Hot Tea Trends: 5 Afternoon Tea Sandwich Fillings to Try This Weekend

The United Kingdom has long been famous for its tea traditions and afternoon tea or “5 o’clock tea”. Thanks to the British, tea drinking has become a ritual that with rules and etiquette. As traditional as the ritual is, here are some hot tea trends that you can try this weekend!

As you know, afternoon tea is served with traditional treats, arranged on a special tray. On the first level are the legendary sandwiches. There can have different shapes and what is a noticeable trend is the return of traditional afternoon tea sandwich fillings. We shall give you the most popular recipes that you can try this weekend!

Hot Tea Trends for This Weekend – Have Your Own “5 O’clock”!

What could be better that spending time with friends and family over a cup of tea? For the last decade tea parties became hugely popular for birthday parties, baby showers or bridal showers. Such events are very festive and require careful planning and organization. However, there is no need to wait for some special occasion to have your afternoon tea. What are the hot tea trends that you can try this weekend?

Serve Tea in Unique Tea Cups

Despite the fact that afternoon tea is quite traditional, there are still some hot tea trends that you can try this weekend. At informal home events assorted cups and saucers are used instead of sets. If you have unique tea cups, do not hesitate to use them, even if they are mismatched! Maybe each one of your vintage cups and saucers have a history – are they inherited or purchased in memorable places? Such stories are a great topic for small talk.

Tea Party Aesthetic

If you are planning a more formal event, then you need to know what the tea party aesthetic is. Besides the unique tea cups, you need to have a three-tiered tray to serve the traditional finger sandwiches, scones and sweet treats. Coordinate the colors of table cloth, napkins and tableware and add fresh flowers. Remember, it doesn’t have to be expensive, but beautiful!

Traditional Afternoon Tea Sandwich Fillings

Traditional afternoon tea sandwiches, known as finger sandwiches for their shape, are a must. Of course, scones and a selection of sweet pastries and cakes should be also served. It will be extra luxurious if you serve champagne. How to prepare the traditional afternoon tea sandwich fillings? Find out our recipes below!

Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Tea Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf white bread
• ½ cup cream cheese, softened
• ½ pound smoked salmon, thinly sliced
• Lemon juice, to taste
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1tspfinely chopped fresh dill, optional

Directions:

Combine cream cheese, lemon juice and dill in a bowl. Mix with large spoon until well combined. Taste; adjust to your taste if desired.

Lightly spread 1 side of bread slices with cream cheese mixture. Lay salmon and place another slice of bread, cream cheese side in, on top of each sandwich.

Using large, serrated knife, remove crusts and cut each sandwich into 2 or 3 fingers depending on size of bread, wiping blade on damp kitchen towel between slices.

Cucumber Sandwich

Ingredients:

• 4 slices thin-sliced, white bread (or any other choice)
• 2 ounces, room temperature cream cheese
• ½ small cucumber, thinly sliced

Directions:

Peel the cucumber, and slice it thinly.

Spread soft/room temperature cream cheese on two slices of bread.

Arrange the cucumber slices, overlapping slightly, on one slice of bread and top with the other.

Remove crusts with a sharp serrated knife, wiping with a damp paper towel after each cut. Next, cut into fingers (or triangles).

Egg Salad Tea Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• 12 slices bread
• 8 eggs, hard-boiled
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

Chop the eggs and mix with mayonnaise and seasonings.

Spread evenly onto 6 slices of bread, top with remaining bread, trim crusts and cut into fingers or triangles.

Watercress Tea Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• 8 hard boiled eggs, peeled
• ⅓ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh chives
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• ¼ tsp each salt and pepper
• 12 slices white sandwich bread
• 3 tbsp butter, softened
• 1 cup packed watercress

Directions:

Mash together eggs, mayonnaise, chives, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper.

Lightly spread slices of bread with butter; spread egg mixture evenly over half of the slices of bread. Top with watercress; cap with remaining bread slices.

Cut crusts from sandwiches.

Cut sandwiches into quarters (triangles).

Coronation Chicken Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• 2 slices bread
• 1 tbsp mayonaise
• 1 tbsp plain yoghurt
• 1 tsp mango chutney
• ¼ tsp curry powder
• 50 g/2 oz cooked chicken
• cress or watercress

Directions:

Cut or shred the chicken into small pieces. Place the chicken in a bowl and add the mayonnaise, yoghurt, chutney and curry powder to the bowl and mix until well combined.

Spread the chicken mixture on one slice of bread, making sure it is spread evenly. Top with cress and then the second slice of bread.

Carefully remove the crusts and slice into three equal finger sandwiches.