Topeka business owners carry on tea tradition
1:12 p.m. Friday, March 17, 2006
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Freda and Maude is a meeting place with cool stuff and tea. It's quite the eclectic place, filled with fun and unique items - from doggie treats to baby goodies. They have many varieties of gourmet foods.
There's a bakery in back that makes tasty treats fresh every day.
Miki Hicks, the co-owner of Freda and Maude, says the place has a family history, just like its name.
"Freda was my grandmother and Maude was my business partner's grandmothe," Miki said.
Miki knows a lot about tea.
"The ritual of tea started back in the 1600s," she said. "The aristocracy looking for something that would bring them together. Both just to be social, a casual setting a lot easier than a dinner party that would also carry them through the day."
Miki says during those times tea was a mid-day snack usually at four o'clock because dinner would start at eight or nine at night.
There are actually different tea times in the day. Miki says a light tea is served during the early part of the day, about 10 in the morning, and you would probably nosh on scones or sweets.
A high tea is served at four or five in the evening. High tea involves sandwiches, scones, cakes, and little peti fores, and of course tea.
"It's High Tea because it was served at a high table as opposed to, like a dinner table. Low tea or a light tea you're sitting in a armchair and you've got just coffee tables."
Etiquette classes
Freda and Maude offer etiquette classes for girls ages 6 through 10. Classes are held every three months.
Freda and Maude are located at 3129 SW Huntoon in Topeka.
Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
The business hours will change in April.
For more information call: (785) 234-8100.
Miki says the type of tea served doesn't matter, but please don't use cream.
"You do want to use milk and this is milk. The cream will mask the flavors of the tea. It's just too heavy," she said.
Traditionally clotted cream is served alongside scones, but what exactly is it.
"Essentially it's milk left out," Miki said. "Makes the butter on the top. You skim that butter off and scald it and then you leave it out again."
Well, at Freda and Maude they serve traditional butter.
So, why continue the centuries-old English ritual?
To sit back and relax and "have one part of the day that is just for you and your friends," Miki said.
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