Patio Dining: Afternoon Tea

Afternoon Tea is a charming way to spend hours dining & chatting on the patio. From the delicate plates and decorations to the delicious array of savory & sweet treats,  Afternoon Tea is sure to be a delight. Choose a day with nice weather and invite your friends over for an experience they won't forget.

Afternoon Tea at The Cliff House Hotel


To host an Afternoon Tea, all you need is tea & some tasty treats (traditionally finger sized). Common food pairings include English Scones with Jam & Cream, Cakes, Pastries, Tea Sandwiches, Biscuits, Crackers and Spread. Once you have your snacks, consider how you want to present your tea. Do you want to use loose leaf teas or buy ready-to-go sachets? What about a beautiful blooming tea that everyone can admire as it turns from what looks like a large nut to a gorgeous flower? For blooming teas, you will need a glass teapot for full effect. 

TEA
It is important to know which tea best fits your preferences.Teas range in flavor & caffeine levels. These are a few of the classic blends you can find at a local grocery store.
  • Black Tea (40 mg) - rich &bold flavor, great for the tea enthusiast
  • Oolong Tea (30 mg)- aromatic, bold, roasty, smooth flavor. Can also be sweet and toasty (depends on where the tea leaves were grown); good for those wanting a stronger tea, but with less flavor than Black Tea
  • Green Tea (20 mg)- subtle flavor with light grassy undertones; happy medium
  • White Tea (10 mg)- very light flavor, subtly sweet, typically infused with hints of fruity floral notes; great for tea beginners
  • Herbal Teas, Fruit Tisanes & Rooibos (0 mg)- Minimal tea flavor with fruity/herbal subtly sweet taste; good for tea beginners and those wanting no caffeine 
    • Common herbal/fruit tisanes: Hibiscus, Lavender, Peppermint, Chamomile, Raspberry, Cardamom, Artichoke, Chrysanthemum, Cinnamon, Dandelion, Ginseng, Goji, Lemongrass
* mg of caffeine based off of per 8oz serving

TREATS
Savory or sweet, chewy or crunchy, creamy or chunky, these treats are destined to be a perfect accompaniment to a fine cup of tea.

 Shortbread Cookies
Crisp buttery delights that melt in your mouth.


Image & Recipe from Food.com
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 
  2. Cream together 1/2 lb butter & 1/2 c powdered sugar.
  3. Add in 2 c flour; mix well. 
  4. Roll into 1 in rounds (or squares) & line on a baking sheet. 
  5. Bake 10-12 min or until lightly golden. 

 Egg Salad Sandwiches
Creamy filling that is so egg-cellent you'll be reaching for more.


Image & Recipe from Food Network
  1. Put 1 dozen eggs into a large stockpot. Fill the pot with water until the water level is above the eggs. 
  2. Turn the stove on high and bring pot to a boil. Then, turn off the heat and cover the pot. Let the eggs cook in the water for 20 minutes. 
  3. When finished cooking, pour out the water and refill the pot with cold water; let eggs rest for 5 minutes. 
  4. Crack and peel the eggs. Then, refrigerate eggs until they are cold (at least 3 hours).
  5. Once eggs are cold, finely chop the boiled eggs and add them to a large bowl. 
  6. Add 1/2 c mayonnaise, 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives, 2 tbsp yellow mustard, salt & pepper to taste. Mix well. 
  7. Spread the egg mixture onto bread. Cut each sandwich into 3 wedges to make a good portion for mini tea sandwiches.

Tasty Recommendations 


Blueberry Scones from Taste of Home

Salmon Tartine from Food52
Photo by kedivine
              

Lemon Tea Bread from Taste of Home
              

PATIO TEA PARTY

Host your Afternoon Tea in a comfortable setting. At first glance, Corranade Chat Set is a beautiful refined set and elegant like Afternoon Tea. Once you sit down, you quickly realize how plush the cushions are. The spacious coffee table allows easy access to food and tea. And finally, the best part is that Corranade offers many cushion colors, so you can pick your favorite and sip away in style.

Corrande Conversation comes with 1 Coffee Table & 4 Chat Chairs. 
Available online & in store* at The Home Depot.
*Call your local Home Depot to see if this patio set is available at your store.








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