High Tea Hiatus

It was an overcast Sunday afternoon. Joe and I spent the majority of it inside this tea house in west Denver. The insides of this historic brick building resonated with a family warmth. Including, of course, many amiable edibles.  

We sipped, poured, and sipped some more while listening to the din of hot kettles boiling over an old stove, the pitter patter of shuffling feet in the kitchen, and wafting chit chat from adjacent tables. We came to experience a proper "high tea," something the British are very familiar with. From what little reading I did on the subject, high tea takes place in the early evening and consists of tea and a light meal (such as meat sandwiches, shepherd's pie, fish and chips, and sweet breads to finish).  For those in the upper class, this is a light meal before a second supper later in the evening, where as for those less fortunate, it was the only evening meal eaten after returning from work.  This was a time to sit at a proper table, hence the name high tea versus afternoon tea, which is served on lower coffee tables or the like.

Our tea was make from hand-packed tea bags. I tried sage leaves, while Joe had a rare Japanese green tea variety. This Nanna sure knows her teas! With a hot pot of water on the table for refills, we happily took our time grazing on the fine assortment of all things British! You know, crustless sandwiches, scones served with a side of fresh whipped cream and jam, other sweets and fresh fruits.

We finished every last bite... except for one measly little sandwich wedge.  Go on, giggle all you like. All of that fancy eating and pinky finger raising gets tiring (not)!  This was such a special treat, I find it hard to believe that some do this daily. Why don't Americans make time to relax? No siestas, no tea time, no 2-hr lunch breaks. Perhaps we, as individuals, must try harder to channel a bit of down time into our own daily routine. Maybe it starts with something like taking a few seconds to turn away from the computer, or the mess on the floor, or the clock on the wall, and simply enjoying the warm, delicate fragrances of a cup of tea. With a lift of your pinky finger, perhaps!