High tea

We are partial to tea in our household. We mostly prefer black English Breakfast style teas. One or two select flavored black teas.
When we have the time we do high tea.

First select a tea pot and a cup and saucer.


Assemble the teapot, tea choice, infuser and tea cozy.


This is one of the only flavored teas I enjoy. A ginger peach black tea by The Tao of Tea.
This is a House Again brand infuser. The best I have ever used with a super fine mesh that prevents stray leaves from winding up in your cup of tea. I have used many infusers in my tea sipping lifetime and this has been the best.


While not shown you need to "Hot the Pot" which is simply pre-heating it with hot water that is then poured off. Fresh hot water is poured over the infuser into the pot.


The infuser includes a lid which is added. Then a tea cozy is placed over the pot to insulate it. This cozy was made by my great aunt in England about 20 years ago. A family treasure.


While the tea is steeping I pull cranberry apple scones from the oven.


After steeping for 5 minutes (I like strong brisk tea). The tea is poured and enjoyed. I like these tea cups and "saucers". The saucer has a thumb grip and is enlarged to hold a treat. There is also a raise circle to hold the tea cup in place.


My father courted my mom in England. Tea was served in the parlor. Not at the table. He talked about trying to balance a small plate of biscuits in one hand and the tea cup saucer  in the other. That of course left NO hands to to enjoy either the tea or the treat. As a Yank he lacked the British skill of balancing the cup/saucer and/or treat plate on a knee. This left a free hand. But he was afraid to try less something slipped. Though he did eventually learn.

Phil

Nice, Phil.  Your poor dad.  At least he won the fair lady's hand in the end.

Very interesting saucer.

Ahh, the things I miss since cutting the caffeine habit, and that includes tea. But I shoot much better w/o caffeine. Caffeine gives me the shakes; not good for competition.

Nice, Phil.  Your poor dad.  At least he won the fair lady's hand in the end.

Lovely sentiments. I, for one, am glad it turned out that way.

Very interesting saucer.

Ahh, the things I miss since cutting the caffeine habit, and that includes tea. But I shoot much better w/o caffeine. Caffeine gives me the shakes; not good for competition.

We have 2 china hutches filled with tea cup sets and pots. I do like these food capable saucers the best.

I'd be hard pressed to give up tea. The whole ritual is just a part of our lives. Very relaxing.

I'm picturing you as Don Knotts in The Shakiest Gun in the West

The lovely Mrs PhilNH5, Mary Lou, wanted me to post a pic to let you know the infuser can be used in a mug as well.

:-) I thought Don was incredibly funny. No not that shaky, just enough to drop 30 or so points out of 300, decades ago in Bullseye competition. That's a lot of points in Bullseye.

Phil, that is a lovely collection of tea paraphernalia>