Tea at the Unicorn Wine Guild

Tea-related education and events, the enjoyment of the beverage and the culture of tea

Jun 8

Just what should I call this tea party?

by teaattheunicornwineguildllc

Most people think of “tea” as an afternoon event.  However, a tea can be held just about anytime.  But just what does one call it?

Elevenses is like an America’s “Coffee Break” and is usually a small snack between breakfast and lunch.  This is a good tea for beginners to serve.

Cream Tea is an easy to do event consisting of scones, clotted  cream, marmalade, jam, curd and tea.  This is a good starting place for a beginner.  It is an informal event and is easier to plan and prepare.

Low Tea is also known as Afternoon tea and is really a meal.  It consists of scones, sandwiches, and a dessert or two in addition to tea.  It is called “low tea” because it is not served at the dining table, but in a more informal setting using side tables. 

High Tea is a full evening meal and usually meat and potatoes or other substantial foods are served in addition to the other foods.  It was originally a “working class” meal, but now has a connotation of elegance.  In earlier times, the”rich and famous” would often have a High Tea on Sundays when the servants had the day off or lighter duties.  It is also called a “man’s tea.”

Royal (or Royale) Tea is a social tea with champagne being served early in the meal and sherry at the end of the event.

 

 

Social Teas

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May 26

Preparing for a Party

by teaattheunicornwineguildllc

Using your imagination is an important part of planning a party, but so is the “reality check”.  Look around your abode.  Take an honest stock of your resources.  How big is your kitchen?  Do you have enough room, experience and equipment to prepare a detailed menu or should you pare down to a more simple repast?  Be realistic.  A menu does not have to be full of complicated recipes to be enjoyed.  How many people can comfortably sit at your dining room table, kitchen table, living room, patio, or whatever entertaining setting you choose? Overcrowding can make all uncomfortable.  If you have a large list of those to invite, consider breaking the guest list into smaller groups and have more than one party.  You can use the same menu, same decorations, etc.  Think about the personalities of your guests and how they would interact with each other in order to let them have an enjoyable experience.

Obviously, the more you can prepare in advance, the more you will be able to relax and enjoy your party.  Make the following preparations several days before the party:  Review guest list (who is coming and who isn’t) and plan menu (do a trial run of new recipes); major cleaning; inventory linens, dinnerware, flatware, accessories, equipment and utensils that will be needed for the menu and party theme selected (wash, polish, augment as needed); shop for all food except perishables; and freeze a good supply of ice cubes (or add a bag of ice to the perishables to be purchased list).  Then the night before the party you can do any last minute cleaning, put out guest towels, check space and hangers for the guest closet, set the table and arrange centerpiece or other decorations.  Of course, if you are using live flowers you may want to save this detail until the morning of the party.  Last minute shopping for perishables also fits in here.

Even spur-of-the-moment parties take some advance planning – the kind of planning that has the freezer and larder stocked with staples for a party.  By keeping your inventory (staples, equipment, tableware, decorations) updated you can more easily prepare for a party. 

A final suggestion – keep a journal or notebook of your parties.  Include not only your inventory list, but recap each gathering.  Things to include are the guest list, the menu (maybe even the recipes), the decorations, any borrowed item (who lent them to you and when you returned them), the equipment used, and what you liked and disliked about the party.  Perhaps that lovely teapot does not keep the tea warm or you found that the special tea from your favorite shop really works well with the new spice cookies.  Perhaps you would want to include a copy of the invitations and photos (not just the guests, but of the table setting and the food.)  With a bit of practice and some planning and organization you can be a polished hostess.  Enjoy your own party.

 

Social Teas

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Apr 24

Enchanted Pines Bed and Breakfast

by teaattheunicornwineguildllc

My husband and I spent a wonderful night at the Enchanted Pines B&B in Bolivar, Ohio. (330) 874-3197.  www.enchantedpines.com  Owners Linda and Earl Menges spent time with us telling us about their tea business and gift shop.  In addition to the Bed and Breakfast, they conduct teas by reservation for groups of six or more and their gift shop is open to attendees and guests or by reservation.  If you are in the area or planning a trip to Amish country, consider them.  They also specialize in Diva Days and Nights and Red Hatters Retreats as well as romantic getaways.  Thanks go to Linda and Earl for their advice and tips.

Social Teas

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Mar 28

Social Teas

by teaattheunicornwineguildllc

When you think about a social tea what comes to mind?  Ladies in “Sunday Best” at a table with a three-tiered stand full of cute little sandwiches, scones and desserts?   A “cuppa” with a few friends around the kitchen table?  A formal event with the best china and tea served from a silver teapot?  These are all “social teas.”  Formal or informal, a tea is a vehicle for bringing people together.  It’s an ideal format for a club meeting, a shower, a reception or just a chance to catch up on the everyday events in the lives of good friends. 

Try an intimate and informal tea with two to four friends.  Think about where you will conduct this tea.  Will it be around the kitchen table, served in the living room or den, or perhaps served outdoors on the porch or patio?  The seating you have available will dictate how many people you invite.  When and where you plan to have the tea will have an impact on the rest of your plans.  For instance, if you plan to have the tea in your den or on the porch how will the guests handle the cup and plate?  Are there side tables beside the chairs where plates and cups may be placed or should you invest in cute plates that have a space for the cup so your guests can easily handle both?  If you plan the event for outdoors you had best have alternate plans in case of inclimate weather.  If you plan the event indoors and you have pets, how will these members of your family react?  Are they moochers?  Would they tolerate being confined to another room without being a distraction?   Can you handle both your cat and your plate vying for space on your lap?  Do you want the event to be more formal and serve it in the dining room or the living room or would you enjoy the more relaxed atmosphere of the den or kitchen?

Think about what you will serve with your tea.  Cookies, small desserts, even small sandwiches or appetizers are appropriate.  Are you daring enough to try out a new recipe on your guests without a trial run or would you feel better serving an oldie, but goodie?  What about the tea?  Are you planning hot or cold tea?  Are you new to loose tea?  Are they?  Have you found a new flavor you’d like to try?  Do you have the necessary items for making a loose tea? If  you let your guests know that this will be an adventure for all, go for it.  It will be fun.  The time you have for preparation will also have an affect on what you serve.  There is no need to stay up all night making those elegant desserts when a simple cookie will serve just as well.  The idea is to relax and enjoy your relationship with your guests. 

The timing of your invitation depends upon the lifestyle of you and your friends.  In today’s busy lifestyle, your guests may need a few day’s notice.  Or, if your group always meets on Saturdays at the local deli, just change the venue to your place.   Perhaps you can begin a new tradition or the tea can become a “traveling” event going to the home of each guest in turn.  The possibilities are endless.  Take time out of your busy schedules to reconnect and relax with friends.  You’ll be glad you did.  Please be sure to find out about the progress of our business by visiting the website at http://www.unicornwineguild.com

Social Teas

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