High Tea for Mothers' Day
The brethren of our Enoggera Ward prepared a "High Tea" for one and all. It was beautifully presented and enjoyed by men, women, and children. Everything that was served had been baked, assembled or in some way made by the men of the ward.
Bro. Black explained the origin of the term "High Tea." I found it interesting and quite the opposite from what my stock of Regency romances would have led me to have believed.
This definition is culled from the internet:
Most Americans have a set idea of what English tea time means: formal dresses, delicate finger foods, and hot tea all served on the best china. In reality, there are two types of tea time in England:
High tea, on the other hand, is a full meal served with tea, including meat, bread, side dishes and dessert.
The custom of high tea originated in working class homes, where it was the main meal of the day. Amusingly, Americans tend to say "high tea" when they are really referring to afternoon tea.
And from another source:
High Tea is often a misnomer. Most people refer to afternoon tea as high tea because they think it sounds regal and lofty, when in all actuality, high tea, or “meat tea” is dinner. High tea, in Britain, at any rate, tends to be on the heavier side . . .
Afternoon tea (because it was usually taken in the late afternoon) is also called “low tea” because it was usually taken in a sitting room or withdrawing room where low tables (like a coffee table) were placed near sofas or chairs generally in a large withdrawing room.
Based on these definitions, we were probably served a "Low Tea" but it high fun -- with wonderful treats and goodly conversation. Below are a few pictures of the food and families.
There was one (actually several) uninvited guests - the Brush Turkeys. The yellow bands around their necks are extra large just now because it is courting season. They are considered a nuisance, but the children loved to chase them and I loved to photograph them.
Bro. Black explained the origin of the term "High Tea." I found it interesting and quite the opposite from what my stock of Regency romances would have led me to have believed.
This definition is culled from the internet:
Most Americans have a set idea of what English tea time means: formal dresses, delicate finger foods, and hot tea all served on the best china. In reality, there are two types of tea time in England:
- Low tea or afternoon tea
- High tea or "meat tea"
High tea, on the other hand, is a full meal served with tea, including meat, bread, side dishes and dessert.
The custom of high tea originated in working class homes, where it was the main meal of the day. Amusingly, Americans tend to say "high tea" when they are really referring to afternoon tea.
And from another source:
High Tea is often a misnomer. Most people refer to afternoon tea as high tea because they think it sounds regal and lofty, when in all actuality, high tea, or “meat tea” is dinner. High tea, in Britain, at any rate, tends to be on the heavier side . . .
Afternoon tea (because it was usually taken in the late afternoon) is also called “low tea” because it was usually taken in a sitting room or withdrawing room where low tables (like a coffee table) were placed near sofas or chairs generally in a large withdrawing room.
Based on these definitions, we were probably served a "Low Tea" but it high fun -- with wonderful treats and goodly conversation. Below are a few pictures of the food and families.
There was one (actually several) uninvited guests - the Brush Turkeys. The yellow bands around their necks are extra large just now because it is courting season. They are considered a nuisance, but the children loved to chase them and I loved to photograph them.
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