If you are planning to throw a tea party, setting the menu of your high tea can be daunting, but it is fairly simple. On the basis of the occasion, your high tea menu can be limited to just cream scones and tea or extremely wide including multiples types of tea, finger sandwiches, scones, and other treats.
If you are feeling fancy, you can even reserve a chic place that serves delectable food for the same. Either way, the tips mentioned below will help you in planning a high tea in Auckland and find a perfect combination of drinks and food for the event.
Tea
High tea has become more about refreshments than tea. However, if the tea is not looked upon with care, it can affect the overall experience of the guests. You should choose from a variety of teas and know which type of tea goes well with which type of food.
Try to choose bold teas for strongly flavored or rich foods, and the delicate teas for subtle foods. Do not forget to add one caffeine-free drink like herbal tea as well. Some of your guests may be sensitive to caffeine.
Scones and Scone Toppings
A scone is amongst the most popular food items for high tea menus. Scones can be savory or sweet, and plain or complex. From basic buttermilk scones, sweet cinnamon scones, savory cheddar mustard scones, you can choose any.
If the tea party includes serving girls, you can go for raspberry scones that are pink natural, as the berries release pink color when they are kneaded with the dough. Pay attention to the scone spreads or toppings such as clotted cream, lemon curd, or Devonshire cream.
Milk and Condiments
Sugar, lemon, and milk are optional ingredients, which the guests can add to the tea on their own. Depending on the types of tea you have chosen for the occasion, you can serve milk, lemon, sugar, and other additives.
Finger Sandwiches
Tea sandwiches or finger sandwiches are usually served at full tea or the heavier style of the high tea menu. Classic high tea finger sandwiches involve tea sandwiches, smoked salmon finger sandwiches, cucumber tea sandwiches, roast beef finger sandwiches, chicken salad finger sandwiches, ham finger sandwiches, and egg salad.
You can choose to amp up your high tea game by serving more complex sandwiches. However, keep the flavor of the sandwiches according to the tea.
Sweets, Savories, and Beverages
You can serve sweets like Madeleines, trifles, cupcakes, and sponge cakes. You can also include a wide range of flavors in your sweets like seasonal fruits, vanilla, cream, or chocolate. In savories, you can add soups, seasoned nuts, crackers, or cheese, and quiches. Beverages that you can keep in your high tea part are juice, punch, iced tea, champagne, or tea cocktail.
The Bottom Line
Throwing a high tea party can be overwhelming but with professional help and some knowledge about the flavors, you can impress all your guests. A useful tip is to include seasonal ingredients on the menu as well as tea, like strawberry tea. Now, begin preparing for the best high tea party for your guests.