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.
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.
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.
So 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.
Until Next Time,
Kit
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