What to serve at your ‘Indian’ high tea party?

Tea is ubiquitous in India. It is the perfect drink for India’s hot weather because the hot tea triggers the body’s natural cooling reflexes and actually helps bring your body temperature down. Most Indians drink tea at least twice a day, once with breakfast and again for an afternoon tea, just like the British.

High tea has a different meaning to afternoon tea and despite its lofty name, high tea was usually served to the working class. Now a days, throwing a high tea party for a baby shower, store launch or even a birthday is quite common.

In today’s feature on The Soirée Book, we will discuss the do’s and dont’s of throwing a high tea party and also look at the options for a sample veg and non-veg menu.

To begin with, the correct timings for a high tea is between 5 pm to 7 pm, anytime before or after that is considered a low tea.

You don’t need 20 items with contrasting flavours on the menu. Instead, keep the menu simple with half the items that compliment each other.

While there is no rule that filling items like ‘Pav Bhaji’ and ‘Choley Bhaturey’ can’t fit in the menu, but it would make sense to keep the portions bite-sized so that your guests can circulate easily.

The best platter of refreshments would be two or three varieties of finger foods , two varieties of light but filling savoury snacks and a sweet. Here are a few options to give you an idea –

Sample Menu I ( Veg)
– Cheese Balls
– Mushroom Quiché
– Nachos
– Cucumber Mayo Sandwiches
– Pasta Arabiatta
– Red Velvet pastries
– And of course different varities of Tea!!

Sample Menu II (Veg)
– Sev Puri
– Spring rolls
– Cocktail Samosas
– Veg Hakka Noodles
– Mini Pizza
– Nutella Cupcakes
– Masala chai et al

Sample Menu III (Non Veg)
– Fish Fingers
– Meat balls
– Chicken Nuggets
– Chicken mini Burgers
– Mutton Kathi roll
– Donuts
– And tea!

What is stopping you? Pick up the phone and invite your friends over for your high tea soirée!!

Up next on the blog – couple of real birthday parties.. each unique in its own right.. stay tuned!

Disclaimer: TSB does not own any of the above images.