How to Host a High Tea at Home
The posh setup of the dining table, food display stands and finger foods are laid out with cloche-covered plates and beautiful decorations around the table. This is what we think of when we picture high tea. If you’re trying to recreate the same atmosphere at home, it may seem like a lot. This article can help you host a high tea at home with ease. From the products you would require to the various themes and teas you can experiment with, there is a lot you can do.
The Setting
High tea is always associated with very rich and fancy setups. However, you don’t have to be in a tea room to create that atmosphere. It’s all about what products you use to decorate the dining area. Pastel is the colour that is mostly associated with high tea. Pastel table covers and table decorations are the first steps to creating a posh high tea environment.
You can transform the look of your dining table with just a few table accessories. Crochet table runners, flower vases or potpourri can really enhance the overall look of the table. Remember to leave a lot of space on the table since high tea involves a variety of foods to be served along with tea.
Tea Sets
One of the most important things when it comes to hosting a high tea at home is the utensils you serve your tea in. High Tea always calls for a tea set that includes a teapot with matching cups and saucers. If this is a bit too much then go for the slightly rustic approach. You can get yourself a cup and saucer set to serve the tea. As far as the teapot is concerned, you can get a completely different looking teapot to pour the tea. The contrast will add to the overall look of the table.
Some tea sets also come with a matching set of milk and sugar pots. If you want everything on the table to match then it is best to buy the entire set in one go. On the other hand, you can mix and match to keep things interesting. Another important thing to keep in mind is the material of the utensils being used. There is a misconception that only your finest china needs to be used for high teas. Ceramic and glass tea sets are a great option. You can also go for ceramic cups and saucers with a cast iron teapot. You don’t have to stick to a traditional setup.
Serving the Food
High Tea includes a lot of food. From desserts to savoury snacks, there is a lot to serve if you’re hosting a high tea. If you are putting in the effort of making all the food at home, it is only fair to have it served perfectly.
Plates as Serving Trays
Fancy plates are a great way to serve food. By fancy plates we mean those artsy plates that look too good to have your dinner in; plates that seem like they should be put on display. These artsy plates are perfect for serving sandwiches, scones and other food that need to be covered. Plates can easily be covered by cloches to keep your sandwiches tasting fresh throughout. You can go for plates with darker or lighter colours depending on the rest of the table decorations. Ceramic, porcelain or glass plates are great and come in various designs, especially ceramic.
Display Stands and Serving Trays
If you have had an antique serving platter lying in your dining room’s sideboard for ages and haven’t used it, this is the right time to take it out. Any antique serving dishes look great on a high tea table. They may look out of place with the bright decorations but they always bring a sense of nostalgia and sophistication. Additionally, you can make things a little posher by adding a display stand or two. Food display stands are perfect for arranging an array of cakes and tarts for the occasion.
Got Some Tea?
It should not come as a surprise that hosting a high tea at home would involve actual tea. There are so many different types of tea that you can choose from so try and limit your options. Ask your guests what kind of teas they prefer and buy something that all of you like. You can also buy a variety of popular tea flavours and have people try them out. You can go in a completely different direction and enjoy teas from different cultures.
Trying tea from different countries and cultures also gives you the opportunity to change things up. You don’t have to have traditional high tea, you can have chai from India with Indian snacks or Turkish tea and snacks. The possibilities are endless, just choose what you want to do.
