Tea Party Tuesday ~ Champagne Sorbet with Anna Duchess of Bedford

Happy Tea Party and Tea Time Tuesday!

This past week and weekend was so wonderful for me..my mom came for a visit and it was absolutely wonderful. My mom has taught me much of what I know and love about antiques and entertaining. We both love anything vintage and the art of taking tea. This weekend she shared some wonderful memories and we made some new ones! I LOVE YOU MOM!

As I said last week, I began a journey to educate myself regarding the art and history of tea as well as tea etiquette. My travels into into tea history this week took me back to the Victorian era where I was introduced to a lovely lady by the name of Anna Duchess of Bedford.

It is no surprise that we quickly became friends!

I sat down for tea with the Duchess and this is what she taught me...

Afternoon tea was "created" by Anna Duchess of Bedford (1783-1857), one of Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting. During this time, the noble classes ate large breakfasts, small lunches and late suppers. Every afternoon, Anna experienced what she referred to as a "sinking feeling," so she requested that her servants bring her tea and petite-sized cakes to her boudoir.

Adopting the European tea service format, she invited friends to join her for an additional afternoon meal at four o'clock in her rooms at Belvoir Castle. The menu centered around small cakes, bread and butter sandwiches, assorted sweets, and, of course, tea. This summer practice proved so popular, the Duchess continued it when she returned to London, sending cards to her friends asking them to join her for "tea and a 'walking the fields'." (London at that time still contained large open meadows within the city.) The practice of inviting friends to come for tea in the afternoon was quickly picked up by other social hostesses.

A common pattern of service soon merged. The first pot of tea was made in the kitchen and carried to the lady of the house who waited with her invited guests, surrounded by fine porcelain from China. The first pot was warmed by the hostess from a second pot (usually silver) that was kept heated over a small flame. Food and tea was then passed among the guests, the main purpose of the visiting being conversation.

The "high" in high tea does not imply that fancy, upper class, or expensive foods are served (or that high tea is enjoyed only by the well-to-do). It actually refers to afternoon tea served on a dining room table (a high table) as opposed to afternoon tea served on a "tea table" (a low table).

High tea is a fairly substantial meal - equivalent to supper - served in working class homes. It is generally served at 5:00 or 6:00 p.m., and features a hot dish, hefty sandwiches, scones, heavy cakes, biscuits - and, of course, plenty of tea.

Did you know:

Anna was a lifelong friend of Queen Victoria and served for a number of years as Lady of the Bedchamber.
Anna's brother, Viscount Petersham, was a great connoisseur of tea. His sitting room contained "canisters of tea in great variety." It was said to look like a tea shop.

*Some information obtained from Uniquely Tea Blog (which no longer publishes posts, sadly), Eras of Elegance and Victorian Revival by Cameron Freeman.

When having tea with a Duchess, I wanted to serve something fancy and unique. It was very hot where I live this week so I was inspired to make a lovely Champagne Sorbet.

For added fancy flair, you may opt to serve your sorbet in a frozen edible flower bowl.

Either is just delightful!! The teacup was purchased this week while shopping with my mother. I have been dreaming on purchasing an aqua teacup recently and so I made my dream a reality and for TEN DOLLARS, I think it was a STEAL!

The sorbet was absolutely heavenly!! To be honest I have had my electric ice cream maker for over a year and had been a bit intimidated to use it for fear of failure. The Duchess gave me the courage to take it out and make something memorable and wonderful!

My mom and I enjoyed quite a bit of the sorbet!! OooooLaLa!!
Anything with Champagne is wonderful!

For a printable recipe for Champagne Sorbet click HERE!
For instructions on how to make your own frozen flower bowl click HERE. A link can also be found on my recipes page!

I am excited to see what YOU made this week for tea with Anna Duchess of Bedford! Please include a link back here in your post and if possible visit some of the other blogs that have linked up to the party!

This week I will be linking to these fabulous parties:

Home Sweet Home Friday's at The Charm of Home
Tidy Mom ~ I'm Lovin It!
Topsy Turvy Tuesdays!

The Rose Chintz Cottage

Martha's Favorites

Teacup Thursday ~ Miss Spenser's Blog

Table Top Tuesday

Artful Affirmations

Lady Katherine Tea Parlor

The Silken Purse

Blissful Rhythm Blog

Tuesday Tea at Comin' Home

Lark's Country Heart ~ Made by you Monday!

Tasty Tuesday ~ Beauty and Bedlam

Ladybug Blessings