Spring Tidings
- Mel's Marvellous Cakes
- Jan 23
- 4 min read
What I love about the start of a new year is that everything starts to brighten up. We may not notice it straightaway but our bodies do. It's almost like coming out of hibernation. We begin to notice the bulbs emerging through the sodden leaves and the sprinklings of snow and we benefit from the extra minutes of light each day. By the time we get to the end of the month, we can congratulate ourselves on surviving another January and reward ourselves with a delicious treat for the celebrations which edge closer.
Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is often linked to the Roman pastoral festival of Lupercalia for health and fertility and although we don't sacrifice goats or dogs now, the idea of celebrating our health at the end of the dark months of winter seems like a good enough excuse for a tea party. Whether you are in a romantic relationship or in a group of loved ones, Valentine's Day is still yours to celebrate. It's time to shake off the restrictions of January and book yourself a tea party with candles, petit fours, and scones piled high with clotted cream and fruit compote. You can either order a tea box delivered to your desk at work, your cozy nest by the fire or your elegantly laid tea table, or you can hire us to serve you a scrumptious tea packed with delights in your very own home.
Table Settings
Traditionally tea lovers use reds and pinks for Valentine's afternoon tea tables but I want to suggest some pastel tones as a homage to spring. Think about the joys of cornflower blue, baby pink, lilac and primrose yellow. It makes Valentines more of a celebration of new beginnings than a commercial declaration, with copious hearts,
that you're in a relationship.
Ideas:
use some heart shaped tealights in jam jars tied with pretty ribbon. You could even decorate the jam jars by gluing a thin layer of floral napkin around the bottom half of the jar.
Make small bouquets of winter greens from your garden, tied with ribbon or string and display them in tiny glasses or tea cups. Glass reflects the candlelight and is beautiful on a tea table.
Layer your napkins in complementary colours as place settings underneath and beside your tea plates. Set a shiny small knife and fork for scones and cakes on the napkins.
Fold your chintzy napkins into bows and feed them through the handles of your teacups.
Place vases of flowers or large plants in the corners of the room near the table so that you have plenty of room on the table for the food.
Perfect Tea Pairings
Think about your afternoon tea as a three course meal. Remember, tea time is very filling so tea can be used as a digestif in between each course.
The Savoury Course
Sandwiches and savoury petit fours are perfect to start your meal. Many guests make the mistake of filling up on the sandwiches while they are hungry meaning that they have no space left for the scones and cakes. Be aware that you can return to the first course at any time as, traditionally, all the elements of afternoon tea are served at the same time. If, however, you find that you have filled up on sandwiches, either have a light herbal tea such as chamomile during this course or, if you are an English Breakfast traditionalist, have your tea without milk. You will find these choices much more refreshing and relaxing for your digestion.
The Scone Course
While your guests are eating the savoury first course, gently warm the scones in the
oven (definitely not the microwave!) and prepare a more floral tea to pair with the scones, clotted cream and jam. Darjeeling and Earl Grey go beautifully with scones because this course is not too sweet. Loose leaf teas are much more flavoursome
bringing out the flavour of the scones. You will not need more than a half teaspoon of tea leaves per person. If the tea is too strong, it will hide the floral flavours.
The Sweet Course
When I was about 6, I stayed with my grandad in Caistor. He asked me if I wanted a 'sweet', which I didn't. My mistake because what he meant was, would I like a dessert. I love dessert! The 'sweet' course is the one everyone is usually too full to eat. To avoid that happening, use your teas wisely. Even if everyone is wedded to English Breakfast, playing a tea-tasting game could widen the palate of your guests. Provide small tea cups and ask your guests to guess the flavour of each tea by tasting them between the courses. I would suggest a peppermint, Fennel or Nettle tea to end the meal and to accompany the sweet petit fours.
Until Next Time
It's too cold for the scone van to be out on the road so we are just concentrating on private bookings through February. We will be back at Ripley Farmer's Market in March just in time for Mother's Day. If you would like to preorder cakes, send me a message using the contact form on the website. Customer favourites like Battenburg, Lemon Drizzle and Floral Cupcakes are available to preorder. These are boxed and could be given as a present so do get in touch with as much time as possible if this interests you.
Until next time. Happy Valentine's all. Love is love however you show it.
x Mel
