Personally, there are few things in life that give me more pleasure on a balmy summer afternoon than sitting with my girlfriends, and indulging in gourmet Rose tea – brewed and presented to perfection – Ahh such bliss!
The elegant art of High Tea is one of life’s simple, yet most exquisite delights. It’s an opportuni-tea to celebrate, to share food and to unite with friends whose day to day lives may have unwittingly become disentangled from ours.
The ritual and ceremony of High Tea was created in Britain in the early 1840s. It evolved from the art of drinking tea in the 1650s -a time when tea leaves were rare and thus consumed exclusively by the Royal Family and Aristocracy. Whilst high society men engaged in tea drinking in outdoor locales {coffee houses}, women consumed tea in the comfort of their homes alongside close friends and family. Interestingly, it was the Duchess of Bedford who first invented the afternoon tea ritual when she asked her maid to bring her a cup of tea and a slice of bread to rejuvenate her before supper. She relished this practice and began to invite her girlfriends to join her. This charming practice has certainly stood the test of time –and how!
Today, I believe there truly is no greater time to take part in High Tea festivities than Christmas. It’s a special time of year when a delightful fusion of friends, family and food help transform every ordinary moment into an extraordinary one. The celebration of the year almost-passed, and the anticipation of a new chapter also make for a wonderful time to engage in conversation. Whether light-hearted pleasantries or profound reflections, a cup of tea is always an excuse to share great thoughts with great minds.
Yet what is perhaps most extraordinary about the High Tea celebration is that it allows us to step off the perpetual treadmills of our lives…and it invites time to stand still. If only for a fleeting moment.
When was the last time you allowed yourself to sit and breathe in the aroma of your Chai and the beauty of the moment?
When did you last catch yourself being so effortlessly mindful of everything around you?
When did you last celebrate and savour the taste and sensation of every bite…
of every trivial comment…
of every thought-provoking insight…
and of the gracious presence of the people who bring beauty into your life?
Let’s remember that being truly in the moment is not an indulgence, but a necessity in life, especially for us women!
Our sensational array of activities may leave little time for pleasure and uninterrupted bonding, which makes these moments even more special.
These exceptional moments are, for me, certainly magnified by the intimate feel of the High Tea setting – the magnificently adorned Christmas table, the timeless porcelain 24ct gold-rimmed tea cups, the petite yet decadent cakes which leave just enough room for the Christmas feast…Oh so lovely!
High Tea, when prepared, presented and enjoyed with elegance and grace, is a perfect excuse to celebrate at Christmas.