Don't be told that tea has to be served only "at five o'clock" and come to us to experience an exceptional tea ritual full of great tastes, aromas and, above all, relaxation at any time.
Do you know where, when and why the "tea at five o'clock" ritual was created? Let us clarify the history of one of the most interesting phenomena in the world of drinks…
The original expression "tea at five" arose out of sheer boredom, when Duchess Anne of Bedford, a great friend of Queen Victoria, invited a few friends in 1840 and served them light sandwiches, biscuits and tea, naturally all on silver and china. The tradition spread quickly and in the second half of the 19th century the "tea meeting" was one of the important social events. The ladies showed off in gorgeous dresses with beautiful jewels, the gentlemen put on jackets and sat together on couches and armchairs to debate trivial topics, starting with the weather and social gossip.
spave service
If you are organizing a tea party, learn how to prepare tea properly:
pour as many teaspoons of loose tea into the teapot as you plan to serve, and add one more teaspoon. Pour over almost boiling water and let steep for about 4-6 minutes, the longer the tea leaves are larger. If you drink tea with milk like Duchess Anna, then pour the milk into the mug first, then pour the tea. Sugar changes the taste of tea, so orthodox connoisseurs of the ritual do not use it. What you should serve with tea: everyone mistakenly thinks that butter biscuits, but why not, start with small sandwiches cut into small triangles, spread with whipped butter and embedded with slices of cucumber. Then continue with pastries called "scones", tea loaves that you eat with two fingers and be careful not to raise your little finger like the aristocrats in the palace of the duchess. At the end, a cake can be served, thus the host or hostess indicates that "tea at five" is coming to an end.
scones
Cut the typical English tea pastry (which was also loved by the great English detective, Agatha Christie) lengthwise and spread "clotted cream" on it. Place a dollop of marmalade on top. Eat scones with two fingers as the aristocrats used to do in Duchess Anne's palace (more on history and five o'clock tea' on the last page).
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