English Afternoon Tea

Friday, we had a Tea Party with the children. Women from England like to wear hats so the children had the opportunity during the week to make a hat and to wear it during our Tea Party.

In preparation for the Tea Party, we talked about the different British teas and the etiquette of drinking tea.


English Afternoon Tea takes place between 2 and 5 pm.

There are three types of tea:

1) Full Tea
Four course meal:finger sandwiches, savories, scones, desert and tea.

2) Royal Tea
Same as above plus champagne or sherry

3) High Tea
Full meal around the table.

The Etiquette of Afternoon Tea

-  Pour tea holding the lid of the tea pot.
-  Fill the cups 3/4 so people have room to add milk, lemon juice or sugar.
-  Move spoon back and forth without touching the bottom or sides.
-  Put tea spoon in the saucer on the back side.
-  If your tea spills in the saucer, place a napkin in it to cover the tea. Put your cup on top.
-  Drink tea holding the cup by the handle. Do not put the pinkie finger in the air or cradle the cup with one or two hands.
-  If you are sitting, hold the cup by the handle. If you are standing, hold the saucer in one hand and the tea cup handle in the other.
-  Do not pour tea that spilled in the saucer back in the cup.
-  Do not drink from the saucer.