Every year, as an antidote to the months of hype and fever pitch of the day, I host an “I Hate Super Bowl Sunday High Tea.” While the football fans gather around the big screen, washing down bags of “convenience foods” with beer, those of us with an aversion to gridiron settle in front of the fire and quietly rebel with an old-fashioned British high tea. Instead of touchdowns and conversions, we enjoy finger sandwiches, pots of hot tea, classic scones and conversation. The only questionable call in this no-contact activity is who gets to be “Mother”—the person who pours the tea. For Super Bowl Sunday Scones, check here on our website.
—Charmian Christie
By Charmain Christie, who lives, writes and blogs about her favorite subject-food-from her home in Ontario.
, then you might enjoy these other stories.
Here are some of the current comments about this article. To read more or post your own comments,
Just a coment about High Tea. High Tea is an evening meal that originated in the North of England among the workman's families. It replaces supper in most English homes. It consists of substantial foods such as egg and bacon pie, ham, cooked vegetables, potatoes, bread and is served with tea.
Afternoon Tea is a light meal or refreshment served between 4 and 5 PM. It consists of finger sandwiches, cakes, pastries, and tea. It is a polite social affair.
For some reason, Americans misname High Tea and Afternoon Tea. Perhaps it is because "High Tea" sounds more posh and sophisticated than "Afternoon Tea". Whatever the case, High Tea is a substantial, working class, evening meal.
bumblesbounce
1/3/07 9:14 AM
Just a few references for High Tea v. Afternoon Tea
http://coffeetea.about.com/cs/culture/a/aftervshigh.htmhttp://www.seedsofknowledge.com/tea-etiquette2.html (point 10)
Yes, I realize I sound picky. A duck is a duck and a goose is a goose.
bumblesbounce
1/3/07 9:24 AM
You are quit right. As I posted under "Tea", High tea is a working class meal. England is a land of contradictions for example, a war is "a spot of trouble", dropping a dish and breaking it would be terrible.
dianab
1/6/07 5:24 AM
Yes, it drives me up the proverbial wall whenever I see establishments (that should know better) make this mistake. Nearby there is a hotel that offers "High Tea" complete with scones, clotted cream, egg-and-cress sandwiches, cucumber sandwiches, and a pianist tinkling the ivory while you have tea. I asked the manager of that hotel why they called it High Tea and not Afternoon Tea and he looked at me as though I had antennae and wings. Pitiful. I suppose their version of "Afternoon Tea" would include a egg and bacon pie and jugged herrings.
bumblesbounce
1/8/07 9:45 AM
You are quite right. High tea consists of beans on toast etc. I also see it everywhere in print. But how to educate the public?
dianab
1/9/07 4:23 AM
The only way to educate is to call attention to the mistake.
bumblesbounce
1/9/07 8:31 AM
I love any and all information about British tea customs through the years. I think a cup of tea in the afternoon is one of life's most enduring pleasures. I have begun tea parties with our grandchildren starting at their second birthdays, and at three they know they will have conversations with their Grammie at the same time as we drink our tea together. The youngest one is now 18 months, and she is fascinated by the whole procedure. When the grands awaken from their naps in the afternoon, they know that a tea party awaits and they will have their Grammie's undivided attention.
Katha Chamberlain
1/11/07 7:23 AM
You might enjoy a send-up of the whole phenomenon at:
http://web.mac.com/curvelogic
drcool
1/26/07 12:19 PM
<p>Keep talking about tea; it is great to see all the discussions and how tea is
growing in our society. <a href="http://www.tealaden.com">
www.tealaden.com</a></p>
tealaden.com
6/21/07 3:56 PM
Post your comments on this article
email this page
