The concept of afternoon tea was born in the first half of the 19th century to answer a very basic need – to satisfy a hunger that occurred in the hours between the light breakfast and the late evening meals that were still common in the upper classes of English society. It is Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, who is credited with making the ritual of afternoon tea popular.
As a member of the nobility, the Duchess found herself increasingly hungry during the long hours between breakfast and the fashionably late dinner, which was often served as late as 8 or 9 pm. To calm her hunger, she began to ask for a tray of tea, bread, and butter to be delivered to her around 4 o’clock in the afternoon.
This new ritual soon caught on with the Duchess’s friends, and the new habit soon became a dear social ritual among the British high-society.
Tea Gardens and Tea Rooms
With the expansion of the afternoon tea rituals, Tea Gardens and Tea Rooms emerged to meet the growing demand for this new social past-time. These spaces offered an elegant atmosphere for ladies and gentlemen to come together, sip their tea, and share delicate sandwiches, scones, and sweet treats.
One of the earliest and most famous tea rooms was Gunter’s Tea Shop, which opened in 1828 in London. This establishment set the standard and quickly became a fashionable place for the city’s elite to meet. It played a significant role in the in the evolution of the tradition of afternoon tea as we know it today.
Refined Afternoon Tea
As the 19th century went on, the ritual of afternoon tea became an increasingly polished and formal affair. It was time for the ladies to display their best china, silverware, and linens, and to play to their perfect manners and social graces.
The traditional afternoon tea menu would include finger sandwiches with cucumber or smoked salmon for example, scones with clotted cream and jam, and a range of delicate pastries and mini cakes. The tea itself was often brewed in a shiny silver pot, with a variety of blends from which to choose, including the ever-popular English Breakfast and Earl Grey.
The Difference Between Afternoon Tea and High Tea
Though “Afternoon Tea” and “High Tea” are terms often used interchangeably, they actually represent two different historic customs. Afternoon tea, as we have seen, was a light meal, a way for the upper classes to fill the gap between meals.
High tea, on the other hand, was a more substantial evening meal that the working classes consumed. This name comes from the fact that it was usually served at a high table or simply the dining table rather than the low, coffee-table-style arrangement used for Afternoon Tea.
High Tea would typically feature heavier food, such as cold meats, cheese, bread, and maybe a pie or a cake. It was a full, satisfying meal intended to feed the working class after a long day at work.
The Modern Experience of Afternoon Tea
Today, the tradition of afternoon tea has evolved and is an activity enjoyed by people of all classes globally. While it still has an air of fancy and class about it, afternoon tea has also become more open and inclusive.
Many hotel cafés and tea rooms now offer the traditional afternoon tea with its array of finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries, fine tea menus. The settings are usually beautiful, with gracefully set tables, fine china, and impeccable service.
Afternoon tea has also become one of the favored forms of celebrating special occasions (birthdays, bridal showers…), or just an cozy afternoon with friends or family. It is a moment of relaxation and pleasure in our fast-moving world and keeps a small reminiscence of the old days when life moved at a slower pace.
The Enduring Appeal of a Quintessentially British Tradition
The history of afternoon tea is a testament to the enduring appeal and charm of this quintessentially British tradition. What began as a simple indulgence for aristocrats has grown into a treasured cultural ritual, which many different types of people enjoy and celebrate around the world.
No matter whether you’re a lifelong connoisseur of afternoon tea or a newer devotee to this elegant pastime, there’s just something undeniably captivating about the ritual of gathering with friends or loved ones, taking a sip of fragrant tea from exquisite china, and munching on the sumptuous array that lies before you.
In times like ours, afternoon tea invites us to slow down, savor the moment, and appreciate the simple pleasures in life – a cup of perfectly brewed tea, a warm scone and the joy of good company. It’s a tradition that has endured for centuries, and one that will undoubtedly continue to captivate and delight for generations to come.
Featured image: Afternoon Tea for Three by Frédéric Soulacroix (1858–1933)
Five O’Clock Tea by Julius Leblanc Stewart