The Countess Grey variety of loose tea is my most favorite tea! Fortnum and Mason in London, which has a Royal Warrant issued by the British royal family, created this traditional tea which has a subtle, light, citrus and orange character.
Drinking tea with a tea bag still in the cup!
The tradition of afternoon tea requires loose tea leaves, which seep inside the teapot and are then strained while poured into the cup. But these days, tea bags are often used for ease and simplicity. If a tea bag happens to be served to you in your cup (or mug) in a casual environment or establishment, simply remove the tea bag and place it on the plate offered or on your saucer before taking a sip. The tea bag may remain within a teapot, but avoid having the string with the paper label dangling on the side of the cup at all costs!
Left: Mummy's Limoges hot chocolate pot with its cup and saucer. Both are delicate and vertically tall for more hot chocolate to serve- yum!
Center: A Meissen coffee pot, shown with a different example of a coffee cup and saucer.
Right: Mummy's English daisy teapot with a cup and saucer... perfect for any girl or boy of any age to have their first tea party!
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2. Know the difference between a teapot and a coffee pot, along with their respective cups!
Whether you’re using porcelain or silver, Mummy always emphasized the difference between a teapot (round and stout) and a coffee pot (taller and slimmer). If you only have one in your porcelain or silver repertoire, be aware of the distinction between the shape of both so that you know which goes in what!
The shape of a teacup has a wide-open rim versus a coffee cup which stands a tad taller vertically and has a slightly larger handle. Tallest of all is the hot chocolate cup, which is perfect for serving the beverage with a little dollop of whipped cream!
3. To clink your teacup while stirring
Stir in a 12 to 6 o’clock motion back and forth, not right to left, nor in a circular motion. Try your best not to clink the cup.
The Garden Club of Hartford commences monthly meetings at members' houses with tea and coffee. My dear friend, Brie, hosted this lovely event in her stunning historic house where President Roosevelt's sister once lived.
4. Not allowing the hostess to serve you
If you are the hostess, you pour the tea one cup at a time and offer it to your guests one at a time. As the hostess, you may also appoint someone else to pour. Our Garden Club of Hartford still maintains the formality of having tea served by a designated hostess at one end of the dining room table while coffee is served at the other end by another appointed hostess. The hostesses are seated while they pour and the table is dressed with a traditional white linen tablecloth. Both the tea and coffee pots are placed on a silver tray.
5. Not holding the teacup correctly
Avoid wrapping both hands around your cup (or mug) or placing your finger completely through the handle while wrapping your hand around it!
Instead, place your thumb and index finger in between the handle of a teacup while the third finger supports the cup under the handle. The pinky finger stays down!
If you are standing at a reception, do not leave the saucer on the table. Both the teacup and saucer remain together with one hand under the saucer and the other picking up the cup to sip from.
A remarkable Herend tea set hand-painted with delicate details and 24K gold accents was created in a limited edition to honor the 60th anniversary of Scully & Scully's partnership with Herend porcelain.