Life:: If teacups could talk- Tea Etiquette 101

Are you taking part in this year's Biggest Morning tea? The offical date is this Thursday and it's a fun way to raise funds for cancer research. I thought that if you're heading off to a morning tea, or even hosting one, you may like some etiquette tips for drinking tea.

So welcome to your masterclass-Tea Etiquette 101....a basic introduction to drinking tea the "proper" way. When talking tea drinking, no one does it better than the English, and you know what a huge Downton Abbey fan I am.

Traditionally tea would be served in the afternoon, at 4 o'clock,  at intimate small gatherings of specially invited guests. It would be refered to as "low tea." If tea was served in the morning it would be at 11 o'clock and was called "Elevensies."

Guests would be predominantly women. Once everyone is seated, the hostess would pour the tea for her guests. She would then offer milk, sugar or lemon. Tea first, then milk. And sugar before lemon. Milk and lemon were never served together. The teaspoon goes behind the teacup, and one should never leave it in the cup! Tut-tut.

If there was a large number of guests, close friends of the host were asked to be the "pourers." This was considered to be a great honor.

Never pass a cup of tea. Tea should be poured one cup at a time and should be taken directly from either the host or the assigned server. Though, if you are in a tea-house, the tradition is the person who is closest the teapot serves the tea.

Along with the tea, there would be three distinct courses of delicate food served- small, bite sized sandwiches (crustless of course!), scones and then pastries. And I know you are not going to dunk anything in your tea.....gasp, quelle horreur!

Drinking your tea

Never, hold your tea cup with your pinkie finger extended! Drinking tea this way is actually considered to be rude- ....tut, tut tut!!

One should place their saucer in their left hand, just resting on the tips of your  4 fingers- which are slightly apart.  The thumb rests on the rim of the saucer. A handled cup is held with the index finger through the handle, the thumb just above it to support the grip, and the second finger below the handle for added security. The rest of the fingers follow this curve. One must never cradle their teacup in one's hand either- a social faux pas.

If stirring your tea, the sound of the spoon hitting the sides is also a faux pas. One should "stir" their tea without any sound, moving the spoon in a gentle, back and forth arch motion- a swish more than a stir. No clinking of teapoons please! Swishing only! Look into your teacup when drinking-not over it. Are you feeling very "proper"?

If teacups could talk, what do you think they would say? Do you think each teacup has it's own personality? Do you think your teacup could keep a secret? Is it elegant and a bit posh, is a friendly looking cup, or perhaps  it looks like it would be a  bit of a gossip?

In Victorian times, well-to-do ladies would bring their own delicate tea cup in an ellaborate box. Well, I know how they feel, we all have our favourite tea cup don't we? If you like to take your teacup with you, you could make my Mug bag so you could take your teacup with you- just like Victorian ladies did.

Afternoon tea would be officially over at 6 o'clock, and was indicated by the host standing and removing her napkin. It would be time then for the guest to remove their napkin, stand, place their napkin on their chair, and thank the host before leaving.

So I was thinking, does one's teacup reflect the owner's personality? Even back in Victorian times women took their favourite tea cup with them. I have a favourite cup and it has been for a few years now. It's something familar. What do you think? What is your teacup like?

I hope you've brushed up on your tea manners ahead of Thursday and don't commit any social faux pas.

Remember, always...

Have a lovely morning on Thursday.

 

Comments

[Lo Bjorksten]

I will now dust off my hat and gloves ready to be a lady on Thursday!!!! Thanks for the tips...I need every help I can get :) Hope you enjoy your morning tea on Thursday.

[Laura S.]

I thoroughly enjoyed my lesson in tea etiquette! I'm just a country bumpkin and a Yank to boot. I fear I would have committed more than one major faux pas when having tea in a social situation. :-S To be perfectly honest, my tea cup is a clunky old mug with no saucer and I regularly cradle it in my hand. After my lesson I find myself wanting to make my daily tea more of a ritual with a lovely tea cup & saucer. I guess it's too late to request one for Mothers Day but my birthday isn't too far off! :-)

[Grace Horton]

I have so enjoyed this post! I have a couple of favorite tea cups and teapots too.

[Sandi]

I also remember an old wive's tale that if you poured tea at another persons home you ran the risk of becoming pregnant?

I have some lovely old collectible teacups that I enjoy having a cuppa. But when I'm not feeling well I like it in a mug to help keep me warm.

Thanks for all the lovely information. I'dlike some sugar and lemon in my cuppa please.

[Heleen Groot]

Thank you for all the tips and all those rules! I have been horribly rude it seems.... I use a (huge) cup without a saucer and ALWAYS cup it in my hands....Do the rules say anything about just hanging your teabag in the cup? I fear I do that too......

[Anne-Lise]

Lovely post, brought back memories of tea at my Gran's. After we had drunk our tea she would tell our fortune in the tealeaves!
I must admit I tend to use teabags now, I've never liked tealeaves in my mouth :-)

[Lesley French]

It's elevenses, no "i", and if, as I do, you prefer your tea from a china cup, the milk goes in first to protect the china from the very hot tea! I live in France and have, constantly, to explain that in order to brew tea properly the water must be BOILING. Cheers!

[nini]

What a lovely post with gorgeous photographs! Thank you for this lesson, it might come handy one day :)

[Sandra]

Love youre post!

[Cynthia Bickhaus]

You always make me happy. I check your posts each day finding many treasures. I am a "teaaholic" and have favorite pots, cups and teas (a whole cupboard from which to choose based upon the current whim). I provided tea for a home ec class here at my high school. Special seniors, and talked about tea. Some knew a smattering, but all enjoyed the different teas and scones I made. Dear Bronwyn, have a glorious day.

[Maxine]

Hello Bronwyn, what an enjoyable post to read. I do love drinking tea from a "fine China cup" I think I would almost pass the test when out to morning tea! Mind you, I drink from a special fine china tea mug (with a crack) at home, my favourite to drink a hot cuppa from, a gift from a friend, years ago. My daughter shudders to see me still using this mug but until I find another one that I really love it will remain at my finger tips.

[Le rat des fils]

Black tea for me, no milk, no sugar.
I also have a favorite Cup. (with a picture of a little dog who looks out the window and says: they should be back soon).
Thanks for this post, I love it.

[Pengertian]

I have so enjoyed this post! I have a couple of favorite tea cups and teapots too.....

[Fungsi]

You always make me happy. I check your posts each day finding many treasures. I am a "teaaholic" and have favorite pots, cups and teas (a whole cupboard from which to choose based upon the current whim)....