Peace Our History

Then:

Back in the day, across the pond, there were “high teas” and “low teas.” The high classes held low teas. Around 4 pm, they would roll out their crust less sandwiches, scones and biscuits and would take to their withdrawing rooms and snack from low tables (what we would call coffee tables). Traditionally, this preceded the Hyde Park promenade, a daily ritual for the classes who could afford to spend part of every day snacking and strolling.

On the other hand, the working classes would get home around 6 pm and would have a high tea – a much hardier version of the low tea because essentially it was dinner, and as such was served on a dinner table – thus the name high tea. Typical fare would include Shepard’s Pie, roast pork, salmon with salad, jellies, cheese and curds tarts, and pound cake.

Another interesting class demarcation was indicated by the amount of milk one poured with their tea. Because tea is a more precious commodity than milk – particular during the war when this import was rationed – the richer you were, the less you diluted your tea with milk.

Finally, who would’ve guessed the tradition of tipping actually began in the tea gardens of England? To Insure Prompt Service, patrons would drop a coin into metal boxes preset at the tables. How and why this practice switched to going down at the end of a service transaction has long-since infuriated American wait staff who inevitably get stiffed at some point or another
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Now:

These days, tea in America is enjoying such a funky renaissance that all rules are off. Teahouses – from Zen-like pillow-laden dens to kitschy not-a-matching-cup-or-saucer-in-sight spots – are springing up like wild flowers. The appeal of the tea experience has grown in culture and audience. Women fold – whether older ladies sitting down to gab or younger girls reclaiming crafts discarded by their mothers (like knitting – see the various “stitch & bitch” or “bitches with sticks” groups) are brewing up pots of tea right alongside these female-centric activities. The hipster’s insatiable appetite for anything retro (and often times, Anglo) similarly drives them to the traditions and old-fashioned trappings of teatime. What’s more, tea purveyors are leading the way in strengthening the model of Fair-Trade commerce and support of the organic farmer. Lazy Days Tea is proud to be a part of this movement

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