Tea Dueling

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What is Tea Dueling?

Tea Dueling is a beloved steampunk tradition and a true test of nerves, steadiness, and composure. Two competitors face off across a table, each armed with a cup of hot tea and a biscuit, and attempt to outlast their opponent in a battle of patience and precision. Open to all ages and skill levels, no experience is required, just a steady hand and an iron will!

The Officials

Every Tea Duel is presided over by two officers:
  • The Tiffin Master (or Tiffin Mistress): The referee and presiding official of the duel. The Tiffin Master counts the dunk, monitors the biscuit, and declares the winner. Their decision is final.
  • The Pot Master: Responsible for pouring equal amounts of hot tea into each competitor’s cup before the duel begins.
What You Will Need
  • Two competitors, known as Dunkers
  • Two cups of hot tea, known as the Brew Martial
  • One biscuit per Dunker, selected from a serving plate presented by the Tiffin Master

The Goal

The goal of Tea Dueling is to achieve a clean “Nom,” which means consuming your entire dunked biscuit cleanly, without losing any pieces along the way. The trick is that your biscuit has been soaking in hot tea and will want to fall apart the moment it leaves the cup. The winner is the Dunker who waits the longest before taking their Nom while still achieving a clean result.
How a Duel is Conducted
  1. The two Dunkers take their seats across the table from each other.
  2. The Pot Master pours equal amounts of hot tea into each cup.
  3. The Tiffin Master presents the biscuits on a serving plate and announces “Choose your weapon!” Each Dunker selects one biscuit. Once a biscuit is touched, it must be used. No substitutions are permitted.
  4. Each Dunker holds their biscuit by the edge, no more than six inches above their cup.
  5. On the command “Dunk!”, both Dunkers immediately lower their biscuit into the tea.
  6. The Tiffin Master counts aloud to five. Dunkers must keep their biscuit fully submerged until the count of five is complete.
  7. On the count of five, Dunkers remove their biscuits and attempt to hold them steady for as long as possible before taking their Nom.
  8. The Tiffin Master declares the winner.

Winning and Losing

  • A clean Nom means the entirety of the biscuit is consumed with no pieces falling to the table, floor, or the Dunker’s person.
  • If both Dunkers achieve a clean Nom, the Dunker who waited the longest before eating their biscuit is declared the winner.
  • If a biscuit falls back into the tea, this is known as a “Splash” and that Dunker is defeated.
  • If a biscuit falls onto the table or floor, this is known as a “Splatter” and that Dunker is defeated.
  • If a biscuit falls onto the Dunker’s own person, this is known as a “Splodge.” The Dunker is defeated, but is afforded credit for their sacrifice.

General Rules

  • Tea is the only permitted beverage. Coffee and chocolate are strictly prohibited.
  • Both competitors must have cups of the same size to ensure fairness.
  • One elbow may be rested on the table as a steadying mechanism. Competitors may not use gravity or any other artificial means to assist their Nom.
  • Good sportsmanship and Victorian grace are expected at all times.
  • The Tiffin Master’s decision is final in all matters.
  • Sign up at the Tea Dueling station on festival day. Free to enter!
May your biscuit hold, your hand be steady, and your Nom be clean. Good luck, Dunkers!

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