An English Country Tea Party

It may be just a coincidence that in the decades since Old Country Roses introduced, tea is one of the old-fashioned customs that has been making a comeback.

Whatever the reason, tearooms have been springing up in small towns and big cities, and women's book clubs once again meet at teatime, as they did a century and more ago. Bridal and baby showers, reunions, picnics, holiday entertaining and wedding receptions feature an "Afternoon Tea" theme; women and girls of all ages choose tea parties as a delightful way to celebrate their birthdays.

If you, too, are ready to rediscover the romance of afternoon tea, the following information and suggestions are adapted from "Tea Party Celebration" written for Royal Albert by Elizabeth Knight, author of "Tea and Friends" (StoreyBooks)

Planning Your Party 1-Anytime is teatime, but a weekend afternoon tea is ideal because it allows ample time for preparations in advance, and allows you to bea guest at your own party. Everyone goes home early so dinner and evening plans are not affected.

2-If it's your first tea party, limit your guests to four. More experienced hostesses can usually manage up to 10 people without help if the food is served buffet style.

3-Invitations should be given two weeks in advance. You may telephone,but written invitations are more in keeping with the old-fashioned mood.

4-Tea is an intimate experience. Furniture should be arranged in comfortable conversational groupings. Tea may be enjoyed in living room, den,library or porch, and served from a coffee table, sideboard, tray or cart.

5-No matter where it's served, a tea tray, made of metal or wood, holds the essentials. Cover the tray with a tray cloth, placemat, or cloth napkin. Place the teapot at the center back and arrange the sugar bowl, creamer and plate of lemon slices around it. Place the tray along with other china and utensils on a cloth-covered serving table. A variety of serving pieces in different shapes, heights and materials will add visual interest. Feel free to mix patterns with coordinating or complementary colors to create a personal and stylish setting. Arrange the cups on saucers with the handles facing left and spoons on the side of the saucer closest to the hostess or pourer.

About Tea GREEN TEA Freshly plucked green leaves are quickly steamed or heated, then dried to produce a delicate unfermented drink. Gunpowder and Jasmineare green teas.

BLACK TEA Leathery green leaves are dried, twisted and oxidized. Fully fermented dried leaves produce full-bodied brews like Keemum and Darjeeling.

OOLONG TEA Oolong Tea is partly fermented, so its flavor is stronger than green teas but less hearty than black. Peach, peppery Formosa Oolong is a good example.

BLENDED TEAS These are combinations of different dry tea leaves, which may be mixed spices, fruit, flowers, or fragrant oils. English Breakfast combines full bodied black teas from India and Ceylon. Earl Grey tea is scented with oil of bergamot, a citrus fruit.

HERBAL TEA A beverage made of fruit, flowers, roots, berries, herbs or the leaves of any plant other than Camellia sinensis isn't really tea and is more properly called infusion or tisane.

This Article Originally appeared in ROMANTIC COUNTRY MAGAZINE presented by Country Decorating Ideas Issue #37