Learn about Afternoon Tea Times and the
Etiquette of this Elegant Ritual
It's tea time in the UK, and it's important to know the correct etiquette and the various afternoon tea times
It's 4 o'clock and it's time to learn the etiquette (afternoon tea and history). And nothing beats eating a freshly-baked plain scone, clotted cream and jam! If you like baking, check out our favourite chefs' recipes: how to make scones, plain ones and other scrumptuous fillings.
A History of Tea
The story of tea can be likened to the story of mankind. It includes the best of us and the worst of us. Throughout its history, tea has been used as a medicine, for meditation, as currency, as bribes and as a way of controlling uprisings. It has been responsible for wars and conflicts around the world but it has also been the setting for parties and other happy occasions. Tea has connected people from all walks of life - from the factory workers to the monks, from the leaf pluckers to Royalty, from the Chinese to the British.
The magical qualities of tea are so well-camouflaged that the leaves that create such a refreshing beverage are no more interesting than the leaves from many other shrubs. However, if they are picked at the right time, processed in the right way, packaged in a way that protects them from humidity and mould, and brewed in the proper manner, these leaves will extract the most precious of flavours, like no other.
Key topics include:
Etiquette, Afternoon tea class
Afternoon tea set: the accoutrements
The traditions & history of Afternoon tea
How tea is served at the Palace
Correct layering of your scone
How to eat finger sandwiches
Sandwiches, vegan options
Jam or cream first on a scone?
Scones, how to eat them with elegance
Why are pinkies called pinkies?
Lemon, sugar & other accompaniments
The myth of milk in first or last
How to properly hold a teacup & saucer
How to stir your tea correctly
Pinkie finger etiquette
John Montague, 4th Earl of Sandwich
Posture & Poise
Napkin placement etiquette
Use of the Patisserie fork
Tea Faux Pas
Polite tea talk
My colleagues had great fun in Kensington Garden Pavillion for an afternoon tea etiquette. We loved the information you gave us, and were impressed by your elegance :)
Thank you very much for hosting this very pleasant afternoon!
Hanneke
Thank you so much for the Afternoon Tea etiquette session. I finally know the truth behind the pinkie finger! The history of Afternoon Tea was amazing and I will be sure to use all the etiquette do's and dont's everytime I stop for afternoon tea, wherever I am in the world!
Daisy Wu
Thank you so much for the Afternoon Tea etiquette session. The group absolutely loved you and they also said you look like Anne Hathaway but prettier! Thank you again!
Chinese agent
for a large group of Chinese business people and their families
