starting with hosting a perfect Tea Party. We bring you tips – from a quick checklist on what your tea table should have to the recipe of brewing the perfect pot of tea.
For your invite, customizable teabags or small boxes of tea cookies make adorable invitations.
Time and location:
Choose an appropriate time to host your tea party. Afternoon is still the most popular and traditional time of the day for tea parties, serving as an opportunity to enjoy some delicious snacks and lovingly-brewed tea before dinner.
China:
No tea party would be complete without the right accessories, so make sure you’re equipped with a cake stand, your best crockery, and a lovely tablecloth with decorations to match.
Having the right china is really important – It doesn’t matter if the whole table setting is mismatched – but you should make sure you have matching trios. Try to have a colour theme running and having delicate, fine bone china will bring a hint of vintage elegance to your part.
Choose real table linens and napkins over paper or plastic ones if at all possible. Accent with lace and pastels.
What your Tea Table should have:
Centerpiece – Keep fresh flowers or small plants below eye level.
Clotted cream bowl and spoon; jam jar and spoon; butter dish and knife – Shallow glass or ceramic bowls, compote dishes, and even saucer champagne glasses add sparkle.
Cozy – This colorful padded or quilted fabric covers your teapot to keep the contents piping hot.
Creamer or pitcher – Used for serving milk, this piece usually matches the sugar bowl.
Lemon plate and fork – Any small plate may be used; place a two-pronged fork atop thinly sliced lemon.
Pedestal cake stand – Line the surface with a napkin or doily.
Strainer and stand – Use these to remove loose tea and to prevent drips from staining the tablecloth.
Sugar bowl – The lid is
removed and a spoon, tongs, or sugar shell is placed inside. If serving honey, use a small pitcher.
Teacups, saucers, and plates – Pieces need not match as long as they complement each other and share common colors.
Teapot – Silver is the queen of metals, but a ceramic pot, pottery, or bone china holds heat better. Use a pot large enough to pour each guest one cup of tea, but not too heavy to lift easily. Add a second, smaller pot filled with hot water for diluting strong tea.
Tiered server – Stack, from the top down, with scones, sandwiches, and pastries.
Tray – Choose one to reflect the formal or informal nature of your party. The tray should be big enough to hold “inedible necessities.”
Waste bowl – This is any small, wide-mouthed bowl in which the cold tea dregs may be dumped.
Consider bringing your dining room chairs outside for the event. This will make you and your guests feel more sophisticated than if you all were sitting in lawn or outdoor chairs.
Commonfloor recommends:
As your centrepiece:
When herb gardens overflow with more than is needed in any kitchen, why not use the extra yield in a fragrant centerpiece? Mix shapes and textures, and add color with edible flowers and herb blossoms.
Tea:
Making a good pot of tea is so important! Try and get your hands on some loose leaf tea (English Breakfast & Earl Grey are a popular choice). It will give you the ‘real tea’ experience and will taste so much better compared to everyday teabags. Remember to also serve a range of teas to suit different tastes and include lemon slices, sugar, and cream to accompany the tea.
How to brew the perfect pot of tea:
Firstly, warm your teapot with hot water. Drain the water and place as many teaspoons of loose tea as there are people drinking it. So if you are preparing tea for two – put two heaped teaspoons of loose leafs into the pot. You will be surprised how strong the tea can get.
Leave the tea to steep for 5-7 minutes – it is important you wait so the flavours are released and you have a great cup of tea!
Have a selection of tasty treats available, both of the sweet and savory variety. Dainty sandwiches, fresh veggies with dip, scrumptious scones and cupcakes will keep your guests fed and happy.
