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Eight Interesting Facts About Afternoon Tea
Michele LillieAfternoon Tea: A Journey Through Tradition and Evolution
Afternoon tea is a tradition steeped in history. Our mind brings forth images of beautiful china, scones with clotted cream, and an assortment of finger sandwiches and pastries. Although Afternoon Tea has evolved over the centuries, it has not lost its appeal. Let’s explore eight facts about afternoon tea.
1. Origin
The credit for the creation of Afternoon Tea is usually given to Anna, the Duchess of Bedford, in the early 1840s. Feeling hungry during the long hours between lunch and the evening meal, which wasn’t served until 8 or 9 pm, she requested a tray of tea, bread, butter, and cake to be brought to her room in the late afternoon. She then began to invite friends to join her for this afternoon indulgence, which grew in popularity among the upper classes. By the late 19th century, it had become an established tradition, particularly among the British aristocracy.
2. Influence of Queen Victoria
The Duchess introduced her afternoon tea practice to Queen Victoria, who embraced it and even requested specific cakes, such as the now-famous Victoria sponge cake. This royal endorsement helped popularize afternoon tea across England.
3. Traditional Offerings
What we enjoy today as Afternoon Tea has evolved from a simple snack to a very elegant and refined experience. Traditionally, there are three courses:
- Savory sandwiches (often including cucumber, egg and watercress, smoked salmon, and ham with mustard).
- Scones with clotted cream and jam (a quintessential component of the tea).
- A selection of pastries and cakes (ranging from delicate éclairs to rich fruitcakes).
4. Evolution of Afternoon Tea
In modern times, afternoon tea has expanded beyond the realm of the aristocracy to become a widely enjoyed occasion in hotels, tearooms, and restaurants worldwide. Today, it is seen as a special treat, often enjoyed to celebrate occasions such as birthdays and bridal showers, or simply as a leisurely indulgence. Some establishments even offer themed afternoon teas, incorporating unique flavors, seasonal ingredients, or cultural twists, thus keeping the tradition fresh and appealing to contemporary tastes.
5. Afternoon Tea is not High Tea
A common misconception is that the terms "afternoon tea" and "high tea" are interchangeable. In reality, these terms refer to very different customs.
As described above, Afternoon Tea is an elegant meal typically enjoyed in the mid-afternoon. It consists of finger sandwiches, scones and sweets. The name "afternoon tea" is derived from the time it is served. Another term that is sometimes used is “Low Tea,” as it was enjoyed at low tables in elegant drawing rooms.
On the other hand, High Tea was historically the evening meal for the working class. Unlike the light and refined afternoon tea, high tea was a substantial affair, typically served between 5 and 7 PM. The term "high tea" originates from the height of the table—literally a "high" dining table—at which it was eaten, as opposed to the "low" tables used for afternoon tea. High tea often included hearty dishes such as meat pies, cold cuts, bread, and butter and was accompanied by strong tea. It was a practical meal to refuel after a long day’s work.
Over the years, some establishments have blurred the lines between these two distinct traditions, leading to confusion. However, understanding the difference is key to appreciating the cultural and social nuances that each represents.
6. Afternoon Tea is not Cream Tea
Although very delightful, a Cream Tea is different from an Afternoon Tea. In a Cream Tea, a person is only served scones with clotted cream and jam accompanied by tea. Adding strawberries turns this into a Strawberry Tea.
7. The Order of Jam & Cream is a Regional Dispute
Both the Cornish and Devonshire people claim to have invented the Cream Tea, and each have a view on the order of the toppings. The Devon tradition is cream first with jam spread on top, while the Cornish tradition is to put the jam on and then top it off with clotted cream.
8. Clotted Cream Should Be Authentic
As clotted cream is not always available at supermarkets, many establishments serve what is called “clotted cream,” but it is far from authentic. At times, it might not be more than whipped cream. Some might serve Chantilly cream, which is lightly sweetened whipped cream. Still others include cream cheese or mascarpone cheese in the mixture.
Originally, clotted cream was made by heating unpasteurized cow's milk in a shallow pan for many hours. This caused the cream to rise to the surface and "clot." It is said to have originally been made by farmers to reduce the amount of waste from their milk. There is also evidence that the monks of Tavistock Abbey (located in Devon) made clotted cream in the early 14th century.
Today, it typically starts with heavy whipping cream cooked at a low temperature for a long period of time. To be true clotted cream, it has to have a minimum fat content of 55%, although most of the clotted cream made in England leans towards 64%.
At English Tealeaves , we serve two different traditional Afternoon Teas. One is our Deluxe Afternoon Tea, which is a slightly scaled-down version of our extravagant Royal Afternoon Tea. We also serve special and seasonal teas, such as our Mother’s Day tea, our Witches tea and our Holiday tea. We haven’t forgotten the little ones and have teas designed just for them. All require a reservation and can be booked through our website .
Our Afternoon Teas offer a delicious selection of tea sandwiches, scones and sweets. Our scones are served with authentic clotted cream, which can also be purchased in our shop. You can choose many teas from our extensive loose-leaf tea menu .
Afternoon Tea is an enduring tradition that comes in many forms today. It is combines delicious tea and food with a lovely social gathering. Whether you are forging a bond with just one other loved one or splashing out with a jovial special celebration, Afternoon Tea is an experience not to be missed.