Book Lovers Study Club explores tea’s role in history

Our Book Lovers Study Club’s January meeting highlighted both the Boston Tea Party boycott of English tea and the traditions of afternoon tea.

One of our members, Gayle McAlister, shared memories of her late aunt, Dot Murphy, a home economics teacher who taught etiquette, polite conversation, meal preparation and tea service. Her programs included lessons on proper table settings, cup handling, formal dining and social customs.

Gayle’s presentation was both informative and entertaining, and at moments it felt as though we were preparing tea at Downton Abbey.

Afternoon tea traditions are often traced to Anne, Duchess of Bedford, who requested light food in the late afternoon to ease the long gap between meals. She began inviting others to join her, establishing a social tradition that spread through British society.

One common misconception Gayle explained is the confusion between low tea and high tea.

Low tea, or afternoon tea, is held from 3 to 5 p.m. It is associated with the upper class as a social ritual, bridging lunch and late dinner with delicate finger foods such as sandwiches, scones and cakes. It is traditionally served in parlors using fine china on low tables.

High tea, held from 5 to 7 p.m., features heartier foods such as meats, pies and vegetables. It originated as a working-class meal served at a dining table after a full day’s work.

Gayle also shared etiquette traditions associated with formal tea service.

Guests place their napkins on their laps, not tucked into collars. The hostess pours the tea, and guests add milk and sugar to taste.

Sugar is placed in the cup first, followed by thinly sliced lemon. Milk is added after the tea is poured. Guests hold the teacup handle with the thumb and first one or two fingers, without extending the pinky.

The spoon should be moved gently back and forth while stirring, not in circles, and it should not clink against the cup. After stirring, it’s placed on the saucer behind the cup, to the right of the handle.

Guests take small, quiet sips and do not blow on hot tea. Small bites of food are encouraged so conversation can continue comfortably.

Tea sets and accessories historically symbolized refinement and sophistication. Teacups and saucers were expected to match and be immaculately clean.

Our president, Cheri McCain, displayed her mother’s tea set for the meeting. Teacups and vases of flowers served as table decorations, and members sampled an assortment of tea flavors. Barbara Sage and Debbie Beason served as hostesses for the meeting.

The meeting also connected tea traditions to American history.

As part of the 250th commemoration of the United States’ birthday, the Cultura Garden Club, Deep South Garden Clubs Inc. and National Garden Clubs Inc. programs focus on national historic tributes, including tea’s role in shaping America.

Tea was introduced to England from China in the 17th century and was initially a luxury reserved for the upper classes. By the 18th century, demand grew rapidly, making tea an integral part of daily life in Britain.

England relied on China for tea and other goods such as silk and porcelain. China’s monopoly on these imports created financial strain for Britain. In 1773, Parliament passed the Tea Act, allowing the East India Company to sell tea to the colonies at reduced cost, though taxes remained. Colonists rejected the policy and continued smuggling tea rather than purchasing taxed British imports.

The conflict escalated with the passage of the Coercive Acts, also known as the Intolerable Acts, which closed Boston Harbor and imposed stricter control over the colonies.

The Boston Tea Party on Dec. 16, 1773, helped ignite broader resistance. In 1774, the First Continental Congress formed, and in 1775 the Revolutionary War began.

After eight years of conflict, the colonies secured independence from British rule.