The Popular Tea Sandwich You Should Never Make Ahead Of Time

Is there anything more leisurely than an afternoon tea? The British meal tradition is best enjoyed at a luxe hotel like New York City's Plaza Hotel, which serves specialty teas with a multitude of both sweet and savory bites. Yet whether you're at a multi-star hotel in Lake Forest, local restaurant in your home town, or in your own house, no afternoon tea is complete with a light and refreshing cucumber sandwich. The finger food mainstay is simple to make, but should be prepared with special regard to timing. That's because cucumber sandwiches can easily turn soggy, thanks to the water content of the sandwich's signature ingredient.

In general, cucumbers consist of large amounts of water — specifically, they're roughly 96% water — which means they're prone to releasing moisture when put in a sandwich. If prepared ahead of time, a cucumber sandwich is therefore likely to become soggy and overrun with moisture; the cucumbers will have plenty of time to infuse their surrounding pieces of bread with water, resulting in a wet, subpar sandwich. You therefore want to wait until the last possible minute to make your cucumber concoction. Proper care and timing guarantees a tea sandwich that's still crisp and refreshing, rather than bogged down with moisture. 

As for how to best prepare a cucumber sandwich? Don't skimp on the cream cheese, which can buy you and your cucumber sandwiches a little more prep time. 

Cucumbers may be the only ingredient directly named in a cucumber sandwich, but cream cheese is just as integral to the sandwich's composition — and can be helpful in limiting sogginess. Specifically, cucumber sandwiches utilize a cream cheese often flavored with fresh dill, which can act as a helpful buffer against your cucumber's moisture. Simply spread the herbaceous cream cheese on both sides of your sandwich bread before placing your cucumbers in between. This layering technique can minimize the cucumber's ability to seep directly into your fluffy tea bread.

With this rule in mind, you can maximize the meal's longevity — though it's suggested that leaving no more than four hours between assembling your sandwich and eating it. After that time span, your bread runs the risk of — yes — turning flat and soggy, losing its fluffy texture. If you need to make the sandwiches in a pinch, however, you can always slice your cucumbers ahead of time, then mix up your cream cheese and dill mixture so it's ready to go. All you have to do is layer your ingredients, and you'll have tea-ready sandwiches in no time.

And, if you eventually tire of the same old cucumber combination, you can always upgrade the classic into a spicy cucumber sandwich with cilantro, chili, and lime. The texture and general composition remains the same, but with a taste that will breathe new life into your traditional tea party.