High tea etiquette – 5 Tips for Enjoying Teatime Like a Royal

We might be one of the world’s biggest consumers of tea (outranking even China, where the beverage originated) but for most Aussies, making a hot cuppa is more of a reflex than a ritual.

The formal high tea (or more correctly, ‘afternoon tea’) is a tradition that began among British nobility that’s enjoyed a resurgence in recent times.

For Australians, a proper afternoon tea is something of a novelty, often reserved for special occasions. So, when we do get the opportunity to indulge, attempting to follow proper English etiquette can make the experience feel extra authentic, fun and fanciful.

So, the next time you sit down to an elegant high tea, brush up beforehand on these essential dos and don’ts.

1. Dress for the occasion

   Back in the day, ladies of society would don their finest hats and dresses for an afternoon outing to a favourite tea house. While today’s high tea events aren’t generally strict on specific dress code, they’re still the perfect excuse to pull out the pretty frocks and dapper suits.

2. Mind your manners

   In the 19th century, aristocratic young women studied books on etiquette and took lessons on polite behaviour, and this was expected to be on show during afternoon tea.
   Today, most of us would find following every teatime rule ridiculously impossible. Just stick to basic table manners, and remember, the Duchess of Bedford didn’t leave her phone on the table, and neither should you!

   Edible accompaniments are made for nibbling, not shovelling. Finger sandwiches should be eaten with hands, but delicate sweet morsels require a fork or dessert spoon.

3. Treat tea with respect

   For true tea connoisseurs, the enjoyment of fine quality tea is an artform, and serious business!

   The correct way to stir tea is by placing the spoon at the 6 o’clock position and gently swirling clockwise, without touching the sides. Don’t fold the tea back and forth or side to side. After stirring, place the spoon on the saucer next to the cup. And be sure to savour the subtle, complex flavours of the tea by taking slow, measured sips.

4. Put that pinkie away!

   If you’ve seen how the tea-loving royals are portrayed in movies, you might think that holding the cup with your pinkie in the air is the way it should be done. This is a misconception! Once teacups with handles became commonplace in the 19th century, the correct cup-holding technique became pinching the index finger and thumb between the loop of the handle. Place your middle finger on the base of the handle or cup for stability, and keep that little finger tucked away.

5. The great scone debate

   No proper afternoon tea is complete without scones. Scones should be broken apart with fingers, not cut with a knife and fork. To this day, debate rages over whether the Cornish tradition (spreading on the jam before the cream) or the Devon (cream before jam) is the superior option – so we’ll leave that one to your personal preference!

Ready to show off your Downton Abbey worthy knowledge of teatime etiquette to your friends and family? Our high tea menus can be tailored to taste and served in style at all our venues – perfect for your next birthday party, bridal or baby shower.