The Great English Tradition - Afternoon Tea

When we talk about tea, one of the first thing we talk about is afternoon tea and the English way of drinking tea. Its been practiced for years and has been well published in books, TV and movies alike. Not many people actually know the origins and history behind this quintessential English way of drinking tea.

History
It is said to have started two centuries ago with the 7th Duchess of Bedford named Anna Maria who was the lady in waiting to Queen Victoria. It started due to the Victorian having there dinner late at night and she was always getting hungry earlier in the afternoon. So she arranged the butler to prepare her tea and a few cakes and biscuits to be served around 5pm. Over time see invited her friends to the afternoon tea and soon after Queen Victoria began with afternoon tea then it truly became popular. As time went by the price of tea became affordable and then more and more people began to enjoy.

Over time references to low and high tea have been made, it does not have any reference to the status of the people drinking it but more on the height of which the tea is served. So basically the height of the table and nothing to do with upper or middle class.

Low Tea
Afternoon tea is typically served between the hours of two and five in the afternoon and will be served with sandwiches, pasties, scones, jam, butter and biscuits. It would be generally served in the drawing room or sitting room on a low table, hence the word low tea. The tea is normally the loose form and is served in the best china teapot with milk and sugar. If its an important guess the cakes and pastries will be more elaborate. Tea will be served in the formal rooms of the house accompanied by the best linen and accessories.

High Tea
This is slightly different compared to low tea, its normally an early dinner which will be held at around 5pm. The foods accompanying the tea is cold meats, eggs, cakes and sandwiches and is a more formal event. Due to the type of foods it is normally served at the dinning room table and hence the word high tea.

Type of Tea
There are many different types of tea that can be served with afternoon tea. Typically the tea is made with boiled water that will reduce the time to brew the tea. Normally loose tea is used and that gives for a better cup of tea due the higher quality of tea used.