High tea is an English meal that gained popularity in the 1600s, especially among labourers. It was often substantial, contrasted with other types of tea where a few cakes might be served. High tea was often called meat tea because hearty dishes were served, perhaps meat sandwiches, or hot cooked food like meat pies, and Welsh rarebit. Cold meats, bread, cheese, crackers and a variety of desserts like cakes could make up part of the menu.
I love to DO, HIGH TEA! If there were no kilojoules or expectation of payment involved, I would be there every day. I love sharing a HIGH TEA with special friends or family.
My most recent HIGH TEA was Mothers Day last, when my 3 year old granddaughter and my daughter and I DID it!
Lulabelle (granddaughter) and I had been practicing being ‘ladies’ in our recent play activities. Lula loves to play at cooking and having picnics in the family room. She likes to make me [pretend] cups of tea and we put our pinky finger in the air when we hold the cup! So she was well prepared to be well-behaved and a little ‘posh’ while she had her first HIGH TEA!
Places providing the high tea experience are popping up all over the place in Brisbane in recent times. When I was working, one of the ways my colleagues and I often celebrated special events eg birthday, babies, engagements, wedding or leaving; by sharing HIGH TEA. I must admit this is mainly with women!
The ‘girly’ in me comes out at HIGH TEA times [it’s deeply hidden at all other times!]. I really enjoy and appreciate the lovely, [usually] floral crockery, delicately assembled sandwiches and tarts, small cakes and scones.
My son once shouted my husband and me to HIGH TEA at the GRAND HYATT HOTEL in Tokyo. Now that was an experience we won’t ever forget! Seeing lovely little Japanese women in their Kimono, seated at low tables that were topped with cake towers about a metre tall. The towers were laden with sweet and savoury delicacies from British cuisine to the Orient. Yes, we had [the Japanese] version of scones and cream, delicious tarts filled with red bean, meringues topped by liqueur creams – oooh, I am salivating with the memories.
We didn’t want the time to end. Actually, every time a layer of the cake tower emptied (because we ate it all) they refilled it with more, and often different, yummy things. I know it cost my son and arm and a leg, but the memories it has left are well worth it from my point of view!
Have you ever had a HIGH TEA? What is your experience? I would love to know and maybe you can promote a location that provides HIGH TEA so that others can experience it too!
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