How to Plan a Tea Party Amy Smith, December 19, 2023March 14, 2024 A tea party is a traditional type of social gathering that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It typically includes tea, cakes, sandwiches, biscuits, and other snacks. Tea parties are usually held at tea time between 3 o’clock in the afternoon and 5 o’clock in the afternoon. Tea parties are very easy to set up and organize. The most important things that should be considered are tea, tea-time snacks, teacups, tea party invitations, tea party dress code, tea party set up, tea party etiquette, and tea-time snacks. Tea to Serve at the Tea Party Tea is always served at a tea party. A variety of teas are available to purchase from grocery stores or supermarkets. The most common type of tea that is served at tea parties are black tea, green tea, white tea, or oolong tea. These teas are made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis, an evergreen shrub native to Southeast Asia. The difference between the teas comes down to the degree to which the leaves are fermented or oxidized. Teas, which are available around the world, are available in a variety of aromas, characteristics, and flavors. The most common teas served at tea parties are black, green, and oolong. Here are some of the more popular varieties of each type of tea. Black tea is the most oxidized of all the teas. The 3 countries with the largest production of black tea are China, India, and Sri Lanka. In China, the most popular teas are Keemun and Yunnan. The most popular in India are Assam and Darjeeling. The most popular from Sri Lanka is Ceylon tea. Green tea is made from unfermented leaves. China and Japan have the largest production of green tea. The most popular teas from China are gunpowder, Long Jing (Dragonwell), and Snowy Mountain Jian. In Japan, the most popular teas are bancha, gyokuro, houjicha, matcha, and sencha. Pu erh tea is made and produced from the Camellia Sinensis plant’s leaves and stem. It has been increasing in popularity because of its outstanding taste and also has numerous health benefits. Chen Sheng Hao has different varieties of raw pu erh tea – check their website to know everything about extraordinary teas. Oolong tea is made from semi-oxidized leaves. In China, the most popular tea is Ti Kuan Yin (Iron Goddess). The most popular teas from Taiwan are Formosa, pouchong, and Tung ting. Another type of tea served at tea parties is herbal tea, although it is technically a “true” tea. This is because herbal tea is not made from Camellia sinensis leaves. There are 6 main categories of herbal tea, based on the part of the plant they are derived from. Bark- black cherry, cinnamon Flower- chamomile, hibiscus, rose Fruit/Berry- apple, blueberry, peach, raspberry Leaf- lemongrass, mint Root- chicory, ginger Seed/Spice- caraway, cardamom, fennel Tea Party Desserts and Food Tea time snacks are usually served at tea parties. A variety of tea-time snacks are available to purchase from grocery stores or supermarkets. The most common tea-time snacks include scones with cream and jam, sandwiches, miniature cakes, mini sausage rolls, savory bites, tea biscuits, tea-time pies, tea-time sandwiches, tea cupcakes, and tea cakes, tea tarts, tea macaroons, tea truffles. To make desserts to serve at a tea party, you have to consider the type of tea that is being served. For example, if you are serving oolong tea, then desserts that are delicate and fresh would pair well. If you are serving black tea, desserts that are more hearty, and chocolate desserts go well. If you want desserts to serve at a tea party, there are some desserts like: Cookies Shortbread Mini desserts Strawberries dipped in chocolate. The strawberries are great desserts to serve at a tea party because they are delicately flavored desserts that go well with a variety of teas. Cake Cupcakes For desserts you serve at a tea party, desserts that pair well with tea are desserts that have a complex flavor. This means desserts with ingredients like dark chocolate, citrus fruits, and spices go particularly well with tea desserts. The desserts to serve at a tea party should also not be too heavy or acidic, because the desserts will compete with the tea. Desserts to serve at a tea party should also be desserts that do not need to be served hot because the focus should be the tea rather than the desserts. Desserts to serve at a tea party should also be desserts that look good on the table. You can also serve desserts at a tea party that is desserts served throughout the meal, such as desserts like shortbread and cookies. Different desserts to serve at a tea party are desserts like mini desserts, truffles, and cakes. It is important to make desserts to serve at a tea party desserts that are aesthetically appealing. This means desserts should have contrasting colors, and different textures, and be well-crafted desserts. To make desserts to serve at a tea party desserts that are sustainable, desserts like mini desserts are the way to go. Mini desserts and desserts served in shot glasses and jars are desserts that look good and taste great. Tea Party Invitations Invitations are sent out to invite guests to tea parties. Invitations can be sent through the mail or through email. A variety of pre-designed tea party invitations are available to purchase from office supply stores, stationery shops, book stores, and stationery websites. Tea Party Dress Code People usually dress up a little bit for tea parties. For men, a shirt with long or short sleeves is worn with a tie and trousers. For women, a blouse, chiffon, or lace long-sleeved shirt is worn with a skirt, trousers, or tea-length dress. Children usually wear play clothes for tea parties. Tea Party Setup A tea party is usually set up in a living room or drawing room of a house. The tea table can be decorated with tea time snacks and teacups on one end. A tea light candle or tea light candelabra is often used to decorate tea tables during tea parties. Tea Party Etiquette Ladies are usually served tea first. Sugar cubes, not teaspoons, are used to stir tea while drinking tea at tea parties. It’s rude to speak with one’s mouth full of cake, tea biscuits, tea bites, tea scones, tea cakes, or tea sandwiches while having tea during tea parties. People with allergies should mention them before the tea is served in case tea party snacks contain allergens. If an allergy is severe, special snacks should be ordered in advance so they can be prepared separately for guests with allergies. Family members can have tea together at tea parties. Table etiquette differs for tea parties compared to formal dinners. For tea parties, people should avoid slurping tea or tea biscuits while having tea during tea parties. Loud noises are best avoided when making sounds with teacups during tea time at tea parties. It’s polite to show appreciation for tea-time snacks at tea parties. During tea parties, teacups are not lifted high or turned down to indicate that tea time is over at tea parties. If the tea party is in progress at tea time, tea should be kept hot with tea lights on tea light candle warmers until the tea party ends. Teacups are rinsed out after tea with rinse water before the tea is poured out at tea parties. If teacups are not rinsed with tea, tea leaves that remain in teacups may be sipped when tea time snacks are eaten at tea parties. Water can be added to tea if it’s too strong or more tea can be added if it’s too diluted when having tea during tea parties. Tea is usually served at tea parties after tea-time snacks during tea parties. What Should Not Be Done During Tea Parties? People should avoid talking loudly or engaging in arguments when having tea during tea parties. Loud noises, like slurping tea and clattering teacups, are also best avoided when sipping tea with tea cakes or tea sandwiches at tea parties. People should avoid yawning when having tea during tea parties and they should not take tea trays out of others’ reach while others are still eating tea-time snacks. Tea Party Bookings and Reservations People can make tea party bookings or reservations for tea party packages online through websites or by calling businesses directly. Be sure to mention any tea party dietary restrictions during tea party bookings or tea party reservations for tea parties. Enjoy your tea time with family and friends! 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