TeaTime Spring 2005

Summers are long and leisurely in charming Charleston, South Carolina. So when we were invited to visit one of the historic homes overlooking the harbor, with the promise of tea served by one of the city’s most popular and well-loved caterers, we quickly accepted. Frances Hamby and the delicious and beautiful foods she prepared for us exceeded our expectations. As I nibbled the tasty shrimp salad finger sandwiches, the unique miniature corn muffins filled with a tasty mix that included collard greens, and other sumptuous tea foods, I listened to Frances’ story and gained a new appreciation for the creative work she has done in the city for over a quarter of a century. Her catering calendar fills years in advance, and it is rumored that once the engagement ring is…

Southern Salutations There are those who believe that courtesy has gone the way of the Edsel, but as any Southerner will tell you, it's not necessarily so. In the South, an asked-for favor is sugared up with a “please,” while one that is granted is—literally— noted with a “thank you.” The keepsake cards and pen sets that sell by the dozens at Summerhill, Ltd. in Homewood, Alabama, bring together two of the South’s most revered traditions: tea-time trifles and good manners. “Southern ladies have always written thank-you notes and taken tea with their girlfriends,” says Summerhill owner Anne Hultquist, who adds that courtesy, like afternoon tea with a friend, is the kind of tradition that never falls out of fashion. “Some things are just tried and true,” Anne says. “I think…

Q I read conflicting advice in etiquette books regarding where to place the napkin when I briefly leave the table. Some authors say on the table, others say on the chair. Whose advice is correct and why? Also, is there additional tea and dining napkin etiquette I should know? A Place your napkin on your chair, not on the table, when you briefly leave the table. To validate my answer, I kindly refer you to Letitia Baldrige’s New Manners for New Times, page 198, and The Art of the Table, by Suzanne Von Drachenfels, page 536. The authors are respected and recognized in the etiquette and protocol industry. Finally, as an etiquette historian, I stringently research the subjects I write about and teach. The word napkin derives from the old French napéron,…

There are few Easter rituals more pleasurable than dyeing eggs. Remember the fun you had as a child, dunking the white orbs into pools of colored liquid, creating a veritable rainbow of hues? This season, recapture that joy—albeit with a slightly different twist. Instead of using pre-packaged dye, try tea, which will give your eggs a more subtle, natural shade. Different types of tea will impart different hues, so experiment with a variety of teas for a colorful assortment. Whether you choose to hide the finished eggs or display them as a centerpiece on your tea table, they’ll make a lovely addition to any Easter event. Eggs of a Different Color The chart below is a basic indication of colors imparted by various teas. (Note: Blending two teas together will create an even…

Among the world’s most aromatic flowers, red roses are perfectly paired with a cup of Darjeeling. The tea’s delicate perfume complements rather than competes with the redolence of the rose. Lavender roses are a welcome addition to any proper teatime bouquet. Considered the “rose of sweet thoughts,” lavender or blue roses also represent tea time’s most notable qualities: grace, gentility, and refinement. For thousands of years, the Chinese have cultivated both orchids and green tea. Each is valued for its exotic beauty, as well as perceived healing properties. How fitting to enjoy the two together! As the weather warms in time for spring, a glass of lemon-laced iced tea is a bracing restorative any time of day. The sweet citrusy scent of the lemon combined with the subtle sachet of yellow roses refreshes…

There are few things quite as relaxing as spending some quality time with a good cup of tea—few things, that is, other than a pampering spa experience. It only follows naturally, then, that combining the two would result in a supremely serene way to spend a quiet afternoon, be it with a good friend or all by yourself. The best part is, you don’t even have to leave the house. Almost everything needed to create a luxurious tea spa can be found in the comfortable oasis of your own home. Beauty & the Tea The first ingredient for any successful tea spa is, of course, tea. The same beverage that soothes your soul can also have calming effects on your face, body, and hair. In recent years, the cosmetic industry has begun…