The Art Of Afternoon Tea
The 1800s gave birth to the quaint and charming ritual of “Afternoon Tea” in England. It was an always hungry
Anna, the Duchess of Bedford, who started the craze. She ate in the manner of the time (a hearty breakfast, a
light lunch and nothing in between until a very fashionably late supper). Understandably wishing for something
more in the afternoon hours, she asked her servants to bring some light fare, along with hot tea and serve it to her
in her private quarters. After a while, she invited close friends to join her and share her new afternoon custom.
Word spread throughout the country and “Afternoon Tea” became a major component to English daily life.
Styles Of Tea
Outlined below are some forms of enjoying this favorite beverage.
High Tea In the p ast High Tea was considered the tea of the working class rather than the tea of the elite.
This tea was a hearty affair. Meat pies, Welsh rarebit, Shepherd’s pies, slices of roast, sausage, vegetables, casseroles,
puddings, and heavy desserts and other dinnertime staples usually made with leftovers were commonly
served. The term “High” came about because the tea meal was taken at a high dining table, or with high back
chairs all around a table. This was to distinguish the meal from the Afternoon Tea that was taken at low tables.
In recent years, High Tea has become a term for elaborate Afternoon Tea, though this is an American usage and
mainly unrecognized in Britain. It is usually served between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM.
NOTE: High Tea is sometimes confused with the teas that King Edward VII hosted during his reign from 1901-1910. The King, it seems, had so many meals in his daily schedule he had to change everyone else’s schedules also. Dinnertime was pushed forward another hour or so to 8:30 PM or 9:00 PM so that High Tea could now be held even later in the afternoon, bringing it to what most Americans think of as dinnertime around 5:00 PM or later. Known for his huge appetite, the King ate no less than 12 courses at dinner and is responsible for adding “appetizers” to the dinner menus of British society.
Formal Afternoon Tea Formal Afternoon Tea is an elaborate affair with white linens, silver, hats and gloves,
bone china, and several different types of tea. Darjeeling and Ceylon varieties are suggested for this teatime. Tea
fare consists of scones, at least four varieties of savories, and beautiful fi nger desserts or petits fours presented
on three-tiered racks often buffet style. Traditional service time is 4:00 PM, however any time between 2:00 PM
and 5:00 PM is appropriate.
Afternoon Tea Or Low Tea Afternoon Tea or Low Tea is designed to enhance social skills and usually is
served in fi ne fashion and in several courses. The term “Low Tea” may come from the fact that hotels have traditionally
used low tables in their lobbies to hold the foods and tea service presented at afternoon teas. This full
tea service includes scones, savories, and a variety of petits fours, and is traditionally served at 4:00 PM, however
any time between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM is appropriate.
Special Event Or Seasonal Tea This tea is designed for the season, occasion, or personal style for the hostess
or honored guest. Although this tea requires planning, it also provides an opportunity for creativity in themes,
menus, table settings, favors and invitations. Examples include bridal teas, sweetheart teas, Christmas teas, harvest
teas, baby shower teas, business teas, retirement teas, graduation teas, garden teas, and benefi t teas.
Cream Tea Cream Tea basically is an afternoon sweet-tooth tea that features a heavy clotted cream from
Devonshire. The term “cream” applies to the clotted cream rather than putting cream in the tea. Cream is too
rich to accompany tea as it will curdle; milk is the preferred addition. Besides scones, this tea includes fresh fruits,
berries in season, and cake. Cream Tea is traditionally served from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Brunch Tea Brunch Tea is a hearty tea to start one’s day with a warm egg dish, fresh fruit, or pasties
light on sugar content. This is the perfect time to seek a hearty breakfast tea since the traditional time is from
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Teddy Bear Tea This special tea, really hot chocolate, was prepared by nannies for their young charges. The
children would scurry off to their quarters to play with their favorite dolls or bears and sip hot chocolate while
munching on goodies from the adults’ tea table.
The “Elevenses” The term “Elevenses” came from the British and was their version of the American offi ce
coffee break between ten and eleven in the morning. In Britain, a tea cart with tea, crumpets, scones, or cinnamon
toast was wheeled in for the break.
NOTE: Remember one drinks tea (one does not take tea). During the Victorian era, the term to take tea was used
by the lower classes and considered a vulgar expression by the upper classes.
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