Society afternoon tea

English tea treats
Afternoon tea is typically served in the mid-afternoon and it was traditionally served on low tables, hence its two names.
It involves things like manners, lace, and dainty foods.
Historically, afternoon tea was considered to be a ladies' social occasion, and it is more often enjoyed by women than men to this day..
How is afternoon tea presented?
There aren't any rules when it comes to the food, but a standard afternoon tea menu comprises a tier of sandwiches, a tier of cakes and one of scones or teacakes.
But you could also throw in pastries, petits-fours or biscuits..
Is afternoon tea a British thing?
'Afternoon tea' refers to a quintessentially British tradition established by Anna, the Duchess of Bedford in the 19th century.
When first introduced, the practice of sitting down for afternoon tea wasn't seen as a treat.
In fact, it had a very practical purpose - to fill the gap between lunch and dinner..
What is the afternoon tea culture?
Afternoon Tea is a tea-related ritual, introduced in Britain in the early 1840s.
It evolved as a mini meal to stem the hunger and anticipation of an evening meal at 8pm.
Afternoon Tea is a meal composed of sandwiches (usually cut delicately into 'fingers'), scones with clotted cream and jam, sweet pastries and cakes..
What is the social history of afternoon tea?
It is said that the afternoon tea tradition was established by Anne, Duchess of Bedford.
She requested that light sandwiches be brought to her in the late afternoon because she had a “sinking feeling” during that time because of the long gap between meals..
Why do people like afternoon tea?
An indulgent treat
There is something undeniably fun about eating finger sandwiches and delicious bite-size treats from a delicate tiered plate.
And let's face it, tea always tastes so much better when sipped from a fine bone china teacup and saucer..
In fact, it had a very practical purpose - to fill the gap between lunch and dinner.
In other words, afternoon tea was born as a snack It all started when a peckish Duchess, around 4 pm, would ask for tea, finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, and cakes to be served in her room.
Usually the food is served on a three-tiered tray, with sandwiches or savories on the bottom, scones in the middle, and pastries on the top.
Afternoon tea etiquette is to eat the sandwiches first, then the scones, then the pastries.

Afternoon tea is a tradition that is a part of English history. It all started in the 1800's when Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford who, at the time was a close friend of Queen Victoria and a prominent figure within London society complained of "having that sinking feeling" during the late afternoon.

Afternoon tea was introduced in England by Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, in the year 1840. The Duchess would become hungry around four o'clock in the afternoon. The evening meal in her household was served fashionably late at eight o'clock, thus leaving a long period of time between lunch and dinner.

Is afternoon tea a spa day out?

So fashionable is afternoon tea that brides on a budget are choosing to serve it instead of the formal sit-down meal

And, even Spas around the country are serving Afternoon Tea as part of a spa day out

What is afternoon tea?

Nowadays however, in the average suburban home, afternoon tea is likely to be just a biscuit or small cake and a mug of tea, usually produced using a teabag

Sacrilege! To experience the best of the afternoon tea tradition, indulge yourself with a trip to one of London’s finest hotels or visit a quaint tearoom in the west country

Why was afternoon tea so popular in the Victorian era?

As a result, they used less boning to hold their shape and were made of light, flowing fabrics

Free from some of the Victorian era's performative and literal corsetry, afternoon tea was a place where women took centre stage and were able to exchange ideas, opinions and a healthy dose of gossip

Type of social gathering

A tea dance, also called a thé dansant, was a dance held in the summer or autumn from 4 to 7 p.m.
In the English countryside, a garden party sometimes preceded the dance.
The function grew out of the afternoon tea tradition, and J.
Pettigrew traces its origin to the French colonization of Morocco.

Society afternoon tea

English tea treats

How is afternoon tea presented?

Is afternoon tea a British thing?

What is the afternoon tea culture?

What is the social history of afternoon tea?

Why do people like afternoon tea?

Is afternoon tea a spa day out?

What is afternoon tea?

Why was afternoon tea so popular in the Victorian era?