> I always wanted to like things English but never could reshape my soul for
> them. But I admire the quality of the inner logic. Its like a scientific
> theory that you admire for its elaborate and clever structure but just
> cannot make yourself believe a word of it :)))))))))
> With your permission I will repost and may be translate this piece into
> Russian for my favorite Russian teatips.ru tea site, because I think you
> managed to express the soul of the English afternoon tea here the very best
> way possible.
> That slightly dull, somewhat chalky, colorless, albeit elaborate and manly
> style that I always compare with fine tall wrought-iron fences and gates of
> the late 18-early 19 century palaces and it fits the subject perfectly. When
> non-brits try to write this way it just feels too gay. :)
>
> Sasha.
>
>
> "HobbesOxon" googlemail.com> wrote in message
> news:1167322132.999764.48420@n51g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...

>> The actual tea as such is a minor part, and doesn't require as much
>> attention as if you're serving someone familiar with Chinese tea.
>> While the event of afternoon tea is something of an institution with
>> which most people will have some familiarity, the actual leaf you use
>> is a secondary concern. Remember that you're trying to appeal to a
>> broad range of tastes, so don't pick something too far from the
>> mainstream (such as lapsang souchong, Earl Grey, etc.). Darjeeling is
>> a classic for afternoon tea; or pick a robust, unchallenging blend.
>>
>> Far more important is the attention that you pay to where you serve
>> tea, how you serve tea, and in what you serve tea. If you're billing
>> it as "afternoon tea", use your best china: a delicate, appealing pot,
>> pleasant cups, matching saucers, and matching plates if you can. At
>> the very least, don't use mugs / saucerless cups, or anything stained
>> or chipped, if you can avoid it. It's time to break out your "Sunday
>> best". There's no right answer, but the more effort you put in, the
>> more honour you're paying your guests, and the more touched they'll be.
>>
>> Standard issue afternoon tea usually comes with some home-made (by
>> you!) scones, halved, and placed on a central plate. A small selection
>> of jams (not marmalade) in small pots (with small serving spoons). A
>> few curls of butter (not margarine or sunflower spread) placed in
>> another dish. Most people would rather have a crumbling,
>> poorly-constructed scone made by you than something androgynous bought
>> from a shop. It doesn't matter if you got it wrong, but at least you
>> tried. Never, ever serve "store food" (i.e., bought pre-made from a
>> store) at afternoon tea - it's a great way to get people to question
>> your taste. Officially, store food is for convenient only, and
>> something one eats when one must. Definitely not at afternoon tea. I
>> have known people to never return to a hotel based solely on the fact
>> that the cakes were obviously store-bought.
>>
>> Crustless small sandwiches (quarter-slice triangles) and small cream
>> cakes are always good. We don't usually take muffins and those sorts
>> of small baked goods for afternoon tea, but a Victoria Sponge or
>> similar can be a classic. Delicate biscuits *perhaps*, but they're
>> getting close to being categorised as "store food" unless they're
>> particularly fine. Of course, home-made biscuits are great (but never
>> cookies, which are anathema to afternoon tea).
>>
>> Offer a single jug of good milk (of any variety as long as it's not
>> 100%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% skimmed - semi-skimmed is least controversial these days), and
>> have a bowl of brown and white rugged-cut sugar lumps (ideally with
>> serving tongs). One little plate per place, butterknife, teaspoon,
>> cup-and-saucer, napkin.
>>
>> Pick a pleasant place for tea, with some pleasant unintrusive music
>> (fresh and gentle). Clear and clean the table, pick a decent
>> tablecloth. Unless you're going for a rustic farmhouse-style event,
>> don't pick the kitchen table (and only go for a rustic farmhouse-style
>> event if you have access to something approximating a rustic
>> farmhouse). Fresh flowers in a small, understated arrangement are just
>> fine.
>>
>> The poster above said it best: accomodate, don't capitulate. You're
>> the host, and what you pick is, by default, what they will have. They
>> have no choice, you're the boss, and you shouldn't pander to their
>> every anticipated whim. Believe in yourself and have the confidence to
>> understand that they are obliged to enjoy what you serve, as long as
>> it's carefully done with no obvious tat (shop cakes, rough mugs,
>> unpleasant teapot, poor setting).
>>
>> Like Basho said, "learn the rules, then forget them". Afternoon tea is
>> all about bringing a little gentility back to the busy world, so take
>> it slowly. Prove to your guests that the art of conversation isn't
>> dead, yet. :)
>>
>> Everyone loves afternoon tea. Whether for gossip or for that
>> particularly type of profundity that usually only arises from the
>> nether regions of a pub, the fact that it is still with us is one of
>> the more encouraging aspects of modern life.
>>
>>
>> Toodlepip,
>>
>> Hobbes
>>

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