How To Host The Best Afternoon High Tea Party Table

High tea is definitely not supposed to be a giant, overblown event with everyone sticking their pinkies out.

Nor is the tea table supposed to be groaning with expensive silver and crystal. The repast does not need to consist of rich pastries and high calorie delicacies.

The British tradition was simply to have a more substantial meal in the late afternoon. In other words, high tea was dinner.

But not in America! Here, high tea is a special event that can be held at lunchtime or in the early afternoon as a major event. Tea rooms and restaurants generally serve high tea in the mid to late afternoon and offer three categories of items: savory items, scones and elaborate and rich sweet pastries.

The high tea is a wonderful event for the cooler months because the meal can be a special way to entertain friends and family. A high quality tea room is a festive place for a break from Holiday shopping.

In the summer, there is no reason why the tea cannot be iced and the food cannot be fresh and light!

A high tea is also the perfect vehicle for teaching, using and refining the higher social skills, especially concerning being of service and showing kindness to the guests.

Finally, high tea is a way to show off the collection of plates, tea services and other decorative items that would otherwise sit in the cupboards through most of the year.

The high tea table can be simple and functional, or elegant and over the top with the multi-tiered silver servers, the best crystal and china, and the most precious items from the teapot collection.

But all that is really needed is good cheer, good intentions and the meticulous attention that is given to the comfort and the satisfaction of the guests.

Some purists consider teabags to be a crime against society. But a selection of teabags will allow the guests to choose their favorite type of tea and will allow the guests to brew their tea as they like. A frequently emptied and replaced bowl or container will keep the table fresh.

When the loose tea is brewed, try for the middle road, running hot water through the pot, filling the infuser or tea ball, and filling the pot with hot water that has not quite begun to boil, as improperly brewed tea can be a bitter social hazard.

The Food Network has a remarkable number of recipes for brewed and iced tea, so feel free to be creative at any time of the year!

The table can have every last bit of decoration, place cards, silverware, crystal and china. Or the table setting can be a functional and simple affair.

The hosting, companionship, tea and the food are the stars of the show. The savory sandwiches are easy to put together. If the schedule is heavy, a local high quality bakery or delicatessen can take care of the scones and the sweets.

Classic savorys include crust free finger sandwiches with meat, cream cheese mixtures, or other fillings.

Classic and creative scones can come in many flavors and sizes.

The Classic sweets can be tiny cakes, fruit, candied fruit and other pastries. Be creative! Try out different breads and fillings.

Sandwiches should be freshly prepared and never allowed to get soggy before they are served. Ideas for sandwiches include:

Roast beef and horseradish sauce

Smoked salmon, cream cheese and capers

Cream cheese, crushed pineapple and finely chopped walnuts

Roasted peppers and fresh mozzarella cheese

Toasted mushrooms, well drained tomato and fresh basil

Your favorite deviled egg recipe!

Scones come in many varieties:

Visit Epicurean for 28 recipes for a delicious scone selection

For pastries, finger food or bite sized are the best options. A local high quality bakery will provide petit four, small tarts, cookies, and other small sweets.