How Do You Hold A Colonial Irish Afternoon Tea?
Tea first came to Ireland in 1835 and was popular among the wealthy. Today, Ireland consumes more tea per capita than any other country, and the beverage is served three times a day. Afternoon tea is the most elegant of the three and was a popular gathering time for ladies of status in colonial Ireland. Plan the tea for about 3:00 p.m. Set up a table with the best linens and china, preferably Irish bone china or porcelain. Stack serving plates and linen napkins for the guests. Arrange scones, breads and tea cakes on biscuit plates and pedestal plates. Offer the jams and curds in small bone china or crystal bowls with small silver serving spoons. Put out butter, clotted cream and creme fraiche. Include a centerpiece of “oxalis rubra” (shamrocks) and small floral arrangements set in crystal stemware. Tape a number to the bottom of each tea saucer and assign one of those numbers to the pot of shamrocks. Have each guest check the number on her plate at the end of the tea. Award the shamroc
