Finger sandwiches are served with afternoon tea.
Finger sandwiches are traditionally served during afternoon tea. These elegantly dainty sandwiches are also known as "savouries" and are so called because they are meant to be eaten with your fingers. They should be served with scones and pastries alongside tea poured from a silver pot. If hosting an afternoon tea, serve finger sandwiches made with a variety of fillings and arrange them on a china for guests to help themselves.
Serving
Delicate finger sandwiches are traditionally eaten off delicate bone china plates. Place the sandwiches on an elegant cake stand, cover the table with a white linen, crisp cotton or lace cloth and accessorize with a fresh floral centerpiece. (See Reference 3.)
Eating
Small sandwiches such as tea sandwiches and canap s may be picked up and fingers, according to the Dining Etiquette Guide (see Reference 2). The proper afternoon tea etiquette is not to overload your plate, as there is no limit to the amount of servings to which you may help yourself.
Fillings and Accompaniments
Smoked salmon, cucumber, egg mayonnaise, ham and good quality cheddar make elegant and appetizing fillings for finger sandwiches. Scones served with jam and cream, and tea cakes and pastries are traditional accompaniments for an afternoon tea. (See Reference 4.)
History
The traditional afternoon tea, of which finger sandwiches are an essential ingredient, is believed to have been invented by Anna Maria Stanhope, the Duchess of Bedford. The duchess, one of Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting, suffered from a sinking feeling in the late afternoon. She invited friends to join her for an additional meal in her rooms at Belvoir Castle at 5 o'clock. The menu consisted of small cakes, dainty bread and butter sandwiches and assorted sweets tea, according to What's Cooking America. (See Reference 1).
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