How do you set a table for a tea?

Answer 1

Of course teas are much smaller than dinners as we know, but they can be just as important in certain social sectors or in some countries. Here are some tips: * Linen table cloth should be put on the table. Any color (generally a soft color) should be used to compliment your tea set. Linen napkins should be used and a different color can be used to accent your table. * Flowers (something simple is fine) or a pretty medium sized low bowl with water (you can color it with food coloring) and float some flowers on the water with some floater candles. * You need to prepare your menu. You can have anything from small Sandwiches to a wholesome salad as the course and of course some small buns if you are serving salad and you can include soup if you wish. Things should be kept in bite size and not like the normal sandwiches you would generally use. It's usually 3 - 4 sandwich pieces per person. Salads of course are individual servings and served icy cold from the refrigerator. Soups can be served hot or cold. * A good quality tea should be used and you can use two tea pots. One with normal rich tea and one with a herbal tea of your choice. The proper way to make tea is by boiling water and rinsing the tea pot out with that boiling water to warm it up. Then you put the tea bags or 'tea leaves' inside and brew and then remove. Then the 'tea cozy' should go over each tea pot when put on the table to keep it warm. You can use a Carafe if you like, but it doesn't represent the idea of a 'tea'. * Place settings for each person should have a plate with bowl on top if serving salad or perhaps soup and salad. On the right should be a plate for buns or those bite sized sandwiches. There should be two forks (a normal sized fork can be used if your main course is a hearty salad) and then a small fork or spoon for dessert. The smaller spoon should rest on the saucer for the cup so the guests can stir their own tea. * Wine glasses should be at the top of the plates on the table. ALWAYS have ice water in a nice pitcher because not all guests may drink wine. Serve white/red wine so your guests have a choice. Red wine is served at room temp and white wine is chilled. * Sugar in the sugar bowl (on a tiny plate and on that plate also put artificial sweetener for some of your guests), 1/2 and 1/2 and cream should be present on the table. If you have but one creamer then you use 1/2 and 1/2 (half cream/half milk) as many ladies are on diets. * A nice recipe I use that is very simple for a dessert is a fancy low glass parfait glass (set on a glass plate) and a flavored Sherbet (it comes in 3 berry, Mango, Orange, Lemon, Lime ... my favorite is the 3 berry and the Mango. Top with a piece of the fruit to match the flavor. For instance if it's Mango then put thinly sliced Mango pieces on top with thinly sliced strawberries. If you are serving 3 berry, then top with blackberries, raspberries. You can also buy those small round wafers (in a tin) by the cookie section in your grocery store (filled with chocolate) and I split them in half with a knife and then place two of them on top of the Sherbet along with your decorations that are on top (one higher than the other.) You can also buy (generally frozen) tiny round balls stuffed with shipping cream and I will put a chocolate and vanilla one on each plate alongside the parfait glass. It's a hit and also cleanses the pallet which is the proper way to eat any meal. If you don't like this then make a nice coffee cake or strawberry short cake. If you don't bake then buy it. Teas are for a gathering of women to enjoy themselves and just chat so things should be in petite sizes. This isn't an 'all out' buffet for an evening. Keep your menu light, decorated attractively and keep it simple. NOTE: The hostess serves and that includes serving the tea. Be sure to ask your guests if they would like their wine, tea or water refilled.