During High Tea, three courses are served: scones, tea sandwiches, and sweets. These are often complimented with all manner of delightful delicacies including double cream, jams, jellies, marmalades, fruit, sweet cream sauces and relishes. The tradition of ‘taking tea’ is steeped in lovely history and etiquette. Below are a few of our favorite etiquette points to help you enjoy ‘taking tea’, properly:
- Since it is a tea party, it is permissible to eat with your fingers. However, if an item is particularly messy (has a runny filling), then please use a fork.
- If all the courses are laid out on the table, eat them in this order: first the scones or muffins, then the tea sandwiches, and last the sweets. Think of it as a meal where you start with bread, then have the main course, but save the dessert for last.
- The spoon to the right of your plate is for tea. The spoon and/or fork at the top of your plate is for dessert.
- When serving yourself butter, double cream, jams, jellies, marmalades and sauces, put a small serving on your own plate, then spread it on your food from there. Do not put these items directly onto your food from the serving dishes.
- For scones, muffins or rolls, break off a bite-size piece, then put a small amount of jam or butter on it. If Devonshire or double cream is available, a small amount can be dabbed on after the jam. This thick cream is for scones, not tea.
- Take small, delicate bites of the tea sandwiches. Never stuff the whole thing in your mouth, even though it is small.
- If using sugar, be careful to not dip the sugar tong or sugar spoon into your tea.
- Stir sugar and/or milk with your teaspoon, then place the teaspoon on your saucer.
- When drinking tea, you may hold the cup and saucer near your chest, then take the teacup off the saucer and bring it up to your mouth to drink.
- If the tea is hot, do not blow on it. Leave your teacup on the table to cool.
- Do not stick your pinky out when drinking tea. Just hold the teacup normally.
- Hopefully, the tea will be served from teapots, rather than using individual tea bags. If there are tea bags, then there should be a small dish at your place setting on which you may place the used tea bag.
If you forget to do some things properly, do not worry about it! Just relax, enjoy the tea and the wonderful fellowship that goes with it.