Afternoon Tea

History of Afternoon Tea
Legend has it that Anna Maria Stanhope, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, England invented the afternoon tea. In the early 1800s, dinner in high society was not served until 8 or 9 o'clock at night, and often finding herself hungry, the Duchess would order a tray of tea with bread and butter between meals. She soon began inviting friends to join her for an additional afternoon meal and the affair became a popular thing amongst the upper class. Along with tea, there would be small sandwiches, assorted sweets and scones with clotted creams or preserves. Afternoon tea was quickly picked up by the middle classes as the cost of tea leaves fell and the ritual became an economical way of entertaining friends.

Afternoon Tea vs. High Tea
When people think of English tea ceremonies, it is afternoon tea, or low tea, that they are envisioning, rather than high tea. Afternoon tea is a light meal served in the late afternoon, usually around 4 o'clock and taken in the sitting room on low tables. High tea, on the other hand is an early evening meal, served around 6 o'clock and replacing both afternoon tea and dinner as the main post-lunch meal. It is common in working class settings and is usually referred to as 'tea', even if beer or cola is the beverage of choice!

Tea in the Afternoon Today
The English custom of a tea break between 3 and 4 o'clock in the afternoon is still alive and thriving today, both in it's homeland and around the world. Everyday in Britain, most businesses find time mid-afternoon for workers to gather with snacks and cups of tea to discuss work, reality TV or perhaps do a crossword or suduko. These tea breaks, or tea times, are also popular in Australia and the other countries of the former British Empire. In fact, even in a cricket match the play will be suspended mid-afternoon to allow the players to enjoy a cup or two with snacks like tuna sandwiches or Batenburg cake.

Afternoon Tea as a Dining Experience
An afternoon visit to a tea room or hotel lounge has become one of the quintessential treats offered in Britain and around the world. Tea rooms and tea gardens tend to offer variations of Cream Tea - tea with scones, jam and Devonshire clotted cream. This is usually enjoyed with a pot of black tea and in a beautiful rural setting like the Granchester Orchards or Watersmeet.

Hotel afternoon teas tend to be a more elaborate and luxurious affair, adding several extra courses to the basic cream tea and increasingly offering champagne and strawberries as a starter. The usual arrangment is for the cream tea to be brought after the optional champagne starter and this then followed up by savouries (including the notorious cucumber sandwich) and sweet pastries. Hotel afternoon teas also usually offer a wide variety of teas from around the world and sometimes background music is provided by a harpist or pianist. Hotels compete to provide the best presentation, service and setting and many of the world's most famous hotels have now become synonymous with afternoon tea - The Ritz and Savoy in London, Raffles in Singapore and Hong Kong's Peninsula are notable examples. Elaborate hotel-style afternoon teas are also often offered by classy restaurants and sometimes even by upscale department stores!