Cucumber tea sandwiches make a command performance at most baby or wedding showers, Mother’s Day tea parties and spring brunch. Whether you're hosting the event or a guest enjoying one of these dainty fresh sandwiches, there's a lot to love about this refreshing nibble: You don't have to have a pantry full of ingredients to make them, they're very inexpensive, and so quick to and easy to make.

What Is a Cucumber Tea Sandwich?

A classic cucumber tea sandwich consists of crustless white sandwich bread spread with butter and topped with very thinly sliced cucumbers. You may also know them as finger sandwiches because earliest versions were cut into dainty narrow rectangular sandwiches. This updated version skips the butter and instead is spread with a soft herb cheese, a sprinkle of herbs, and sliced radishes and is served open face.

The History of the Cucumber Tea Sandwich

Thought to originate in India where cucumbers were first cultivated, it is believed British troops were served the fresh veggie sandwiches in Indian tea houses as a refreshing bite to counter the heat. Not surprising that the delicate cucumber tea sandwich became a staple at late afternoon tea in the UK in the 1800’s.

Cucumber Tea Sandwich Ingredients

Here's a quick look at what you'll need to make homemade tea sandwiches.

• Bread: This modern version of the classic sandwich swaps out the soft white crustless sandwich bread for a slightly firmer thin-sliced “party bread." You can use any thinly sliced whole grain, rye, or sourdough bread.
• Cucumbers: Seedless cucumbers (aka English or European) are ideal for the sandwiches because they have fewer seeds and thinner skin which make them easier to slice and eat than the regular cucumbers you find at the grocery store. Smaller Persian cucumbers also makes a good substitute for the seedless cucumbers. When farmers market season is in full swing, look for interesting heirloom varieties to vary the shape and color of the cucumbers in your sandwich. Follow these tips when selecting and storing fresh cucumbers. If you love to garden, cucumbers are an easy vegetable to grow.
• Spreads: When cucumber sandwiches became popular in the US, butter was often replaced with an herbed cheese or a Benedictine sauce (a cucumber, cream cheese, dill and chive spread). This Cucumber Tea Sandwich recipe calls for a 5.3-oz container of semi-soft cheese with herbs as the flavorful base, but you can choose any soft spreadable cheese such as an herbed chèvre or a savory flavored whipped cream cheese. 
• Radishes: Add thinly sliced fresh radishes to give the cucumber sandwiches more color, texture, and a spicy kick. Get creative, in season there are plenty of interesting varieties at the farmers market.
• Fresh Herbs: Dill is most often the herb paired with cucumbers, but there are no rules when it comes to herbs on this sandwich. Try basil, tarragon, or a mix of parsley and mint or choose whatever herb you have on hand. 
• Salt: Sprinkle the sandwiches with a finishing salt such as Maldon, a flaky sea salt.
  

How to Cut Cucumber Tea Sandwiches

Even though this recipe is an open-faced sandwich, you can give them a different shape if you like. After assembling you can cut them into three rectangles, two triangles, or four mini squares, or you can cut them into circles using a 3-inch cutter.