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How to Host the Perfect Afternoon Tea at Home
Feature: Long Read
Words By Bridie Newman
There are few traditions more quintessentially British than afternoon tea – expect, perhaps, tea in The Harrods Tea Rooms, where we’ve perfected the ritual for more than 100 years. A wonderful way to celebrate special occasions like birthdays and baby showers, it’s a custom many practice at home, too.
But wait – should scones be eaten before or after sandwiches? Should you have pinkies in or out? In honour of our 175th anniversary (fun fact: Charles Henry Harrod actually began his career as a tea merchant and grocer) we asked our afternoon tea experts to share their Harrods guide to teatime etiquette. Now, whoever you have coming for tea (tiger, king, mother-in-law), you can host in total confidence.
First things first, decide what kind of tea party you’re hosting – afternoon tea, cream tea or high tea? See the difference in our frequently asked questions and our menu suggestions below. Once you’ve landed on one of the three, you’ll need suitable a teaware set.
Choosing the Best Teaware for the Occasion
An excuse to dress up and indulge, afternoon tea is a lavish affair deserving of equally lavish teaware. For a proper fine-bone china or handcrafted porcelain tea set, we favour heritage brands such as Wedgwood, Royal Copenhagen and Halcyon Days. For a full afternoon tea service, you’ll need a teapot, teacups and saucers, plus a cake stand, strainer, milk jug, sugar bowl, serving plates, an extra teapot of water (for those who prefer weak tea), cutlery and napkins.High tea, being a more of a supper, will require extra serveware, while for cream tea – a lighter affair where scones take centre stage – you can forgo the cake stand and platters.
Afternoon Tea
Cream Tea
High Tea
WHAT'S THE PROPER TIME TO TAKE TEA?
"Traditionally, four o’clock is recommended to enjoy afternoon tea as it’s a respectable distance between lunch and dinner but on our clock, any time is a good time for tea."
Pouring the All-Important Tea
As with any event, once you’ve mastered the most important element, everything else will fall into place. In this instance, it’s all about the brew. Having served afternoon tea since 1911, we know a thing or two about how to make the perfect cup of tea.
For the finest tasting cup, we recommend using loose-leaf tea. Replicate The Harrods Tea Rooms experience at home with the No.18 Georgian Blend and No.42 Earl Grey or impress your guests with a seasonal summer blend. And remember: tea before milk, always. Pour closely to the cup to avoid splashing, then add milk to each one individually and hand them out, rather than pouring in bulk.
HOW SHOULD I STIR AND DRINK TEA?
"Stir clockwise starting from 6 o’clock to 12 o’clock, moving your spoon back and forth, without touching the edges of the cup to avoid the clinking sound. Leave the saucer on the table when sipping your tea."
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The Tea Guide
Read & ShopPop the kettle on – from the different types of tea to how to brew the perfect cuppa, our experts give you the spill on how best to enjoy our world-renowned tea.
Afternoon tea should include a selection of mini patisserie or cakes, freshly baked scones, and sandwiches, all artfully arranged on a cake stand, with savouries at the bottom. Serve with endless cups of loose-leaf tea and, if you’re feeling extra indulgent, Champagne. When it comes to the best bit (eating the food), our suggestion is sandwiches first, then scones, then patisserie or cake to finish. Apart from to spread clotted cream and jam, cutlery isn’t needed. As the name suggests, finger sandwiches are made to be eaten with your fingers.
CREAM OR JAM FIRST?
"When it comes to scones, it really depends on your preference and whether you prefer the Cornish way (cream first, then jam) or the Devon way (jam first, then cream)."
Tea Time Treats Hamper
Make light work of hosting teatime with our dedicated hamper. Packing almost 175 years of teatime wisdom into one wicker basket, it has everything you need – from English Breakfast tea and sweet strawberry jam to crumbly all-butter dark-chocolate-chip shortbread biscuits. It makes the perfect gift for a tea party host, too.
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The Food Halls
Cater the ultimate afternoon tea with help from Harrods chefs. Head to the Fresh Market Hall for our trio of mini brioche sandwiches filled with lobster, prawn cocktail and truffled egg-mayo. Next, follow the smell of freshly baked bread to the Roastery & Bake Hall for your scones and finish up on the patisserie counter for our mini summer patisserie set including a lemon meringue tart, Timut pepper lime, apricot and thyme tart, strawberry yuzu bar and exotic chocolate délice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Answered by The Harrods Tea Rooms
Milk or no milk?
Milk can be added to black tea according to preference but shouldn’t be added to green, oolong or infusions.
Tea or milk first?
In the past, milk was added first to protect the crockery from cracking but that isn’t necessary today and we always recommend tea first.
What’s the best way to hold a teacup?
Your teacup handle should be parallel to you, facing 3 o’clock (9 o’clock if you’re left-handed). Pinch your index finger and thumb between the loop of the handle and support the bottom with your middle finger. Pinkies in, always.
How should I break the scones?
Despite popular belief, scones are not recommended to be cut in half. Instead, the suggestion is to place the scone on a plate and tear off bite-sized chunks, applying jam and clotted cream as you go.
How should I leave the table?
Place the napkin on the left side of the place when leaving the table. This is an indicator to the host that you wish to be invited back.
Home Entertaining
Prepare for a season of fabulous garden parties, gourmet barbecues, decadent picnics and more with Harrods as your guide.
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