Tea has had long-standing social appeal. Ever since afternoon tea first became popular in 1840 England, the practice has continued. The team at Taylor Morrison thinks it would be fun to have an actual tea tasting right at home, so friends can get together, relax and find out what different teas have to offer.
Ideas for Hosting a Casual Spring Garden Tea Party
Know your teas – There’s a wealth of teas out there, most of which you may never have even sipped before. Teas have varying amounts of caffeine, from none (rooibos chai and herbal) to 40-60 mg (black). Brew times and heat levels depend on the type of tea. For other brewing recommendations for hot and iced teas, leave it to the Tea Association of the U.S.A.
Get the right food – If you don’t want to provide all of the food yourself, assign a different item to each guest. Tea sandwiches generally go well with most teas. For sandwich recipes, check out these recommendations at teatimemagazine.com. Other great tea food ideas include Blackberry Ricotta Pizza, Iced Tea Lemon Cake, and Cucumber Appetizers.
Create an inspired setting – If spring weather permits, which it probably will if you live in Sarasota or own a new home in Southern California, set your party up outdoors. Tea parties are perfect for bringing out your lovely old china pieces. Don’t have any? Head to a second hand store, and remember, mix and match is good. Search for a tier cake stand, a teapot and teacups.
These tips will get you on your way, but really, the secret to hosting an inspired spring tea tasting comes down to good friends, great teas, tasty food and a light-hearted ambience.
