“It’s time for tea” with tips from the Mouse House!
“A fairly substantial meal that includes tea and is served in the late afternoon or early evening”
This dictionary definition of a high tea provided by thefreedictionary.com, sums up what a high tea is. However, there are various types of high teas that one can host with all showcasing similar components.
Bringing alive a traditional high tea from the 19th century when the English upper classes would gather for tea and sandwiches in the mid-afternoon is easy when you have tips and advice on how to adapt this traditional event to the 21st century.
Whether you want to host a high tea themed party or wedding, there are a variety of ideas that can be brought together to make an unforgettable event. Food, décor and details are the main three components that will make your planning “easy as pie”.
Food is the main feature of this type of event. The food should be displayed on delicate and pretty cake stands in the middle of each table or provided by waiters who come around with platters. Food should portray canapé’s, that of bite-sized sandwiches, pastries and miniature cakes.
Favourites usually include any mini version of popular tarts & cakes including milk tarts, black forest, red velvet, cheesecake, as well as macarons, truffles and scones as well as savouries made with bruschetta, puff or phyllo pastry, crackers, cheeses, salsa combined with cold meats, seafood, vegetables and even fruit.
The second element to a high tea is the décor which should highlight floral accents with soft pinks, greens and other pastels with flowers, glass jars, pearl necklaces, hessian and even paper lanterns on display.
Of recent, jade and coral have also become popular colours to incorporate into a high tea theme with mix matched cups and saucers giving off a vintage-feel.
For a quirky look & feel, some event organisers even go to the effort of hanging tea cups from the ceiling or above one table hosting a display of food.
Numerous bride-to-be’s also have a high tea thrown for them; which has become a trend of late. Guests are usually asked to come dressed in floral attire or don floral headbands which make for great photographic opportunities.
Overall, it is always the minor details that bring the whole event together. The best advice is to keep it simple, pretty and ensure there is delicious food. If your event calls for entertainment, ensure that yours in to the taste of the crowd.
Information provided by Ane du Preez and Leon de Kock from Granny Mouse Country House & Spa.
Reference: high tea. (n.d.) American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. (2011). Retrieved March 16 2016 from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/high+tea