Spilling the Tea on National Hot Tea Day

January 12^th has been deemed National Hot Tea Day, created in 2016 by The Tea Council of the USA to promote the consumption of tea for better health. It is important to note that there is no evidence to suggest that this is truly a “National” day, which literally requires an act of congress. But no one can deny the impact tea has made on our Western culture and history.

“The Afternoon Tea Club” is an enrichment program at Veritas Preparatory Academy that was recently featured in an article in the Arcadia News as one of the innovative clubs to help students thrive. National Hot Tea Day will be mentioned at their meeting this week, but Glenna Grimes, the club instructor, told us that for the most part, the students have learned that Afternoon Tea is more about enjoying one another’s company over common interests than concentrating on just the tea itself. “We do try different teas for the season, and this month’s theme being ‘travel,’ we will enjoy Darjeeling Tea,” said Grimes. “The sandwiches and petit fours also change with the theme so as to give the participants a chance to try new flavors or foods they have never tried before. [This week’s] travel theme will also feature the club members’ pictures from their trips they would like to share or a little research into planning a trip.”

Ms. Grimes also teaches 8^th grade Medieval History and 6th grade American History at Veritas Prep. She said their first Afternoon Tea meeting explored the history of Afternoon Tea and the Duchess of Bedford. This meeting also featured British literature that the students were familiar with but may not have been aware of their British origin. Classics like Winnie the Pooh, Paddington Bear, Peter Rabbit, Peter Pan, and Alice in Wonderland.

Grimes told us that a ritual like afternoon tea gives students the opportunity to see that formality does not mean rigid perfection. Although they are learning etiquette, the deeper lessons are the topics being presented or discussed while savoring a relaxing environment. “Sometimes we may hear someone say they had ‘high tea’ at such and such a place because it seems a little snooty, but the students learned that the term ‘high tea’ is what the servants had in the kitchen after serving the afternoon tea and before preparing dinner. It is called ‘high’ because of the stool and counter or table that is in the kitchen and denotes more of a meal with a big sandwich and a mug of tea. Afternoon tea, on the other hand, has three choices: ‘low tea’ is what it is called when the tea is served at a low table (such as a coffee table by some cozy chairs); ‘cream tea,’ when just tea and scones are served; or ‘Royal tea’ which has all three courses in the low tea but also includes a glass of champagne. We partake in the ‘low tea’ but have it at tables that double as desks during class time.”

“I feel privileged to be able to teach these young ladies and gentlemen about various things while enjoying afternoon tea,” added Grimes. “As it turns out, their insights about our book, for instance, help me to look at things in a different way, as well. And isn’t that what we seek to do at Great Hearts? We seek to continue to learn as we aim for the True, Good, and Beautiful. Fortunately, afternoon tea encompasses all three!”

Be sure to take some time today to celebrate National Hot Tea Day in your own way.  Drink some tea with a friend, try a flavor you’ve never had before (there are over 3,000 varieties), or buy a new teapot.

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