Tea Fit for a King

It's time to put on our fancy hats and plan the ultimate afternoon tea fit for a king! As we eagerly await the coronation of King Charles, let's take a moment to appreciate the time-honoured tradition of afternoon tea in the UK. It's the perfect way to celebrate a special occasion and indulge in a selection of scrumptious treats.

Let’s take a look at how to do a proper afternoon tea for King Charles' coronation and provide you with some perfect pairings with treats.

Be sure to watch Tory's recent interview on CTV News Vancouver where they discuss what it takes to create the perfect afternoon tea.

What is Afternoon Tea?

Let me spill the tea on the history of afternoon tea. Legend has it that back in the 19th century, the Duchess of Bedford had a hankering for a snack between lunch and dinner, and thus, afternoon tea was born. It quickly became a fashionable social event among the upper classes in Britain and soon spread like wildfire.

Now, you may be wondering why afternoon tea is so important in British tradition. It’s more than just a time to indulge in scrumptious scones and finger sandwiches. It's a cultural institution, a moment to pause and relax, to catch up with friends, and to take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life. It's a quintessential part of British hospitality and is often seen as a symbol of sophistication and elegance.

But let me tell you, afternoon tea is not to be confused with high tea. While both involve tea and tasty treats, high tea is a heartier affair typically enjoyed by the working class after a long day's work. It usually consists of more substantial dishes like meat pies and baked beans, and is served at a higher table.

Afternoon tea, on the other hand, is a more refined and dainty affair, served on a low table with delicate china and tiered trays of dainty sandwiches and pastries.

What do I need for Afternoon Tea?

Let's talk about the basics of afternoon tea. An afternoon tea typically consists of three elements: tea, sandwiches, and sweets. Traditionally, it is served on a three-tier tower, one level for each of the elements.

When it comes to tea, you can never go wrong with a classic black tea, a favourite among the Brits.

For this special day, we recommend trying a Darjeeling tea. Darjeeling is a black tea grown in the West Bengal region of India and is known as the “champagne of teas.” It also happens to be one of King Charles’ faves.

Next, let's talk about sandwiches. Sandwiches are typically small and delicate, and they should be served with the crusts removed. For King Charles' coronation, we recommend classic British sandwiches like cucumber and cream cheese, smoked salmon and cream cheese, and egg salad. Dare we suggest you consider a coronation chicken finger sandwich for the big day?

Next, scones - the crown jewel of any proper afternoon tea! Served warm and slathered with jam and clotted cream, they are the perfect treat to accompany a steaming cup of tea.

But let's not forget the proper way to serve scones for afternoon tea. First, we must ensure they are fresh out of the oven and still warm alongside small dishes of sweet jam and tangy clotted cream.

Now, when it comes to the great debate of whether to put jam or cream on first, well, that's up to you. Some say the Cornish way is to put cream first, while the Devon way is to put jam first. But I say, let's put them both on and enjoy the heavenly
combination!

Finally, let's talk about sweets. Sweets are the perfect way to end your afternoon tea, and there are plenty of options to choose from. Some classic sweets that would be perfect for King Charles' coronation include scones with , shortbread cookies, and fruit tarts.

A Perfect Pairing

Now, let's talk about a few things to keep in mind when pairing teas. We love doing a flight of tea - one for each ‘course’ or tier of your tower.

First, lighter teas pair well with lighter sweets, while stronger teas pair well with richer, more decadent treats.

For King Charles' coronation, we recommend pairing cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches with a light, floral tea like Earl Grey. Smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwiches pair well with a stronger tea like Assam. Finally, scones with clotted cream and jam pair well with a classic English Breakfast tea.

Happy Steeping

So, there you have it - a brief history of afternoon tea and why it's so important in British tradition.

With a little bit of planning, you can create the perfect tea that is fit for a king. Remember to keep your sandwiches small and delicate, choose classic British sweets, and pair your treats with the perfect tea. Now, go put the kettle on and let's raise a cuppa to this beloved ritual!