10 Tips for a Proper Tea Experience.

The joy in afternoon tea is the tasting of little savoriers and sweets, and the scones! It is also the motions of the whole proper experience. Here is a straightforward afternoon tea etiquette guide.

Afternoon Tea Etiquette Guide

1. There is an order to things

Sandwiches first, then the scones while they are warm, and finally the little cakes.

2. You can use your fingers to eat

This goes for the sandwiches and breaking the scones into two by hand (horizontally not vertically – eat each half like an open-faced sandwich…and never dunk it into the tea).

3. One person is designated as the “mother”, or the host

This person pours the tea for everyone at the table. Always place the strainer first (and don’t use teabags). As the receiver, give the host your cup and saucer.

4. First tea, then milk

And only milk, not cream. And milk (and sugar) is for black teas only.

The origins of pouring milk first were because of the working class who had a lesser quality of teacups that would crack when the boiling hot tea was poured. The milk tempered the cup before the tea was added.

5. Stir milk in tea in back and forth motion

That’s at 12 and 6 o’clock, not circular wherein it scrapes the sides. Place the spoon on the saucer and don’t drink from the spoon or put it in your mouth.

6. Let the tea cool down on its own

If it’s too hot, just wait and take smaller sips. Don’t blow on it.

7. Hold the teacup handles with your fingers

Pinch your index finger and thumb between the loop of the handle, and rest on the middle finger. Do not loop your fingers through the handle.

8. There is a way to place your teacup on your saucer

The handle stays at 3 o’clock if right-handed and 9 o’clock if left-handed.

9. The saucer stays on the table

That is while you are drinking at eating at the table. If your party is sitting with no table in front of you or are standing, that’s when you can hold the saucer in your hand.

10. Pinkie out is not a thing

This was a perception created by thinking it was posh. But it’s not. You don’t need to do it.

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