<!-- Deleted image removed: thumb|Tea sandwiches cut with dog shaped [[cookie cutters.]] -->
A tea sandwich (also referred to as finger sandwich) Because tea was expensive, only the wealthy could afford it, so drinking and serving tea was also an indicator of wealth. Recipes for tea sandwiches appeared in Mrs. Hill's New Cook Book (1867). The bread crust is cut away cleanly from the sandwich after the sandwich has been prepared but before serving. Modern bread variations might include wheat, pumpernickel, sour dough or rye bread. The bread used for preparing finger sandwiches is sometimes referred to as sandwich bread.
Fillings are light, and are "dainty" or "delicate" in proportion to the amount of bread. Spreads might include butter, cream cheese or mayonnaise mixtures, and the sandwiches often feature fresh vegetables such as radishes, olives, cucumber, asparagus, or watercress. The cucumber tea sandwich in particular is considered the quintessential tea sandwich.
Other popular tea sandwich fillings include tomatoes, pimento cheese, ham with mustard, smoked salmon with cream cheese, fruit jam, curried chicken, fish paste, and egg salad.
See also
- Canapé
- Cucumber sandwich
- Tapas
- Pinchos
- Tramezzino
- List of sandwiches