The Art of English Tea Time: Traditions and Etiquette

• It’s customary for the host or hostess to pour the tea. The teapot also rests on the table with the spout facing the person who poured.
• Hold your teacup by the handle – and remember to keep your pinky down.
• Avoid slurping, blowing on hot tea, and loud chewing, which are considered impolite. Small sips and bites are encouraged during English tea time.
• Traditionally, guests start with savoury foods like sandwiches, eat scones second, and finish with sweets. 

British tea time etiquette isn’t quite as widely known in America as it is in, say, England or Scotland. To an American, tea time may call for swirling their teacup, blowing on hot tea, and dunking scones. And of course, we mustn’t forget about holding a pinky up! However, if you ever have the chance to enjoy traditional afternoon tea in Britain or even the States, you’ll find these ideas to be outdated and often improper. Ready to steep yourself in English tea time traditions and etiquette? Then put that pinky down and mind your manners with these rules!

The Perfect Afternoon Tea Menu

Hosting your own afternoon tea? Then you must create the perfect menu of teas and small bites! Traditional Scottish, Welsh, Irish, and English tea times typically involve a selection of lovely British tea and coffee, such as Earl Grey and Breakfast Tea. Exotic varieties like Assam and Darjeeling may also be offered. You’ll also need various finger sandwiches, scones, and cakes or pastries. You can buy British food online to get your favourites delivered!

Organizing Your Tiered Stand

Food offered at afternoon tea should be served on a tiered cake stand. The bottom tier is reserved for desserts, whilst the middle stand is for sandwiches, and the top tier is for scones. Traditionally, this was because the top tier was the only one that would fit a warming dome for scones. Placing scones at the top prevented rising heat from warming sandwiches and desserts! 

Dress for the Occasion

English tea time is an occasion, so dress for it! Smart casual will do, such as tailored trousers, blouses and collared shirts, and knee-length or midi dresses. No need to overthink it – you’re not having tea with royalty! Just be sure to avoid athleisure and anything overly casual.

Order Matters

Before you start to nosh, remember there’s an order to eat those tasty morsels at British tea time. Eat your sandwiches first, your scones second, and desserts last – it’s tradition!

Mind Your Napkin

Napkins belong in your lap, not tucked into your chest like a lobster bib. If you must leave the table, set your folded napkin to the left of your plate, not on your plate or chair. Place your napkin back on your lap when you return.

Pouring and Serving the Tea

During traditional English tea time, tea is traditionally served by the host. It’s considered a gesture of hospitality, ensuring guests can tailor their tea to their liking with milk and sugar. The English tea pot is then left on the table with the spout facing the person who poured the tea.

Holding Your Teacup

From Dunoon mugs to tiny teacups, you should hold your cup by its handle, and only the handle. Using a small teacup? Rather than slipping your fingers through the handle, place your index and middle fingers on one side of the handle and your thumb on the other. Your other two fingers can help support the teacup. Keep your pinky down, as it is improper British tea time etiquette.

Adding Milk to Your Tea

Tradition called for adding milk before tea. This was to prevent fussy teaware from cracking and shattering from the hot tea. Today’s teaware from a home goods shop is much less temperamental. You should now add milk after pouring your tea, and only to black tea. You’ll rarely (if ever) add milk to green, white, and herbal teas.

The Proper Way to Stir

Yes, there’s a proper way to stir your tea! There should be no contact with the teaspoon and teacup. Traditional English tea time etiquette suggests you move your teaspoon back and forth from the 12 o’clock to 6 o’clock position, rather than in a circular motion. Do not tap your spoon to get rid of any drips once you’re finished. Gently shake your teaspoon over your teacup once or twice and pop it back on your saucer.

Mind Your Manners

Whether it’s Scottish tea time or traditional English tea time, you must follow proper table manners. This means:

• It’s impolite to slurp, blow on your tea, and chew loudly. Let your tea cool and take small sips.
• Keep your phone off the table.
• No dunking! Dunking scones and biscuits in tea is considered poor etiquette. Unlike biscotti, which is meant to be dunked, delicate scones will leave crumbs at the bottom of your teacup.
• If you’re sitting and enjoying afternoon tea, your saucer belongs on the table. Pick up your teacup only and place it back down after each sip. 

Think Small

The tea and treats at British tea time are delicious, we know. But do your best to only take small sips and bites of your food. Tea time is a social occasion! Always having a full mouth means you can’t participate in the lively conversation.

Eat With Your Hands

It may seem sloppy or messy, but eating with your hands is perfectly polite during English tea time. Finger sandwiches and scones are meant to be eaten with your hands! Silverware is for jam, curds, and clotted cream. And your scones? Pull them apart with your hands, rather than cutting them with a knife.

English Tea Time Do’s and Don’ts 

Though these British tea time rules are formal, you needn’t worry about making a mistake. Many establishments and cafes serve a more casual experience, whilst at-home afternoon teas haven’t any rules at all. The only requirements for a proper tea time are great company, great tea, and delicious treats from a British food shop online!