Cream Pitcher and Sugar Bowl

The cream pitcher and sugar bowl are self-explanatory tea accessories. Both are usually fairly small in size, as copious amounts of cream and sugar are rarely consumed during Afternoon Tea. Cream, milk or half and half should be added to the pitcher shortly before the gathering begins, and the pitcher should be refrigerated until the hostess is ready to pour the tea. Some hostesses like to use two pitchers, one for cream and one for milk. These can be different colors or designs to distinguish the contents. The cream pitcher and sugar bowl should be placed close to each other near the teapot. Most sugar bowls have a lid, and the hostess can remove the lid and place it on the tea tray next to the sugar bowl just before serving tea. A sugar spoon can be placed directly into the bowl or next to the bowl on the serving tray. As mentioned earlier, the guests should use the sugar spoon only for adding sugar to their tea, not for stirring. They will be provided their own teaspoon for that purpose. The hostess will also offer a few fresh lemon wedges in a small bowl or plate near the teapot for those who wish to add lemon to their tea. It is the hostess’ responsibility to check the cream pitcher and sugar bowl occasionally and refill them if necessary. 

Cream pitchers and sugar bowls are usually a matched set made of fine china, glass, crystal or ceramic material. Afternoon Tea beginners might want to buy more than one set decorated in seasonal colors and patterns to use with their plain white china for special occasions or holidays during the different seasons of the year. Experienced tea hostesses often become enthusiastic collectors of cream pitchers and sugar bowls in a variety of seasonal motifs, colors, shapes, china patterns and styles. Attractive cream pitchers and sugar bowls can add significantly to the mood and theme of an Afternoon Tea gathering while still serving a practical purpose.