In the long history of the United Kingdom, the afternoon tea culture has become a shining pearl in the British social scene with its unique charm. It is not only a food custom, but also a manifestation of an attitude towards life. However, the English afternoon tea etiquette is cumbersome and meticulous, from tea selection, tea brewing to tea drinking, every link is full of exquisiteness. This article will reveal the mysteries of English afternoon tea etiquette and what you need to look out for when enjoying this culture.
1. The origin and development of English afternoon tea.
The origins of English afternoon tea can be traced back to 18th-century England. At that time, women in the upper class of Britain often held tea parties in the afternoon to exchange emotions and share their lives. Over time, this social activity has evolved into a unique cultural practice and has gained widespread popularity and popularity. Today, English Afternoon Tea has become one of the iconic cultures of the United Kingdom, attracting visitors from all over the world.
2. Tea selection and tea brewing for English afternoon tea.
1.Tea selection: English afternoon tea usually uses high-quality earl grey or assam, which have a strong taste and unique aroma. In addition, condiments such as lemon slices, orange blossom or verbena can be added according to personal taste.
2.Brewing tea: The water temperature of brewing English afternoon tea should be controlled between 90-95 degrees Celsius to ensure that the aroma and taste of the tea can be fully released. At the same time, the time to make tea should also be precisely controlled, generally 3-5 minutes. The brewed tea needs to be poured into a preheated cup to maintain the temperature and taste of the tea.
3. Tableware and furnishings for English afternoon tea.
1.Tableware: Bone china tea sets are usually used for English afternoon tea, which have delicate textures and soft colors that can add an elegant atmosphere to the tea party. Tableware includes teapots, teacups, tea trays, sugar pots, milk jugs, etc., and each piece of tableware has its specific purpose and placement.
2.Furnishings: When placing tea sets, there are certain rules to follow. The teapot should be placed in the center of the tray, the cup should be placed on the right side of the tray, and the sugar pot and milk pot should be placed on the left and top of the tray, respectively. This arrangement is not only convenient for guests to access the tea set, but also reflects the careful and thoughtful of the host.
Fourth, the way to drink tea in the English afternoon tea.
1.Traditional Three-Stage Style: The traditional way of drinking tea in the English afternoon tea is divided into three stages. The first section is to taste the aroma and taste of the tea, without adding any condiments;The second section is to add a little milk to make the tea taste more intense;In the third section, an appropriate amount of sugar is added to make the taste sweeter.
2.Order: When drinking tea, a certain order should be followed. First, taste the pure tea, then add the milk and stir well before drinking, and finally add the sugar and stir before tasting. This sequence ensures that guests can fully experience the unique flavours of English Afternoon Tea.
5. Etiquette and precautions for English afternoon tea.
1.Invitations and appointments: When inviting guests to English Afternoon Tea, an invitation should be sent out in advance and the theme, time and location of the tea party should be stated. Guests should respond promptly after receiving the invitation and show up for the appointment on time. When attending appointments, you should dress appropriately and elegantly to match the ambiance of the English Afternoon Tea.
2.Position and seating: During the tea ceremony, the host should sit on the main seat, and the guests should be seated in order of status and status. Seating arrangements should be on a first-come, first-served basis, while also taking into account the communication and interaction between guests.
3.Etiquette and rules: In the process of drinking tea, you should be quiet, civilized and polite.