Tea Parties in Hawai‘i

Hawai‘i Island is known for great coffees. Did you know that it also has a small thriving industry in growing and producing tea?

Tea was grown commercially in Hawai‘i from the time it was introduced in 1887 until 1892. The farms dwindled and eventually died out, until a local grower revived the interest in growing tea on our island about 20 years ago.

In Hawai‘i, we don’t have “tea plantations,” instead, we have small “boutique” type farms producing outstanding teas. Camellia sinensis, the plant from which tea is derived, grows well in all elevations of our island. From Āhualoa to Volcano there are several tea growers who are passionate and enthusiastic about their Hawai‘i grown tea.

“Processing is the art,” explains one tea grower. “Each farm will have its own unique tea.” Comparing tea with wine, he comments, “Like wine, though made with basically some of the same grapes, each vintner’s product has its own identity. Tea grown in the different farms will each have their own personality. The essence of tea is in the processing.”

In the early days after the missionaries arrived in the Hawaiian Islands, afternoon tea was one of the social events in which the ladies all participated and the custom was also adopted by female members of the Hawaiian Ali‘i (Royalty), eventually becoming popular as a form of afternoon entertainment. As the islands became more and more assimilated into the daily grind of making a living, the custom fell from favor except in some rare instances.

What we call High Tea in Hawai‘i is known as Afternoon Tea in the United Kingdom; a treat of tea, small sandwiches, scones, and cake to fill the gap between the mid-day meal and a fashionably late dinner. High Tea or supper was the evening meal for the working classes, instead of the stop gap between the mid-day and evening meals. Today the edges between the two have blurred and many consider a tea with a large variety of food as High Tea.

Afternoon tea is still being served in some of the resort hotels in Waikīkī. On Hawai‘i Island there are several Bed and Breakfasts, a local vanilla grower, and even some of the tea growers who offer delightful afternoon teas. Some of the growers also offer tea tours and tastings.

Tea parties are gaining favor again, and considering that we can serve tea grown and processed right here on this island, should be a wonderful reason to host one!

I hosted two tea parties in the recent past—one was a bridal shower and the other was a “girls only just because” tea party. I have attended a tea party for an elderly friend’s birthday and have my own small “tea for one” parties on my back lānai. Any theme or occasion can be a cause to host a tea party.

A little girl’s birthday tea party could use an Alice in Wonderland setting. A baby shower theme would be a lot fun. A formal bridal shower would call for silver and beautiful china (even if the cups don’t match) and linens could be either white or in the bride’s chosen theme colors.

Although tea parties are usually afternoon affairs, some could run into the early evening. In that case, make sure to place a few candles in glass bowls around the area. Another idea for table centerpieces can be to place a small mirror in the center and a few glasses or pretty glass bowls filled with flowers and candles. Reflected candlelight and flowers make everything beautiful.

To host a tea party, plan on serving at least two or three different teas and an array of tempting sweet and savory dishes such as open face or beautifully cut sandwiches; finger food, a trifle, a cake, scones, petit fours, or mini cream puffs; all beautifully presented.

The food served can be elaborate or simple. The main idea is to make it fun—for your guests, and also for you!

The setting doesn’t have to be formal as long as it is attractive. Depending on your style of entertaining, you can use pottery, china, or glass tea pots and serving pieces, as well as silver and porcelain. One rule I do follow is to always use cloth napkins. I do not use paper napkins, no matter how informal the party.

I have a collection of tea pots, which I enjoy using as table centerpieces when not pressed in use to serve the tea. However, any pretty collections you might own will be appropriate to use as centerpieces or decorations when following a theme.

A lānai would serve as a lovely “tea room” if you have space to set a few card tables and chairs. A garden setting would be even lovelier.

For a simple tea for two to four people, an ètagère, or three tier stand, can hold all the food at a small table and the tea service can be also placed on the same table.

For a larger party, place the tea pots, cream, sugar, lemon slices, your cups and small plates on a separate table, sideboard, or counter.

Set the main table as a buffet; arranging the food attractively. If you have, or can borrow, a couple of small ètagère to serve pastries, remember to use them for height and visual appeal.

Cover the tables with tablecloths or even an assortment of colorful pareos. Place a small centerpiece or lay a few hibiscus, orchids, or plumeria blossoms in the center and you’ve already added a festive touch. If using individual tables, place the forks, spoons, and napkins there; otherwise, place them on the table, sideboard, or counter where the tea is served along with the plates and cups.

When making sandwiches for tea, be sure to cut the bread in small triangles or thin slices and trim off the crusts. Assorted shaped cookie cutters can be used for dainty sandwiches.

Tea Sandwich Fillings Ideas:

• Egg salad with chopped pimento on white bread.
• Chicken salad with grape halves or cranraisins in mini croissant sandwiches.
• Cream cheese, crushed pineapple and chopped nuts spread on banana bread.
• Cucumbers sliced in thin ribbons on bread spread with ranch dressing.
• Chopped nasturtium blooms and leaves mixed in with sweet butter; seasoned with salt and white pepper.
• Thin slices of ham on pumpernickel bread lightly spread with coarse country mustard.
• Smoked salmon with cream cheese and capers, topped with lemon zest strip.
• Thin turkey slices with cream cheese and strawberry jam in Hawaiian Sweet Bread mini buns or small rolls.
• Cucumber or watercress with butter: Mix 4 T softened butter, 1/2 tsp. grated lemon zest, and 1 T chopped fresh herbs. Spread on white bread and add thin cucumber slices or sprigs of watercress.

Sandwiches can be decorated with edible flowers, such as nasturtiums, violas, pansies, geraniums and others. Check online for edible flowers.

Bridal Shower Tea
The food served was open faced cucumber sandwiches, cream cheese and pineapple banana bread sandwiches and chicken salad in mini croissant sandwiches; white asparagus wrapped in smoked salmon served with sour cream and capers; julienned carrots, zucchini, mushrooms, sprouts and basil greens wrapped in small rice wrapper cornucopias; liliko‘i cream filled mini puff pastries, Mexican wedding cookies, and a strawberry custard trifle. ❖

For more information on who is growing tea on Hawai‘i Island, please contact the Hawai‘i Tea Society.

For Tea Tours and Tastings:
Onomea Tea Company
Mauna Kea Tea in Honoka‘a
Tea Hawai‘i in Volcano

To learn more about tea contact JoAnn K. Aguirre

Contact writer Sonia R. Martinez