The Teas Have It and a Giveaway!

by

Anyone who knows me well knows I adore tea. I have to have it in a fancy tea cup and saucer. I use all the accompanying tea paraphernalia, and, of course, it’s always more fun to have more than one. Meaning, I like having tea with my neighbor Jeannie or take my daughter or a friend to a place that “does” tea.

Tea shows up in many of my books. My fictional town of Clear Creek has has “tea time” as there are so many British living in and around the tiny town. But just as there are all sorts of variety of tea, so there are teas.

What am I talking about? Well, there’s afternoon tea. Family teas, tea gardens, High teas, At home tea. There are even Bridge teas and Tennis teas! And during WWII, the tea dance was invented. So what’s with all these teas? At the center, the answer is simple. People.

Back in the day, wedding breakfasts were held. But with wedding teas, you could invite more people. Some sort of entertainment could be provided. Music, singers, or a piano player. Sometimes the guests themselves performed. Though this was all thought out first and arranged. Tea wasn’t served in the drawing room. Instead the hostess used her dining room which was set up as a sort of buffet.



Like the wedding teas, “At Home” teas consisted of smaller groups, could be served in a parlor or drawing room, and served on small tables. A servant, (if you had one) took up a post near their mistress, who was the one serving. As soon as she was done, the servant would leave the room. This sort of tea is simple. They didn’t even use plates. I’d have failed at this kind of tea. I’m always dropping my cookies when trying to balance them on my saucer. Ah me …

High Tea was a different affair, and is some homes, was done daily, often taking the place of a late dinner. There was usually one or two hot dishes, maybe some cold chicken, game or ham. There was also a salad of some sort and of course different kinds of cakes and at times, cold fruit tarts with cream or custard. And of course, there was also fresh fruit. Getting hungry yet? In summer, it wasn’t unusual to have all cold dishes.

Family Teas consisted of cake, jam, sardines, buttered toast, potted meats, tea cakes and fruit. Watercress and radishes were served in summer alongside everything else. Family teas were often governed by the dinner that preceded it. When I think of all these teas, I automatically think of Hobbits from The Lord of the Rings. I’m not sure who is worse, the little guys, or the Victorians of the 1800’s!

Bridge Teas were served at 3:30. Tennis Teas could be at different times as they were held in summer. Both were informal, the meal made up of sandwiches, pastries, cakes and light foods. The tables were set under shade trees and visitors helped themselves to what they wanted.

During the second world war, the tea dance came along. I know it has nothing to do with the 1800s or the old west or high society of the same era, but it’s worth a mention. In Britain, they were held in the afternoon, never at night due to the danger of air raids. Someone’s house was picked, people packed their own little sandwiches with what rations they had, and everyone pooled them together so there was a variety to serve. The dances might be a charity of sorts to raise money for blankets, bandages and food parcels for troops. The organizers of these teas provided a cup of gray, wartime tea with a bit of reconstituted dried milk and a saccharine tablet for some sweetness. The music at such things were a far cry from the afore mentioned teas. This was the big band era, so you had folks dancing and enjoying themselves to some great music. This raised morale, and helped people cope with the war. These tea dances gain popularity and continued on even after the war was over.

And here I sit with my little tea cup, wondering what it would be like to have tea with so many different folks. Not that I haven’t, it’s just been awhile.

So, have you been to any of the above mentioned teas? I’ll give away an e-book copy of my new release, His Saving Grace, (Clear Creek Brides, Book 5) to one commenter.

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USA Today bestselling author Kit Morgan is the author of over 180 books of historical and contemporary western romance! Her stories are fun, sweet stories full of love, laughter, and just a little bit of mayhem! Kit creates her stories in her little log cabin in the woods in the Pacific Northwest. An avid reader and knitter, when not writing, she can be found with either a book or a pair of knitting needles in her hands! Oh, and the occasional smidge of chocolate!

57 thoughts on “The Teas Have It and a Giveaway!”

  1. Hello Kit! I live in the south and love tea. Unfortunately I have never been to any of the above teas that you mentioned.

    • The south has so many different tea venues. I’ve only been to a High Tea a few times. Bridge Teas and Tennis Teas are a thing of the past as far as I know. But some parts of the country might still have them.

  2. I love tea, too, and used to collect teapots. I’ve been to afternoon tea several times in England.

  3. Hello Kit- I don’t recall going to any teas, but I love my iced tea. What is your favorite type of tea? I love just plain tea, not into flavored.

  5. There was an informal afternoon tea at the bed and breakfast we stayed at in Cape May.

    I love tea! I drink it daily.

    • I almost forgot, one older woman at church used to host a tea party each May. I went one year, and I brought my tea pot and twelve tea cups from my china pattern, Old Country Roses. Some people brought quiche, and I think there were cookies, too.

  7. I’ve never been to any of the above teas, but they sound interesting! I usually drink iced tea, but once in awhile will have a hot tea! I’m more of a coffee drinker!

  8. Good morning. I have never been to any of the above and haven’t even been to visit someone that served hot tea. Texan here of course. My family came from England area so it is strange that it didn’t carry thru to my grandparents.

  9. We used to have a Tea House in town and I loved to go. I have also had Tea Parties at my house. Tea cups and saucers are something I collect.

  11. Oh, I loved this blog, Kit. Such lovely information that stirred my imagination. I wish we were as social as they were back then. I’m afraid we spend too much time on our computers and smartphones and interact socially that way these days.

