Steampunk Teas

I just discovered a new subculture called Steampunk. The best way to describe it is high tech meets late Victorian era. It has its' roots in the works of Jules Verne and Mark Twain (Wikipedia also credits Mary Shelley as well) and also in the more modern works of China Mieville. For those of you who still don't get it, think that Sixties TV show and later movie The Wild, Wild West. People involved in Steampunk dress as "modern Victorians" - women are allowed to wear pants under their crinolines while men carry their cell phones in tooled leather cases or in fobs. With this comes the passion for Victorian high teas, those grand affairs that involve delicate foreign teas and delicate sandwiches and cakes. You may not want to embrace the whole steampunk culture but you many want to indulge in an afternoon high tea.

What goes into a good high tea? First of all good china. It's nice to serve it in fine teacups with good linen underneath. If you're having qualms about this then settle for a pretty cotton tablecloth with matching napkins. Don't use plastic utensils. Always have delicate teaspoons and sugar tongs, along with servers neatly lined up. As far as teas themselves, a good Earl Grey or oolong is about the best bet. Irish breakfast tea is too strong and will overpower the taste of your sandwiches and cakes. Most teas are usually served with lemon but you can have a small pitcher of milk or cream for those who like a creamy rea. Sugar is requisite, preferably the cubed kind. If you can't get them then white or the more natural brown is fine.

An impressive tea depends on its' food. Fresh baked scones are always good. They can be served with butter (never ever serve margarine at a tea!!!!)jam or clotted cream. Another must is some type of sandwich. Egg salad or watercress with butter is the preferred filling however you can add deviled chicken or ham ot spice it up. After sandwiches comes fruit and either sliced cake, petite fours. cookies and bonbons. Tarts are also popular and you can easily make and bake nice lemon or nut ones. As for cookies, simple butter ones are the best and make a lovely accompaniment to the teas.

You may not want to embrace the full aspect of Steampunk culture but at least experience the romance of their Victorian inspired teas. It will bring you back to a more elegant era where food was regarding as something more. It was regarded as art.

Elegant Egg Salad Sandwiches

6 hard boiled eggs
1/2 cup mayonnaise
Bread cut into triangles with crusts removed


Shell eggs. Mince white and yolks , adding mayonnaise until a paste forms. Spread on triangle and cover with another triangle. Serves eight. Serve on pretty china dish.