If you’ve ever imagined yourself at the Mad Hatter’s tea table in Wonderland, or daydreamed about taking tea with the Queen of England, look no further: You can find a traditional tea experience right here in White Bear Lake. And with Mother’s Day just around the corner, why not treat Mom to a fun-and-fancy tea at a local tearoom—or right in the comfort of your own home?
The Tea Lady
Julie Frantz, owner of Everyday Etiquette and White Bear Lake’s resident tea expert, can’t remember a time when she wasn’t fascinated by tea parties. “My mom has a picture of me when I was 6, with a winter coat on, in northern Minnesota,” she remembers. “My sister and I and two of our neighbors were sitting out on the porch, having a cup of hot tea.”
Frantz has parlayed this early love of tea into an all-out passion. She studied traditional tea-party etiquette and tea lore with experts all over the country and abroad, and when an opportunity came up to live in Europe for a while, she brought her passion with her. “I visited 55 tearooms in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales,” she says.
Frantz, who taught manners classes and tea instructin at the Avalon Tearoom from 2010 until it changed hands recently, now helps tea enthusiasts by hosting private tea parties or helping them plan their own at home. After all, she says, “there isn’t a more civilized way to connect with other people than over a cup of tea and quiet conversation.”
Hosting the Perfect Tea Party
An at-home tea party isn’t as daunting as it might seem. “It’s not about impressing people,” Frantz says. “It’s about pleasing people, and making them feel comfortable and welcome. The most important ingredient? Focus on your guests.” Frantz walks us through a tea from start to finish.
- First, gather your equipment: a kettle for heating water, a teapot for serving, a few teacups and loose-leaf or bagged tea.
- Pour cold water into your tea kettle and heat it to a full boil on the stove. While it’s boiling, add one teaspoon of loose-leaf tea to your teapot for each guest (use an infuser or strainer) or one teabag per guest. Frantz recommends adding one extra spoonful or bag to round out the flavor.
- Pour hot water over the tea, and let steep according to the package directions.
- Pour each guest a cup and offer milk, sugar and lemon.
- Serve with light tea sandwiches (see recipe online at whitebearlakemag.com), quick breads, scones and indulgent desserts.
Tea Tidbits
Confused by what each tea event entails? Julie Frantz offers a quick guide to keep you informed.
High tea: A hearty, evening sit-down meal at a high table.
Low tea: A lighter meal at a low table—think afternoon tea and scones in the living room.
English cream tea: A cup of tea and a scone with cream and jam.
Light tea: A cup of tea with a scone and one other sweet.
Full tea: A four-course meal, including finger sandwiches, scones, sweets and dessert.
Royal tea: A full tea with a glass of sherry or champagne.
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Everyday Etiquette
815.985.2078
Ellie and Al Kilgore bought the Avalon Tearoom in late 2013 and reopened the business in January. For information about their upcoming Mother’s Day Tea, call the store at 651.653.3822.
