Tea

A Proper Tea is much nicer than a Very Nearly Tea,
Which is one you forget about afterwards.

A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh

Light Tea

Biscuit sized fruit scones, jam, cream spread, shortbreads, and your choice of three high quality loose leaf teas, or tea bags, if preferred.

This is the perfect choice for late morning or mid-afternoon.

Fine teas offered include: Oolong, Darjeeling, Green Tea, Earl Grey, Herbal Blend Tisanes (no caffeine), and Black Tea Blends.

Tea Luncheon

A delightful meal featuring Warm Scones with Jam, a Salad Trio (savory chicken, pasta, and fruit or green salads) with Summer Soup Sippers or

Hot Soups offered for Fall and Winter.* A light dessert follows featuring a selection of our signature SPC Sorbet and Shortbread.

*Menus are updated regularly to reflect seasonal availability of fruits and vegetables.

Beverages include Iced Tea (Black Currant, Pekoe and Mint, Apricot, or decaffeinated Hibiscus Rose Tisane), and Hot Tea offered with dessert. Coffee is available at an additional charge.

Afternoon Four Course Tea

Fruit Scones, Savories and Sandwiches, Sweets, and Cake make this a satisfying repast! Guests will enjoy a choice of four fine teas, (caterer's selection), complimenting each course. Servers are on hand to pour. Traditional tiered tea trays featuring each course can be offered buffet style or on individual dining tables.

Tea Trivia Tips *

Tea has been grown and consumed in Asia for thousands of years. The western world discovered its delight much later. Catherine of Braganza, a Portuguese princess, introduced it to England's royal court in the 1600's.

Clipper ships made the availability of tea plentiful and affordable for purchase in London. Soon tea was being consumed in almost every home.

Tea became a symbol of temperance and preferred by those troubled by the widespread consumption of alcohol.

The first public tearooms opened in Scotland in 1875 and the famous Willow Tea Rooms remain open to this day! Tea rooms became the acceptable place for women to visit without a male chaperone. Palm Courts or tea lounges offered musical entertainment with its tropical décor.

Tea Terms*

Cream Tea - probably originated in Devon or Cornwall, a simple menu of scones, strawberry preserves, clotted cream, and a choice of tea

Light Tea - a lighter version of Afternoon Tea, with scones, sweets, and choice of tea

Afternoon or Full Tea - a complete 4 course menu with finger sandwiches or savories, scones, sweets, cake, and a choice of tea

Royal Tea - a regal meal offering a choice of tea, a four course menu, and a glass of champagne or sherry

High Tea - a hearty, simple, sit down meal probably originating during the time of the Industrial Revolution. In the British tradition, it was the main meal of the day for workers who returned home very hungry after a long day. "High Tea" today might be offered as a buffet meal and alcohol served.

Tea Etiquette *

Scones - Slice horizontally and rest on plate, spoon a small amount of jam or cream on to the plate, spread one bite at a time, not over the whole scone. Rest the knife on plate.

When using a tea bag, allow it to steep for several minutes. Do not jiggle the bag up and down! Don't place the wet tea bag on the saucer for your cup or you will have a dripping tea cup. Request another saucer if needed or rest the tea bag on a special holder provided.

Never place your cell phone on the table.

Don't extend your pinkie when drinking tea…it looks ridiculous!

*Excerpts from Dorothea Johnson's Tea and Etiquette, The Protocol School of Washington