Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-02
has HYGIENIC VALUE.
Tea Must Be Made Fresh Every Time
Used

Afternoon tea has a hygienic as well as a
social value that few American appreciate,
though some persons who like the beverage
take 1t, as cooks do while at work and often
without sitting down. Drinking it in this
way is no benefit, but rather harmful, for
tea thus drunk acts only as q stimulant and
nerve tonic and brings a reaction that Is
not desirable.
Tea as they serve 1t in England in the
afternoon is the proper way. and am not
speaking now of etiquette merely, but also
of hygiene. There small table is laid.
the tea is fresh thers are chairs enough
for each person to have one and every kind
Of work, no matter what, Is laid aside.
There is the secret of the benefit. 1t is not
the tea, but the rest. The getting away
teen, twenty or twenty-five minutes is the
main thing. Backs are rested by sitting,
and the brain by light and trivial CONVERSE
ton. The hot tea soothes and cheers the
stomach so that the physical condition be-
comes stronger and the nervous tension Of
the day is relaxed. If more work Is to be
done later a woman can do twice as much
and better quality for this rest.
So much for the hygienic side as have
worked it out
The pleasure is delightful. Members Of
the family who have been scattere through
the day meet, sit down comfortably and be-
gin to talk together either of what they
have been doing or of future plans. Friends
soon learn to come in from outside If they
know you are to be found at leisure at a
certain time. You get fresh thoughts, new
ideas and recreation and equally you are
resting and refreshing yourself physically.
The horrid little tea tables made for in
convenience that were introduced into par
lors 1 believe are greatly responsible for
the failure of afternoon tea in this country.
A fimsy table. with a cloth always on 1t.
with after dinner coffee cups crowded so
c1n 10 n0f incl nf md
kettle that would never boil water, would
ruin more important things than tea The
afternoon tea table should be practical at
least, and at the same time 1t should be at
eral look of hospitality.
First and foremost never under any cir
cumstances, should it be standing, dust
collector, in the sitting room parlor. In
stead. 1t should be arranged just before
using.
This takes only moment. Try it.
Have table for the purpose, and place
1t in the room where it will be among the
occupants, that the hostess can take
part in the conversation. Lay on little
linen cover, the cups, milk jug, lemon dish,
hol lamp. If one is experimenting and not
certain whether the tea habit" is to be
fixed and has no water kettle, the tea may
be made for a time in the kitchen, but do
please have it fresh and made of boiling
water. Should there be no alcohol kettle
there must be a covered jug to keep the
water hot, for it is used later to dilute the
beverage. These jugs are inexpensive if Of
simple design.
Besides tea there should be plate of
toast or thin bread and butter set on the
table. Tea should never be put into the
stomach without taking little food at the
same time, and it Is astonishing how good
a plain sandwich tastes if taken about half
past four o'clock every afternoon. Let the
bread be thin, and If liked jam may be
spread on it. Lay two bits of bread to-
gether so that the fingers will not be soiled
when eating.
1t seems a bother to make dish of sand
witches. 1 am rather busy woman, and
not housekeeper, but / can make a big
plate of sandwiches-thin ones, too-in five
minutes, by having the butter soft before l
begin. Hard butter is impossible.
There may be cakes ii one wishes in
stead of bread and butter, but the bread is
better for the complexion, although plain
sweets once in a while, just for change
will do no harm.
Have tea cups to drink from, and be sure
that the tea is of good quality. When
you begin serving afternoon tea tell your
friends that you are doing it, and allow
nothing to interfere. no matter how many
things there may be about the house.
that you will have acquired the habit and
be glad of it.
Afternoon tea is recreation that women
working in offices are yet deprived Of and
/ am sorry. 1t would help them so through
this last part of the day always hardest
because one Is tired. Throughout England
stenographers and clerks In offices are given
few minutes for tea, and perhaps after
q time the custom may prevail here