Table of contents for July - August 2009 in TeaTime

The long twilight of a summer evening is an ideal time to gather your neighbors and friends for a high tea to celebrate one of the season’s traditional pleasures—the arrival of fireflies. In the peaceful deepening of the night sky, wait for the magical miniature lights that signal their return. Pour steaming cups of tea for everyone as you recall childhood memories of chasing the summer sparklers. Using the make-ahead menu from our themed tea, A Firefly High Tea, you’ll be ready to fill the table with delicious foods and relax with your guests. I am often asked to explain the difference between high tea and other teas, and referring to Tea & Etiquette, by etiquette expert Dorothea Johnson, I quote these passages: Although often confused with afternoon tea, high…

The tea family most consumed by Western cultures is black tea, which can be offered as single-estate, blended, or flavored. A well-stocked cupboard should include at least four classic, handpicked, unflavored, black teas from the major growing regions of the world. spotlight on black tea • Assam This robust, malty tea is from the northeast Indian state of Assam, where over 800 tea gardens are cultivated. It is often manufactured for breakfast and is suited to the addition of milk. Look for a mellow tippy grade to accompany Afternoon Tea meals. • Darjeeling A delicate, slightly green black tea, Darjeeling hails from the Himalayan foothills of India. Eighty-six gardens in Darjeeling produce exceptional, and expensive, teas known for their distinctive muscatel overtones. The four yearly pickings are First Flush, Second…

Few pairings are more flawless than tomato and basil. Perhaps it has something to do with the parallel seasonality of the duo—both are at their most flavorful during the summer months. Each one has the ability to make the other taste more fully like itself, and the pleasing combination is a delightful addition to teatime. Celebrate summer’s perfect pair with fluffy, flaky scones filled with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil. Though they would be a welcome part of a full Afternoon Tea, they are also delectable nibbled on their own with a cup of light, summery green tea or a deliciously deep Darjeeling. SAVORY TOMATO-BASIL SCONES Makes 16 scones 2 cups self-rising flour ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon garlic powder 1/3 cup finely ground dehydrated sun-dried tomatoes (not packed in…

What better way to enjoy an awe-inspiring novel than with tea and togetherness? Invite friends to share in the enjoyment of a great book and delight in the lengthy days of summer by opening your home for a lovely Afternoon Tea. You and your guests can mingle, sip tea, and converse about a chosen written work. Themes from classic literature and other thought-provoking subjects will encourage discussion and stimulate the imagination. For our book club tea menu, we’ve selected simple yet sophisticated delectable sweets and savories to complement our beloved beverage of choice. As your guests gather and become immersed in pleasant discussion, serve dainty savories such as our Parmesan and Pecan Shortbread and Shrimp Bisque in bread bowls with a selection of herbal, black, and green teas. Entertain guests…

Summertime often brings a taste for cool, lighter fare. In the midst of the sizzling heat, a traditional chilled salad comes to mind as the perfect starter to Afternoon Tea. Although preparation is simple, our stunning shrimp salad is sure to tantalize taste buds and make a splendid impression on your guests. This culinary seafood delight, freshest in the summer months, is considered a delicacy around the world. The succulent, plump shrimp in this salad absorb the subtle tanginess of lime and delicate sweetness of mango, while summer corn lends a crisp surprise. Paired with buttery avocado and red pepper, the beautiful combination reflects the bounty of the season. Fresh herbs enliven the dish for a light and refreshing teatime treat. Serve atop delicate young microgreens for a sophisticated presentation.…

Necessary Things Page 12: Rosana Les Jardin De Paris Collection, 4 (8-inch) assorted scalloped plates, $50, 4 assorted mugs, $50, teapot, $40, medium pitcher, $58, all available at rosannainc.com. Juliska small cake pedestal, $135; Waterford “Grace” teapot, $129, and “Ava” teacup and saucer, set, $59, all available at Bromberg’s, 205-871-3276 or brombergs.com. Daisy eyelet napkin in white, $10 each, and Daisy eyelet place mat in green, $12 each, both available at potterybarn.com. Juliska napkin rings, $24 each, available at Bromberg’s, 205-871-3276 or brombergs.com. Collectable ceramic spoons, $4.95 each, available at Miss Rosemarie’s Special Teas, 205-980-8335. Page 13: Glass drink dispenser, $350, available at GO Home Ltd., 718-445-4022 for retailers. Juliska “Tessa” large pitcher, $130 and “Tessa” large tumblers, $34 each, all available at Bromberg’s, 205-871-3276 or brombergs.com. Round butter dishes,…

Rosy-skinned and softly fragrant, peaches lend themselves to a wide variety of dishes that are lovely additions to a warm-weather tea. The lush, juicy fruit is a summertime classic, and its honeyed sweetness is at its peak in July and August. Celebrate peaches with six sweet and savory recipes that perfectly showcase this seasonal favorite. Salty, spicy, and sweet tastes blend harmoniously in Prosciutto-Wrapped Peaches with Spicy Glaze—a delectable starter. Another first-course option, a cooling salad of peaches, grapefruit, celery, and hazelnuts, is ideal for a summer afternoon. Crostini topped with pork tenderloin, peaches, and a peach-infused pesto is a simple yet stunning savory treat. A showstopping tart with a crumbly rosemary-flecked cornmeal crust and creamy ricotta filling is crowned with ripe peach slices and topped with glistening peach jam.…

There are few things more refreshing than a day at the seashore. From the warm sand between your toes to the balmy kiss of the salt air, spending time at the beach is a classic summertime pursuit. But even if you happen to be miles away from the coast, it’s easy to imagine the sound of waves just outside with an Afternoon Tea menu of light, seasonal fare on a table set with the blues and greens of gently tumbled sea glass. A centerpiece of shells and starfish and place cards made from a single seashell are pretty touches, and white cord lightly tied around napkins is a gentle nod to sailor’s knots. The light, summery foods sing of the shore. Fresh, light crab salad on flaky croissants, cool tomato-andcorn…

TEA & CRUMPETS: RECIPES AND RITUALS FROM EUROPEAN TEAROOMS & CAFES Chronicle Books food enthusiast and European aficionado Margaret M. Johnson takes readers on a journey through Europe’s celebrated salons and tearooms, bringing a taste of the delightful fare that enhances the Afternoon Tea experience. When Anna Maria, Duchess of Bedford, England, began “taking tea” in the early nineteenth century, her affection for the beverage led to a social event that expanded into elegant tea parties and afternoon rituals of drinking tea with dainty sweets and petite savories. Elegant hotels followed suit, and tearooms sprouted throughout Europe. According to author Margaret M. Johnson, Afternoon Tea became a British tradition “where a fondness for tea and a penchant for sweets come together most agreeably around four o’clock each afternoon.” This pleasant…

There is something about the warm summer months that brings a sense of relaxation and calms the soul. Mark Twain describes it perfectly in his 1889 novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court: “It was a soft, reposeful summer landscape, as lovely as a dream, and as lonesome as Sunday.” This season often conjures up images of beautifully set tables beneath shady oak trees, cozy rocking chairs on grand white-painted porches, and delightful cups of tea served outdoors. With summer also come beautiful seasonal berries that can be showcased in a dessert perfect for adding a crowning touch to an Afternoon Tea. Summer Berry Charlottes, quick-to-fix individual servings of creamy mousse surrounded by light and airy ladyfingers and topped with flavorful raspberries, is a teatime treat reminiscent of the…