Low Tea on a Sunday

On Sunday I got invited for a low tea at my Token friends place.

I googled the definition and found the following:

In Victorian times, low tea(also called a ‘full tea’) was a tea that was typically served in a ‘parlor’ or living room type of setting using side tables, and a tea cart or tea/coffee table to serve from.

It is called so because of the tables used ~ they are lower than a dining table. It is not unusual now though, to serve a low afternoon tea at the dining room table, especially if you are serving something that may be tricky to eat or that requires silverware other than a spoon for tea.

Most teas offered in tea rooms/shops are low teas because of the nature of the food offered, but are served at a ‘high’ table.

N.B. A true high tea will be a full dinner with some or all of the following: soups, meats, casseroles, a vegetable dish or two, scones, breads, cakes and other sweets.

Although more food options are served like tea sandwiches, scones, special desserts, candies/chocolates… it is still considered like a snack. Therefore, when helping yourself or being served, do not expect a lot of food. One or two of each item is normally appropriate. Seconds may be passed or a return to the buffet table may be indicated, but the same principle applies ~ one or two of each item.

So, for a low tea party your menu will look like this:

• Tea Sandwiches
• Savory Scones ~ Scones seasoned with herbs, cheese…
• Other Appetizers
• Plain Scones served with Clotted Cream
• Sweet Scones
• Other Tea Breads ~ Banana, Zucchini…
• Tea Cakes
• Cookies
• Sweets
• And a nice hot pot of tea.

A low afternoon tea party can be set up to have all food available on a three tiered tray, laid out on a buffet, or can be served in courses.

 

The courses are served in this order:

Savories: Tea sandwiches, seasoned scones, and any other appetizers.

Scones: Plain scones, sweet scones, other tea breads.

Sweets/Pastries: Tea cakes, cookies/biscuits, confections.

We did not do it entirely correct but we still had a great time.

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• Low Tea on a Sunday (scaredmom.wordpress.com)

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