The Art and Proper Etiquette of Afternoon Tea

Etiquette Series, Volume II, The Art and Proper Etiquette of Afternoon Tea, was written out of love for tea. It is dedicated to tea connoisseurs who love going out for Afternoon Tea in beautiful teahouses and dining on delicious scones, savories, petits fours, and of course, sipping their favorite brew of tea. In The Art and Proper Etiquette of Afternoon Tea, explore the world of tea etiquette along with carefully selected recipes that will become a cherished part of your repertoire. 

With beautiful photographs, the prettiest china, gleaming silver, and floral bouquets, The Art and Proper Etiquette of Afternoon Tea will take the reader through the history of Victorian Afternoon Tea, High Tea, Formal Afternoon Tea, Cream Tea and other styles of tea. It presents historic individuals who influenced the development of tea. Learn how to prepare a “Proper” tea at home, how to brew the perfect pot of tea and prepare scones, savories, and petits fours. Instruction is also provided on formal and informal invitations, how to set a buffet tea table for a large event, and how to set a tea tray for an intimate tea for two. The Art and Proper Etiquette of Afternoon Tea contains guidelines on table settings, serving techniques, dining with stemware, teacups and saucers, and dining with finger foods. Continental and American style dining are illustrated by easy-to-follow diagrams depicting utensil rest and finished positions. Information on entertaining, napkin etiquette, and healthy organic tea recipes with nutritional information is also provided. 

Whether enjoying a cup of tea in the morning, the afternoon, or the evening, this wonderful companion never fails us. It warms us when we are cold. It soothes us when we are weary. It lends sophistication and grace to our gatherings. Tea can be counted on to always save the day and bring the proper perspective to each day’s challenges. 

So today, as with everyday, let us raise our cup to the hungry Duchess of Bedford who experienced that “sinking feeling” which she remedied by dining in her boudoir with tea, cakes, tarts, and biscuits. Thank you Duchess…and thank you Queen Victoria for popularizing “teatime” and making it a regular pastime of the proper English Lady and helping to inspire this book.