Afternoon tea is a light meal typically eaten between 4 pm and 6 pm. Observance of the custom originated amongst the wealthy classes in England in the 1840s.[2][3] Anna Maria Russell, Duchess of Bedford, is widely credited as transforming afternoon tea in England into a late-afternoon meal whilst visiting Belvoir Castle, though Charles II of England‘s wife Catherine of Braganza is often credited with introducing tea to the court upon her arrival in 1662.[4][5][6][7] By the end of the nineteenth century, afternoon tea developed to its current form and was observed by both the upper and middle classes: “the table was laid… there were the best things with a fat pink rose on the side of each cup; hearts of lettuce, thin bread and butter, and the crisp little cakes that had been baked in readiness that morning.”[8]
Traditionally, loose tea is brewed in a teapot and served with milk and sugar. The sugar and caffeine of the concoction provided fortification against afternoon doldrums for the working poor of 19th and early 20th century England, who had a significantly lower calorie count and more physically demanding occupation than most westerners today. For labourers, the tea was sometimes accompanied by a small sandwich or baked snack (such as scones) that had been packed for them in the morning. For the more privileged, afternoon tea was accompanied by luxury ingredient sandwiches (customarily cucumber, eggand cress, fish paste, ham, and smoked salmon), scones (with clotted cream and jam, see cream tea) and usually cakes and pastries (such as Battenberg cake, fruit cake or Victoria sponge). In hotels and tea shops, food is often served on a tiered stand; there may be no sandwiches, but bread or scones with butter or margarine and optional jam or other spread, or toast, muffins or crumpets.[9][10][11] It was the emergence of afternoon tea that saw Britain regard biscuits as something dunked in tea, a British custom that was later exported around the globe.[12]
Isabella Beeton, whose books on home economics were widely read in the 19th century, describes afternoon teas of various kinds: the old-fashioned tea, the at-home tea, the family tea and the high tea and provides menus.[13] Nowadays, a formal afternoon tea is often taken as a treat in a hotel or tea shop.[14]
you are making me hungry…………
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Actually Me toooooo =) =)
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I have always wondered how this tradition got started. Thank you for this great essay on one of the world’s great traditions.
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Woww. It is awesome. You’re welcome. Thank you so much your thought. I felt so happy. Keep touching. If you wonder something you can ask me. I can share and search for you. =) Keep touching.
Melody =)
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I have enjoyed afternoon Tea a few times, most recently, in Panama City, Florida, of all places, at an exemplary little shop, in the heart of its downtown.
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Hi,
Exactly I agree with you. Me too I like it. This is important for British people =)
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There are quite a few places in New York City to go get tea that I have been meaning to try for a while now. This post just convinced me to do as such!
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Maybe You’re right. =)
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What a lovely post! Tea time reminds me of childhood, cookies and oatmeal raisin muffins.
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Thank you so much 😊 Keep in touch 😊
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AH i love this!! ❤ And I'm a tea addict too so this makes me wanna go to UK lol
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Thank you 😊
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Pingback: United Kingdom Afternoon tea… | Love, Laughter, and Life
A fantastic delight if you ask me. 🙂
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Wowww. Thank you 😊
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YOU are welcome. 😀
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😊
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Thanks for following me. 😊
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Hi,
It is my pleasure. Thank you so much =) Keep in touch =)
Melody…
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What a wonderful name, (not flirting just a memory) the best memory of a girl I once knew in catalunya was running into the sea with a girl called melody.. That was some 25 years ago, wow your name has brought back memories.. Xx
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Wowww. I felt so happy. I am so lucky. It is my pleasure. Thank you so much =)
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Love English tea !!!
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Me too 😉
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When I am sad just thinking of having one in London makes me 😍😀😀💓💓
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If you want to go in London you can do it. It is simple. Just believe your self. Everything is possible.
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In fact when I can , I fly there!!! my heart belongs to London since I have been living there when I was twenty & had great fun 🎈🙌🍸🍾🍻❤️
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Woww. It is nice. Actually London so beautiful city. It has lots of places. Eveything is awesome. Maybe You can go again. WHY not! 😉
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