    I, too, love tea sweetened with a little Splenda. A couple of cups every afternoon when I’m on deadline really helps to get the words flowing. Sun tea in the summer – the best refresher!

    I have been to tea rooms with little cakes and sandwiches. Such a fun girly thing to do.

    • It is fun! And it’s fun to see who else comes to tea. A friend and I were having High Tea at a tea house in Dixon, California, when in walked a biker gang! Big burly fellows with the vest, chaps, the whole nine yards. And they came for High Tea. Unfortunately, it was too hard to snap a picture of them without being obvious. They were probably a bunch of regular guys on a ride, but still, it was hilarious to see these guys handle all that delicate china!

  12. I’ve never attended a tea, but both of my grandmothers drank tea. When people would drink coffee, my one grandmother would only allow the children to drink hot tea. It stuck with me, I only drink tea, not coffee. I like hot tea and cold tea.

  13. I love going for Afternoon Tea. I took my cousin to a special Afternoon Tea at one of our famous hotels in Toronto for her 50th Birthday. It was at Christmas time and The Royal York Hotel, which is Toronto’s oldest hotel was all decorated for the season. Made it even more special. We also had afternoon tea when my aunt was getting married for the 2nd time. She was in her 60’s and it was at another famous hotel called The Old Mill. I am a big tea drinker and my tea his always made in a pot at home, never just in the cup.

    • Oh, yes, Kathleen, one must always make it in a pot! I would love to do afternoon tea at someplace like The Royal York! That sounds wonderful. I think atmosphere has a lot to do with the pleasure of having tea.

  14. Hello Kit, I enjoy a cup of hot tea while reading. A few weeks ago, ladies at my church gathered for Quali-tea fellowship. I’ve never attended High Tea. Thank you for the lovely post.

  15. Hi Kit , I enjoyed reading your post! I love tea . Only tea parties I have been to were the ones our now adult daughter with a little family of her own would have and she invited me to, it used to be alot of fun. Have a great day and rest of the week and stay safe.

  16. Such a fun post, Kit! I’m a tea girl through and through. About three years ago, my daughter and I visited Victoria, BC and I fell in love with Murchies tea. Probably because they’ve been around since 1894, which makes my history-loving heart happy. I still order my tea from them. While we were in Victoria, I was too cheap to pay for the expensive high tea at the Empress Hotel, but one of the tour guides we met told us about a little, out-of-the-way tea shop where we could get tea and a homemade scone for $7. Yes, please! It was so good! Plus, it was raining outside, so as we sat on the covered porch and enjoyed our tea and scones, we felt transported to England herself. One of my favorite memories of that trip!

    • I’ve always wanted to have tea at the Empress Hotel, but yeah, High Tea can be expensive. I’ve had tea a few times in New York which was fun. They have the most tea houses in the nation. 33 if I remember correctly. We didn’t do High tea, just regular tea where you get your pot, a scone and a few other goodies for about twenty bucks. Still wonderful!

  17. I enjoyed reading your post this morning, interesting! I prefer Luzianne Tea, for most of my life I never considered anything other than Lipton Orange Pekoe but then WalMart moved into my state and brought Luzianne with ‘em, similar taste but better to me. I guess we can make tea out of almost anything botanical but when I think of tea, I’m picturing Orange Pekoe in my mind.

    The times I’ve gone to organized tea parties were on cruise ships many years ago, I don’t know if current cruises have them anymore, and then to one or two with my sister at her church where they had a speaker lined up with a topic of interest for women.

  20. I’ve never had a fancy tea, though it does sound really nice, but I’ve had tea with my Mom in semi-fancy cups.

  22. I adore a good cup of tea, especially when it’s presented prettily. Congrats on the book – lovely cover! (Not entering the giveaway, just saying hello. :))

  23. I’ve never been to any of the teas you have talked about. I do love a hot cup of tea in the winter and a cold glass of iced tea in the summer.

  25. My husband and I had tea on a trip years ago. I remember it was a rustic lodge we stopped by but weren’t staying there. Just a nice little afternoon tea. It was some place up north in the middle of the country and could have been in Canada. We were in Victoria, BC 3 years ago and I was tempted to take tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel, but I just couldn’t justify spending $95 each. Some day I may splurge, but not that much.
    I used to have tea and cookies with my mom when I was in college. The siblings were in school and it was just the two of us. It really was a treat. We always had a special cookie which sadly they do not make anymore. There is a tea room in a neighboring city that I might have to check out one of these days.
    I have a special tea cup and saucer that I won at a readers convention. It is my go to tea cup when I want a special cup of tea. The next time our daughters are in town, I am going to have an afternoon tea with all the trimmings. I have collected tea pots and cups, so it will be easy to set the table.
    Thank you for an interesting post.

    • I love collecting teapots and cups, Patricia. It’s nice that you and your mother shared a special tea time in the afternoons. It’s the people that make teas special now a days.

  26. No. I have never been to any of the teas you mentioned. I am more of an iced tea drinker. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.

  27. I have been to and hosted several afternoon teas for friends. One of my most cherished birthdays was when some friends took me to an honest-to-goodness tea room for high tea. For my 25th anniversary my husband gave me a lovely tea set. If you like the white teas, try white tea with peach. It is amazing.

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