TEATIME TIPS

The perfect high tea

DRESS CODE

Dress smart casual even though most high teas don’t specify a dress code. Ladies – it’s an excuse to pull out a pretty dress!

SCONES

These should be broken apart with the fingers and not sawed through with a knife or fork. Cream comes first; after which, jam is spread on top before you dig your fingers in. It’s taboo to sandwich the scones back together.

MANNERS

Finger food and mini-sandwiches should be eaten with your fingers, as the former’s name suggests. On the other hand, delicately small sweets require a fork or dessert spoon. Wait until everyone has served to start eating. Avoid picking food off the tower with your fingers and use a fork if servers haven’t been provided. Never remove a plate from the tower. Start serving from the plate at the bottom.

STIRRING

The proper way to stir tea is to place the spoon at the 6 o’clock position and gently stir towards 12 o’clock while avoiding the sides of the cup. Do not fold the liquid back and forth or sideto-side. After stirring, the spoon is to be placed on the saucer. Do not tap the spoon on the side of the cup to shake off drips.

PINKIE FINGER

Contrary to popular belief, the pinkie finger stays down when holding the teacup or sipping tea.

DUNKING

Dunking biscuits in your tea – a Sri Lankan ‘home comfort’ – should stay at home! This enjoyable practice is not acceptable at public events.

BREWING

A longer brewing time increases the level of antioxidants in the tea, which is said to have many health benefits. But three to six minutes is the general recommendation to avoid damaging the flavour.

ORDER

Should you add the milk to tea or the tea to milk? It’s hotly debated; but both methods are perfectly acceptable. However, the classy way to start the process is with the sugar; then, fill your cup about three-quarters with tea and add the desired amount of milk.

SIPPING

When sipping tea, look into the cup and not over the rim.

NAPKIN

As teatime draws to a close, remove the napkin from your lap and place it to the left of your dishes. If you need to excuse yourself, place your napkin on your chair, not on the table.