Anyone for a cuppa tea?

May 19, 2013 News

By Leon Suseran
Apart from water, tea is quite a popular beverage sought after by many. However, due to the influx of a wide array of other beverages over time and soaring temperatures across many parts of the world, the popularity that tea once enjoyed over the centuries has declined somewhat. Tea is becoming out- run by sodas, energy drinks,

A young lady prepares to serve tea.

even alcohol.
Tea became so popular many years ago that a gathering evolved out of the love for tea. Tea parties were very popular and were attended by many in various countries in the world. Drinking tea was a fashionable event as well.
Tea was enjoyed at various times of the day, especially in England; enjoyed with other eatables, such as pastries and biscuits. The actual taking of tea in the afternoon developed into a new social event sometime in the late 1830’s and early 1840’s.
It should be noted, too, that tea cups did not always have handles. Chinese tea bowls influenced the first European teacups. At first, the English made cups without handles in the traditional Chinese style.
Not until the mid 1750’s was a handle added to prevent the ladies from burning their fingers.
But the actual history of tea parties go way back as a simple lonesome activity enjoyed a British Duchess. Tea as a social event was introduced in England by Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, in the year 1840. Anticipating dinner after 8 PM each day, the Duchess asked that a tray of tea, bread and butter, and cake be brought to her room during the late afternoon. As this became a habit, she began inviting friends to join her.
Today’s tea patty, however is a very brief social event, consisting of just an hour or two, sitting with families and friends, enjoying a cup of tea and plenty conversation.
The Roman Catholic Church of the Ascension in New Amsterdam recently held its fourth Grand Tea Party, Community Gathering and Cake Sale at the St.Therese Pastoral Hall in New Amsterdam. Not even the damp, rainy weather could have prevented the event from going on.
For the second year round, the event had to be hosted in an indoor setting due to the inclement weather, but many parishioners and members of the community still turned up and enjoyed a relaxing afternoon amongst family and friends.
Monsignor Terrence Montrose was present as well. Tea was served from 15:00 hrs as the young people took charge, dressed in their tea party wear, serving tea and other goodies on their platters. Since it was a cold afternoon, many opted for a hot cup of tea, while others still enjoyed a glass of iced- tea.

Attendees participating in the annual tea party recently.

The tables were nicely arranged as well and neatly laid- out with china wear, etc. And while persons sipped their tea, chatted with friends and shared good memories, the community gathering aspect got underway through the rich cultural presentation put on by the youth of the parish, the St. Maria Goretti Youth, under the guidance and training of Sr. Sharon Harris.
Numerous songs, poems, dances, skits etc were successfully performed by the young people.
The cake sale aspect of the event saw the selling of numerous kinds of pastries and cakes, including pine- tarts, cheese rolls, peanut biscuits, and other items such as roti and curry, cassava pone, black and white pudding, metai and iced cakes.
Whether it is evident or not, tea, though it has seemingly become sort of the unpopular choice of beverage these days, still has that pizazz to bring people together, under one roof.

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