Afternoon tea is the classic British tradition, or even an institution, which seems invariably exciting to foreign tourists. Sadly these days nobody observes it anymore except for very special occasions or as a treat. On the other hand, perhaps I am just not moving in the right social circles?
Afternoon tea is a custom we owe to Victorians – the posh ones, needless to say, as afternoon tea is a seriously posh event. It consists of tea the beverage, naturally, accompanying a selection of sweet and savoury snacks (though ‘snack’ in the modern meaning was certainly not a Victorian term). Those will be sandwiches, with the infamous soggy cucumber sandwiches central on the platter, cakes and last but heaven forbid least – scones, sweet and savoury. Toast can make an appearance, as may buns aka teacakes, which explains the name. Condiment present on the table will be butter and jam for the bread or teacakes and, mandatory with scones, clotted cream.
The latter two elements with jam thrown in constitute cream tea, which actually is the most common surviving thread of the tea tradition. With the feud between Devon and Cornwall (jam or cream first?) ongoing, the English still partake of cream teas albeit mainly when on holiday.
The origin of afternoon tea is ascribed to Queen Catharine of Braganza, married to Charles II, who would feel peckish between lunch and dinner and so took to having tea with nibbles served. A person after my own heart, also incredibly civilised: a whole tea ceremony instead of grabbing a packet of crisps!
Afternoon tea must not be confused with so called ‘high tea’ or simply ‘tea’ which is (originally in lower echelons of the society, now commonly in the north) a full meal, dinner or supper, taken in early or later evening.
Afternoon tea is still an institution, and very expensive if you want to experience it at the Ritz or the Savoy. Make sure you behave and do your research on how precisely to pour, stir and add milk to your cup – I am certainly no expert and have probably embarrassed myself on occasion – and how to elegantly sip and daintily eat.
If you’d like to host a tea event and are in need of recipes, I’m happy to oblige with the selection below. But of course scones, fruited or plain, sweet or savoury don’t need the tea ceremony. Nor do classic English cakes, like carrot, Victoria sponge, Battenberg or Bakewell. Yorkshire teacakes are lovely also for breakfast and basic white bread will serve well for traditional sandwiches, just make sure you cut off the crust.
If you can’t buy clotted cream, make your own. Jam is also best homemade, and obviously you must have biscuits: shortbread, ginger snaps or chocolate digestives. Happy afternoon tea!