I remember reading books by Enid Blyton, P.G. Wodehouse and Agatha Christie to mention a few, where tea invariably referred to a formal affair where one made very polite conversation at. Tea was drunk out of bone china cups in saucers, while delicately munching on cucumber sandwiches, little cakes, scones, crumpets served with jam/ preserves and clotted cream!
As Henry James writes in The Portrait of a Lady, “There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea”
As it turns out, for the English, “afternoon tea” was something very different from “high tea”
Apparently, the practice of afternoon tea was started by the Duchess of Bedford as a tray of tea with some bread butter. In those days, they had lunch at noon and dinner was eaten after 8:00pm, and afternoon tea provided some sustenance in between.
This afternoon tea was also referred to as “Low Tea” because it was typically served on low tables and really a social affair.
High tea, on the other hand, was actually a meal which was served around six in the evening in homes of common working class folk and a full meal equal to dinner! It was called high tea because it was served at the high table/ family dining table.
Somewhere in time, high tea came to mean a sort of traditional tea where lighter desserts and dishes are served. This would include savouries such as appetizers or tiny sandwiches, scones, crumpets and pastry items like cookies, cakes, shortbreads, etc.
I am happy to announce that it is my turn to guest host Meeta’s Monthly Mingle this month and I thought it would be a nice to have our own tea party with the theme of “High Tea Treats“. After all, tea is a perfect occasion for friends to get together.
Let me hasten to add that coffee lovers are also most welcome to join in, as the emphasis here is on “Treats”
Please Note:** You do not have to submit only typically British dishes for this High tea. Any dish which you would serve at a slightly more elaborate tea party (or tea time get together) is welcome.
Meeta and I** look forward to having you all for tea. So join us with what you would typically serve if you were to have a high tea sort of party.
And here are the rules:
1. Make or bake something which you would typically serve at teatime.Your teatime treat must be vegetarian**, though eggs are allowed.
2. It must be a dish you posted on your blog between the 22nd of September and the 15th of October, 2009**. Older posts will not be accepted.
Please note that you may submit your entry for this Monthly Mingle to any one other event (only one, please), if you choose.
3. Please link your post to this announcement and to Meeta‘s Monthly Mingle page. Feel free to use the lovely logo Meeta** designed, along with your Monthly Mingle post.
Please submit your entries before midnight (your time) of the 15th of October, 2009 by using this Event Submission Form.
Just fill in the necessary details and hit the submit button. Please also ensure that the image you submit is 300px wide.
Do check out the round-up to last month’s Heirloom edition at **Jugalbandi.
Happy Cook says
I will sure join in just have to look to a Brittish cooking book for a recipe.Well maybe thrie cucumber sandwithces, but then nobody likes it except for me, so will have to be something else.
Srivalli says
How lovely Aparna, let me see what I can make for the lovely tea party!..I used to love such parties in my time, hhaha..:)..and I loved that click of Meeta’s tea, it really looks so beautiful!
♥♥♥Ria♥♥♥ says
Count me in Aparna! :)What a perfect theme to host especially when you are a tea lover 🙂
Mansi says
You made me remember those old Enid Blyton and Wodehouse days…lovely event…will try to pitch in something.
Gera @ SweetsFoods says
Can I say this is a global tea party? A wonderful idea Aparna and Meeta too!I’m not a typical recipe-blog but as a tea lover I’ll be watching the delightful treats :)Cheers!Gera
sra says
Oh God! I’ve never made “tea items”, what do I do?
MeetaK says
looking forward to this one aparna! i have just the perfect idea!
Parita says
A grt theme aparna..love the logo!
♥Deeba @Passionate About Bakin says
Happy Birthday Aparna…I’m coming over for tea (coffee?). Count me in!! Love your write up! Takes me back to the Mad Hatters Tea Party!
Natashya KitchenPuppies says
What a wonderful idea! I will think up something to make for tea. I read from Deeba’s post that you had a birthday – happy birthday!
Ivy says
Great theme Aparna. I shall start thinking what to prepare.
Curry Leaf says
Happy Birthday – read from Deeba’s post Lovely theme will surely pitch in
Suzana says
Lovely theme, Aparna. Teatime is one of my favourite moments of the day! Happy belated birthday! 😉
Lavanya says
I absolutely loved reading the food descriptions in Enid Blytons, as a kid (still do actually..:))..Looking forward to participating in this month’s mingle
Kitchen Butterfly says
Would love to do this, especially since I just came back from a trip to London where I had lovely ‘tea’ as in a Cornish Cream tea complete with scones, clotted cream and a steaming cuppa
Namratha says
This took me down memory lane back when I used to read the very books you’ve mentioned. When I was in school, we were served high tea on special occasions. Excellent choice for MM, I hope I can come up with something.
Soma says
Aparna: Just submitted my entry.. real neat theme.. brought back all those cute memories of the books.
Kanchan says
Happy Hosting Aparna ! Just sent you an entry 🙂
Mansi says
Hey aparna, hope you are doing good! just sent in my entry for MM…hope it fits the bill:)
Saraswathi Iyer says
Hi Aparna first time here. you have a great space do check out my blog when time permits.
s says
hey aparna..hope alls well…crazy rains no? anyway here’s my entry…simple dimple tea time cookie..
♥Deeba @Passionate About Bakin says
Just posted Aparna – Fruity Apple Spiral Swirls … am going across to the page now! xo
recipesbysam says
This is a great mingle Aparna. I have posted my recipe through the form. Though I am not sure if you have received it, please do check my blog for canapes. Thanks.
kellypea says
I have always wanted to join in on the Monthly Mingle fun and have never actually pulled it off. You’ve chosen such a wonderful treat and I’m tempted to dive right in!
Arfi Binsted says
I’ve just posted mine. Happy hosting!ab
A 2 Z Vegetarian Cuisine says
Does a repost between these dates works?
sumanam says
Oh what a lovely tea-party… count me in.
Kitchen Butterfly says
Hi…can the High Tea recipes have fish in them..or is that not allowed. Just cause I have some vegetarian friends who eat fish! Please let me know. Thanks
Aparna says
I know there are some vegetarians who do eat fish. :)For me no fish, only eggs, so I wouldn’t be able to accept entries with fish.
Kitchen Butterfly says
Thanks
B says
Love tea and anythign related. Posted a link to ur post…thanksB
VS says
Hey Aparna!I have submitted my entry. It is Tea Sandwich with eggs :-)Nice event. Quite apt for the mood in my family. we are hosting a high tea for my dad’s clients. 🙂
Sara's Corner says
Hi Aparna,I have sent in my entry. pls confirm thanks & rgds sarswathi
Preethi says
Hy Aparna…. I am new to the world of blogging. Here is my first post to a contest.Do look at my blog when you have time.
Lavanya says
Just submitted my entry!http://purplepaperplanes.wordp…
Cool Lassi(e) says
Aparna, I just sent my entry for this exciting event. My brand new blog is ~dozen days old and this is my third ” Cooking” event submission. Check out my blog when you get a chance.
Yasmeen says
hi Aparna,I sent the entry thro’ the form at Meeta’s blog this morning….didn’t know it was not the same as yours.Anyway I did submit again,hope its gets thro’.thanks:)
Eni says
You mention Enid Blyton in your blog. Well, I am glad to inform you that my book, The Famous Five: A Personal Anecdotage (www.bbotw.com) has just been published.Stephen Isabirye