AFTERNOON TEA ETIQUETTE

TOP DOS AND DON’TS – OF AFTERNOON TEA ETIQUETTE

1. How to make the perfect cup of tea? The Langham’s Tea Director recommends a brewing time of 2-4 minutes dependent on the type of tea and to use 1 tea bag or 1 rounded teaspoon of loose tea for each cup to be served.

2. Tea or milk, which is poured first into the tea cup? Tea is poured first. In the Victoria era, this was a test of quality of the hostess bone china. Expensive china would not crack under the heat of the tea. It also allows for the milk to be added at the perfect quantity to suit the drinkers taste.

3. How do you hold the tea cup, and should the pinkie finger be raised or not? Contrary to popular belief, the pinkie finger should not be extended but should rest by curving gently back towards your wrist.

4. What is the correct way to stir the tea cup? When stirring your tea, refrain from clinking the sides of your cup.

5. What is the correct placement of the teapot on the table? The spout of the teapot and the tea kettle faces the hostess or pourer.

6. Can you dunk? Under no circumstances dunk any item into your tea. Dunking is a huge social faux-pas.

7. How do you serve lemon with tea? When serving lemon with tea it is correct to use slices and not wedges. It is best to provide a lemon fork to place a slice of lemon in the tea cup after the tea has been poured. Never add milk to a cup of lemon tea. The citric acid in the lemon will make the milk curdle.

8. Tea sandwiches, with or without the crusts? Without, the Duchess of Bedford who was responsible for turning Afternoon Tea into a social occasion to fill the gaps between Luncheon and Dinner, was insistent that sandwiches should be served with crusts cut off.

1. QUESTIONS:

Who elevated the Afternoon Tea to a social occasion and why?

Is it recommended to pour milk into a cup of lemon tea? Why/Why not?

How should a cup be held?

What should be poured first into the tea cup and why?

2. EXPLAIN THE USE OF ARTICLES IN PHRASES IN ITALICS

3. WHAT DO THE UNDERLINED WORDS MEAN? LOOK THEM UP IN A DICTIONARY

4. GIVE SYNONYMS OF THE UNDERLINED WORDS IN BOLD