Skip to content
Search
Cuisine Noir Magazine
Support Our Work - Donate
Support Our Work - Donate
  • Food & Drink
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Recipes
  • Book Grub
  • Events
  • Marketplace
  • Print
  • Podcast
  • More
    • The Culinary Scoop (blog)
    • Black Wineries
    • Videos
    • CN Review
    • Donate
Cuisine Noir Magazine
  • Food & Drink
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Recipes
  • Book Grub
  • CN Review
  • Marketplace
  • Print
  • The Culinary Scoop (blog)
  • Events
  • Black Wineries
  • Videos
Support Our Work - Donate
Support Our Work - Donate
Search
Cuisine Noir Magazine
Support Our Work - Donate
Support Our Work - Donate
  • Food & Drink
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Recipes
  • Book Grub
  • Events
  • Marketplace
  • Print
  • Podcast
  • More
    • The Culinary Scoop (blog)
    • Black Wineries
    • Videos
    • CN Review
    • Donate
Cuisine Noir Magazine
  • Food & Drink
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Recipes
  • Book Grub
  • CN Review
  • Marketplace
  • Print
  • The Culinary Scoop (blog)
  • Events
  • Black Wineries
  • Videos
Support Our Work - Donate
Support Our Work - Donate

Tea Party Etiquette

Tea party
Photo credit: Aiselin82
February 29, 2012
Tina Hayes
Share this article
  18    
18
Shares

As spring officially starts, many will welcome the season with a tea party.  As the flowers begin to bloom and the leaves return to the trees, it is the perfect time to host or attend a tea party.

As with dining etiquette, it is important to exhibit proper manners at a tea party.  Your decorum will be on display and here are some guidelines to assist you.

Tea Time – High Tea vs. Afternoon Tea

There is a misunderstanding in America between high tea and afternoon tea.  An afternoon tea, also referred to as “low tea,” takes place between the hours of 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.  At this tea, one is often served scones, tea sandwiches and sweets.  High tea happens between 5:00-7:00 p.m.  It is known as “meat tea” because it is observed around dinner time and heartier foods are likely served.  High and low (afternoon) teas relate to the height of the table the tea is served on.  High tea is served at the dinner table, whereas low tea is consumed at a low coffee table near sofas and lounge chairs.

Tea Attire

The customary attire for men and women attending a tea is semi-formal.  Often ladies sport hats, gloves and brightly colored suits and dresses.  Black is never appropriate for a tea party.  It is okay for a lady to wear her hat at the table; however, gloves should be removed before the tea service begins.

Tea Service

The pouring of tea is done by the host or assigned to a close friend.  The server of tea serves from the right.  Tea is to be stirred gently in a half-moon motion without hitting the rim of the cup. To stir in a half-moon motion, place your spoon at the six o'clock position and move upward toward the twelve o'clock position. The teaspoon is never left in the cup.  If you use a tea bag, discard it on a designated dish or your saucer.  Tea is not to be blown or slurped.  Sip it delicately and savor the flavors.

The Pinkie Myth

The correct way to hold a teacup that has handles is to position your first one or two fingers through the handle and place the thumb above the handle.  The other fingers follow the curve of the hand.  There is no need to stick out one's pinkie finger.  This was done when tea cups did not have handles.  The cups were held using the thumb and middle finger, then balanced with the pinkie lifted upward.

RELATED: Tips on Throwing a Successful Dinner Party

Tea Party Foods

Scones, crustless sandwiches and desserts are the traditional foods served at a tea party.  These foods are nicely displayed on a three-tiered curate stand.  The scones are placed on the top tier; the sandwiches are in the middle, followed by the sweets on the bottom.  Tea foods are also eaten in this order.  There is no need to use forks when eating scones and tea sandwiches; however use a knife to place jams and creams on your plate first, then to spread on the scones.  Even though tea sandwiches are petite, they are not to be eaten whole.  Take small bites.

I would love to hear about the tea parties you have attended or plan to attend or host soon.  Post a comment and share your experience regarding the theme of the party, unique foods, your favorite tea, etc.

  • under Food & Drink Rhonda McCullough-Gilmore: Memories of Bernie Mac & Cooking with Love
  • LaTocha Scott-Bivens - Xcape’s and vegan enthusiast
    under Food & Drink Why Xcape’s LaTocha Scott-Bivens Wants to “Veganize” Your Menu
  • Celebrity chef and The Great Soul Food Cook-Off Champion Razia Sabour
    under Black Chefs , Food & Drink Celebrity Chef Razia Sabour Honors Soul Food’s History with Competition Win
  • Soul Food Restaurants by Felicia owners Joselino Neto Lima de Barros, Feliciana de Ceita Neto de Lima and Jose Feliciano Lima de Barros
    under Black Chefs , Food & Drink A Mother’s Dream Inspires Soul Food Restaurant by Felicia in Lisbon
Share this article
Tina Hayes

Tina is the founder and owner of The School of Etiquette and Decorum in Antioch, CA. She is a passionate instructor dedicated to providing quality and professional etiquette training.

Related Articles

Loading...
Kitchen designer Caren Rideau
Food & Drink Lifestyle

Kitchen Designer Caren Rideau Creates Spaces Inspired by Food, Culture and Wine

Lifestyle

Tips on Throwing a Successful Dinner Party

Bay area entrepreneur Shonda Scott
Lifestyle

Food and Family are Recipe to Shonda Scott’s Community Connections

Be the first to know about the latest online, industry updates, world news, events and promotions that connect the African diaspora through food, drink and travel.

    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertising
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertising

    #IAmCuisineNoir

    This site participates in affiliate programs. See our full disclosure for more information.

    Copyright© 2023 Cuisine Noir and The Global Food and Drink Initiative. Privacy
    Site by ACS Digital

    Any unauthorized duplication, download or reprint of images or content from this website for promotional or commercial use is strictly prohibited without written permission from The Global Food and Drink Initiative. Violators will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Trademark pending.

    YES!  We’re excited you are signing up too!  

    Get ready to receive our weekly newsletter about:

    • New articles online
    • World news and industry happenings throughout the African Diaspora
    • Mouthwatering recipes
    • Promotions and giveaways

    Right in your inbox!