I wonder how many people still have Afternoon Tea, in proper cups with proper cake on proper plates?
We do still have a cup of Lapsang each afternoon, but not in these cups. We should use them more often; I don't know why we don't. Instead we use plain white mugs, and the cake (if Lady M has made any) is served on plain white plates.
How many families, I wonder, have a similar Tea set that is kept for 'special occasions' only. Well over half of us I'm sure. We should use them daily, and if one or two get chipped or broken; then so be it.
The above photo was taken last year when I'd been really looking forward to a slice of Battenburg, after a cake-less three months in France. It looked lovely, but I really didn't enjoy it. It was far too sweet and sickly.
Lady M's Lemon drizzle would have been far better.
You are right about using them. What's the point of taking up cupboard space? I have about well over a dozen examples (not sets, just cup saucer plate) inherited from grandmothers, great aunts and mother. They are a family story, but who after me will even know that story unless I bring them out. Thanks for the nudge.
ReplyDeleteI have two complete 'sets', the best of which is the one above. Why I keep the other set I have no idea. Sadly they're worth almost nothing, no-one wants them.
DeleteBring them out and tell the story if only to visiting friends. Such stories should never die. Maybe friends would like one setting each to remember you by.
DeleteI've never been a fan of Battendownthehatches cake.... also find it too sickly... too much sugar in the marzipan usually.
ReplyDeleteI had an aunt who used to make her own, including the marzipan.... now that I would eat again.... the sweetness was in the sponge and the two colours tasted different... vanilla and rose and apricot jam as the glue... and her marzipan tasted of almonds, not sugar.... I used to get ticked off by my father, for disassembling the cake on the plate... but Auntie Mikki liked the fact that I tasted each bit. Whether that was as a counterfoil against Dad or she really meant it I know not.... but she was a qualified patissiere working for a London delicatessen.... so I've always thought the latter.....
The one I bought came from Sainsbury's, it was not nice, and I'd really been looking forward to it (I don't know why).
DeleteWe find all bought cakes way too sweet, same with biscuits.
ReplyDeleteI bought crumpets this morning. A much better choice.
DeleteWe only have cake with our afternoon tea if we have visitors. My waistline protests if I eat cake too often.
ReplyDeleteI only have cake if Lady M feels in a cake-making mood.
DeleteI always use my bone china crockery all the time. and never drink out of plastc or paper cups. I keep a bone china mug in my car so if I an't get at least a china mug I get my own out and fill it. I embarred my young granddaughter once in Macdonalds (I hate Macdonalds but took her once for a treat) when I tipped coffee whilst she had a burger. I'm never going to Macdonald again with Nannieshe told her Mum. Good, I don't think Ive' been again with their dry rolls and cardboard cups .
ReplyDeleteI have never eaten at McD's. I did once enter one but it was simply to time how long it took from order to delivery. We left the burgers uneaten.
DeleteShould have given them to a homeless person begging outside.
DeleteWe always have afternoon tea with proper cups and plates. Swedes could not do without their "fika" time, which must always includes a nice, sweet bite. I love to bake, so there is always fresh home-made cake in the house.
ReplyDeleteI love the tradition of afternoon tea - for us it is a chance to have a break from our individual pursuits and come together and chat for a while. We enjoy everything about it.
My wife is a Swede, but I'm afraid our cups and plates leave a lot to be desired, yet we have beautiful ones in a cupboard.
DeleteWe have afternoon coffee using our favourite mugs. Usually no nibbles, sweet or savoury. I would love to have a real English afternoon tea with dainty sandwiches and scones with clotted cream. Just once. And with someone who would likewise appreciate the ritual
ReplyDeleteYou're right, it is a ritual and one we should preserve.
DeleteWe have tea about 3 every afternoon using my Denby Wheatsheaf set. The tea I'm using at the moment is Derbyshire Oatcake tea.Sounds awful, looks like bits of wood in it, ha.But tastes delicious. Just made a plain cake with mixed spices in it for a bit of flavour( cos I ate all the sultanas). So will have some this afternoon. Love your china.Is it Shelley?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what it is, I'll have a look.... It says Rosslyn, not a name I know. I shall have to search online.
DeleteIf you are saving the good china for a special occasion, remember everyday on the green side of the sod is a special occasion.
ReplyDeleteDH and I have afternoon tea every day around 3. It's our daily ritual to stop whatever we're doing and relax for a few moments. I do use the good China cups. He uses a mug. But I love the China and tea sets and love using them. When my friend was alive, we always had a proper afternoon tea once a week. It's a lovely tradition.
ReplyDeleteOur Tea is taken around the same time. At this time of year with a buttered crumpet or a couple of shortbread biscuits.
DeleteTea from a teapot served in matching cups and saucers with a plate for cake is always great. You'll have to make a lemon drizzle cake. My British MIL always had tea in proper china every afternoon. It was always lovely.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's a great tradition, but with so many families who eat nothing but take-aways in front of the TV, I expect the whole idea would seem very alien.
DeleteI don't drink tea, so no afternoon ritual.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was clearing out my parent's house after my mother died, I found at least six complete sets of fine quality bone china - cups, saucers, plates, milk jug, sugar basin and a small basin which was used for the tea (leaf) strainer. Most of them I can't ever remember seeing her use, but each found a good home with her friends who had regularly enjoyed afternoon tea and cake with her.
Philistine that I am, I drink my coffee from a china mug, though my mother always insisted it should be pottery, not china.
Such Tea sets were passed through families, so one can soon have several sets; most of which probably go up into the loft. There's bound to be a revival soon.
DeleteThat give me a very good idea for a Christmas gift for my sis in law. Who drinks tea but never out of china. I must get her a cup and saucer , very pretty one. Just so she can try it out that way.
ReplyDeleteGo to any antique centre, you'll find lots of them. I have noticed that young people now mix their cups and saucers which is a nice idea. Variety is the spice......
DeleteI don't know anyone who actually sits down to a proper afternoon tea anymore, with most people these days snacking all day long and half the night, why would they bother? I like the idea, but without the fancy crockery. It needs to be handwashed and most people I know have dishwashers (not me). I used to have a fancy setting for eight with gold trim and pink and red roses, similar to the Royal Albert style. They all went to the opshop when I moved here since I had nowhere to put them.
ReplyDeleteI suspect that is a familiar story.
Delete