Keep your planning for an high-tea simple.
Here are some tips for planning your tea party and menu are to find the perfect blend of food and drinks for your next afternoon tea.
It is down to you if you want keep your afternoon tea menu as basic as tea and cream scones (known as “cream tea”) or elaborate to include multiple types of tea and coffees, scones, finger sandwiches and various other treats.
Tea
It can be easy to overlook the tea when concerning oneself with details of the food menu. Nonetheless the teas and coffees you serve are just as important as the foods, if not more so.
We have a top range of aromatic artisan teas such as
Relaxing Infusion (herbal)
Detox Infusion (herbal)
Rooibos African Red Tea (herbal)
And
Mixed Wild Berries (herbal)
For kids’ tea party menus, consider serving our range of teas as iced tea, with juice or as a punch. For adult tea parties, you might consider offering champagne or a tea cocktail.
Most of them pair very well with a range of foods found on afternoon tea menus. The beauty of our tea range is that due to our barista equipment the strength and flavour of the tea is exactly the same each time ensuring a perfect cup of tea every time. Select bold teas for rich or strongly flavored foods or more delicate teas for more subtle foods.
Milk, sugar and lemon are optional ingredients add-ons for your guests for their own tea. Depending on the type or types of tea on your tea party menu, you might want to offer milk, sugar and lemon or only one or two additives. (Although some add cream to their tea, this is not traditional in England. Also adding milk to Earl Grey is not common, as the dairy tends to clash with the bergamot flavor in the tea.)
Coffee
Remember those guests that are more inclined to drink coffee rather than tea.
Our range of fragrant gourmet coffee will excite your senses:
Tranquillo (decaff)
Food
Traditionally the most popular “food” for tea party menus are Scones. They offer versatility as they can be sweet or savory, and complex or plain.
Finger sandwiches (also known as “tea sandwiches”) are often served at full tea, a heavier style of afternoon tea menu. Classic afternoon tea finger sandwiches include egg salad sandwiches, cucumber sandwiches, smoked salmon sandwiches, roast beef sandwiches, ham sandwiches and chicken salad sandwiches and more.
sponge cakes, cupcakes and trifles. Ideally, your sweets menu will include a variety of flavors, such as seasonal fruit, preserves, cream, vanilla and/or chocolate.
The tea party menus may also include other savories, such as savory scones, soups, quiches or lighter savory snacks, like seasoned nuts or cheese and crackers.
Addtional Tea Party Planning Tips
- You can create a tea party theme around selected colours, the current season or other concepts, simply just being another way to make your tea party menu enjoyable for your guests. Similarly, a variety of textures enhances the enjoyment of the foods you serve.
- Seasonal ingredients can add flavor and color to your tea party menu. Consider using fresh fruit, herbs and edible flowers to enliven your menu. One example of seasonal ingredients as a focus for an afternoon tea menu is adding fresh strawberries (or berries in general) to our (mixed berry) tea.
- Testing each recipe at least once prior to your tea party. This allows you to tweak or change each food or drink as needed.
- Ensure enough food for your entire party. Plan out how much each guest is estimated to eat and make slightly more.
- On a budget? Plan carefully and opt for slightly less expensive options in your recipes.
- Pressed for time? Buy some items instead of preparing them and select dishes that can be prepared in advance.
