Tea Cuisine
Tea cuisine quickly expanded in range to
quickly include wafer thin crustless sandwiches, shrimp or fish
pates, toasted breads with jams, and regional British pastries
such as scones (Scottish) and crumpets (English).
At this time two distinct forms of tea
services evolved: "High" and "Low". "Low" Tea (served in the
low part of the afternoon) was served in aristocratic homes of
the wealthy and featured gourmet tidbits rather than solid
meals. The emphasis was on presentation and conversation.
"High" Tea or "Meat Tea" was the main or "High" meal of the
day. It was the major meal of the middle and lower classes and
consisted of mostly full dinner items such as roast beef,
mashed potatoes, peas, and of course, tea.
Coffee Houses
Tea was the major beverage served in the
coffee houses, but they were so named because coffee arrived in
England some years before tea. Exclusively for men, they were
called "Penny Universities" because for a penny any man could
obtain a pot of tea, a copy of the newspaper, and engage in
conversation with the sharpest wits of the day. The various
houses specialized in selected areas of interest, some serving
attorneys, some authors, others the military. They were the
forerunner of the English gentlemen's private club. One such
beverage house was owned by Edward Lloyd and was favored by
shipowners, merchants and marine insurers. That simple shop was
the origin of Lloyd's, the worldwide insurance firm. Attempts
to close the coffee houses were made throughout the eighteenth
century because of the free speech they encouraged, but such
measures proved so unpopular they were always quickly
revoked.
Tea Gardens
Experiencing the Dutch "tavern garden teas",
the English developed the idea of Tea Gardens. Here ladies and
gentlemen took their tea out of doors surrounded by
entertainment such as orchestras, hidden arbors, flowered
walks, bowling greens, concerts, gambling, or fireworks at
night. It was at just such a Tea Garden that Lord Nelson, who
defeated Napoleon by sea, met the great love of his life, Emma,
later Lady Hamilton. Women were permitted to enter a mixed,
public gathering for the first time without social criticism.
As the gardens were public, British society mixed here freely
for the first time, cutting across lines of class and
birth.
Tipping as a response to proper service
developed in the Tea Gardens of England. Small, locked wooden
boxes were placed on the tables throughout the Garden.
Inscribed on each were the letters "T.I.P.S." which stood for
the sentence "To Insure Prompt Service". If a guest wished the
waiter to hurry, he dropped a coin into the box on being seated
"to insure prompt service". Hence, the custom of tipping
servers was created.
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