The other day, I was on a leading coffee and tea retailer’s web site, and I noticed they had a blog post titled, “How to Host the Perfect Tea Party.” They had some good suggestions on various menu items, like scones, biscotti, and tea sandwiches, and then they asked readers what they would serve at their perfect tea party. A few people wrote in, talking about what kinds of food they would serve, or who they would invite. However, no one mentioned tea! The picture that accompanied the post showed a lovely, bone China tea cup – with a tea bag hanging out of it!
Now, I completely understand the need for tea bags in certain situations, and there are quite a few good ones that are filled with whole-leaf tea. However, in my mind, there would never be a reason to have a tea party without brewing at least one pot of delicious loose-leaf tea! There are so many different combinations and menus you could create, depending on what type of tea you wanted to serve.
My first thought would be a Spring Tea, with some delicate first-flush Darjeeling tea. I would make some tea sandwiches – definitely cucumber, maybe some smoked salmon and cream cheese, and possibly also a light chicken salad, with grapes and water chestnuts for crunch. Going the traditional route, I’d then serve scones – perhaps some lemon-poppy seed, or cranberry-orange, to complement the fruitiness of the tea. Of course, there would have to be pastries, in particular, French macarons in beautiful spring colors and bright, fruity flavors, such as passion fruit.
All of this would naturally be served on floral-patterned bone China, with some wonderfully mismatched silver given to me by my Mom. I’d lay the table with a lacy cloth, and create some pretty floral arrangements to bring lots of cheer to the table. In the background, I’d play a little Brazilian samba music to make sure things didn’t get too stuffy!
As I pour out the pale, fruity Darjeeling tea, my friends would inhale the delicate aroma and sigh with delight. As they nibble on the snacks, they’d sip the delicious brew, and begin to relax and unwind as the tea’s calming spirit worked its magic. We’d have a wonderful afternoon welcoming the new season, while some would discover a new tea companion and others would welcome an old friend.
That would be my perfect tea party, at least for this week. I could imagine an Asian-themed party built around a nutty, warm oolong or a clean, grassy green tea. Or possibly a more substantial, winter party with a hearty Ceylon black. There are so many options, but they all begin with a lovely loose-leaf tea to share with my friends.
Your party sounds like a tea lover’s dream :-)
I’m with you Nicole. Using a tea bag for a tea party sounds like using paper plates for a formal dinner party. You’ve put together some wonderful sounding tea parties. I feel inspired to do so myself.
Thanks, Michelle & Nicole! Now I just have to put my words into action, and have a wonderful little gathering of friends.
tea bags usually contain the most poor and cheapest tea, which is sold at the highest price
Great ideas! I’d love to explore a gong-fu style version tea party with an amazing oolong…
Everything sounds so delicious. The idea that no one brought up tea and only the treats seems so sad to me. I would actually find the tea I wanted to serve first and then select treats that would pair well with it. Although to be honest at the end of the day I’d feel privileged to be a part of any tea party. :)
If I go into a bookstore or teashop around here and if they have books about tea 90 out of hundred ain’t about tea at all. They are about food. As if I need cake as an excuse to drink tea (or vice versa).
Luckily there are other sources for books. But it shows what people in general think about tea.