The History of Afternoon Tea, a Brew-tiful Social Tradition

Few customs evoke the charm and elegance of English culture quite like afternoon tea. What began as the whim of a hungry 19th century noblewoman has grown into a cherished social occasion observed by millions around the world, providing a lively setting for people to come together and relax with new friends and old.

Let’s take a look at the origins, history and evolution of afternoon tea.

A posh foundation

While tea drinking itself originated in China thousands of years ago, the British fascination with tea began in the 17th century, when Portuguese and Dutch traders began importing it to England. It quickly became popular with the upper classes, replacing coffee as the beverage of choice.

The English tradition of regular afternoon tea dates back to the 19th century. The concept originated in 1840 with Anna, Duchess of York, whose noon lunches and fashionably late 8 pm dinners left a long time between meals. She would grow hungry around 4 pm and ask that a tray of tea, cake, bread and butter be brought to her room. She liked the habit so much she soon asked friends to join her, hosting them in the parlor.

The trend quickly caught on. By the 1880s, afternoon tea had become a fashionable staple of England’s upper class. High society women would take turns hosting in their drawing rooms between 4 and 5 pm, wearing hats, gloves and long gowns. Tea from India and Ceylon was served in silver teapots and bone china cups, and guests snacked on finger foods like cucumber sandwiches and pastries. Queen Victoria herself helped popularize the tradition by hosting grand tea parties in Buckingham Palace and at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.

The trickle down

As tea grew more affordable in the late 19th century, the daily afternoon ritual was adopted by the expanding British middle class and eventually spread to America. During the Roaring Twenties, it was common for afternoon tea to include music – Gatsbyesque garden parties featuring full orchestras were not uncommon for the well-to-do. Flappers and other fashionable “Bright Young Things” attended hotel tea dances.

Enduringly English

Over the decades, afternoon tea has remained an important English tradition, evolving to suit the tastes of different generations and echelons of society.

During World War II, Winston Churchill often held strategy sessions with his military commanders over afternoon tea, making the tradition a symbol of British resilience. For the British working class, afternoon tea was and is enjoyed as an occasional indulgence at the end of the workday or an opportunity to celebrate special events like birthdays, bridal showers and holidays.

The British Royal Family still hosts grand tea parties at Buckingham Palace, inviting a guest list of thousands of community leaders and notable figures from England and around the world. King Charles III considers his 5 pm afternoon tea a “non-negotiable” part of his daily routine, preferring to drink Darjeeling tea with fruit tarts served as dessert.

Modern takes

The popularity of afternoon tea has spread across the globe, often incorporating influences from different cultures along the way. One can now enjoy formal afternoon tea at the Ritz Hotel in London, visit tea houses in Hong Kong that offer dim sum alongside scones, or attend an iced tea garden party in Savannah, Georgia. While the exact details may vary from region to region, the social tradition of meeting friends for tea continues to have universal appeal. Today, the tradition has lots of variations.

Traditional afternoon tea

This is a classic selection of tea, sandwiches, scones and pastries, served on a tiered stand.

Cream tea

While afternoon tea features a variety of treats and snacks, this version simplifies things by focusing on a variety of scones with clotted cream and a selection of jams.

High tea

Originally, “high tea” referred to a hearty evening meal of meat, bread and tea for the working and middle classes. It was considered distinct from “low tea” because this larger meal was served at a higher table than the coffee table used for the lighter fare of low tea. Nowadays, “high tea” usually refers to a full meal centered around tea, while “low tea” refers to the more traditional afternoon tea. In Britain, it’s considered a faux pas to confuse the two.

Champagne tea

Commonly offered as an option at English hotels, this variation adds a glass of champagne alongside guests’ tea and is usually a celebration of special occasions.

Royal afternoon tea

As one might guess, this is an opulent affair enjoyed by the British monarchy and aristocracy, featuring champagne and extravagant delicacies.

The tradition continues

At the heart of any afternoon tea is, of course, the tea itself. Today there are countless types of tea available, but these are among the most commonly served at afternoon tea.

Earl Grey

Possibly the most popular kind of tea in England, Earl Grey is a blend of black teas infused with bergamot oil. The name comes from Charles the Second Earl Grey, who served as Prime Minister from 1830-1834 and oversaw the abolition of British slavery. No one’s quite sure why the tea is named after him; one story is that he was gifted the recipe by a Chinese man he saved from drowning, while another holds that his family created the mix of flavors to cover the alkaline taste of tap water in their Northumberland home.

Darjeeling

Known as “the champagne of teas,” Darjeeling has a delicate, astringent flavor with hints of almond and wildflower. It’s made from camellia sinensis, an evergreen shrub, and takes its name from the Darjeeling district in West Bengal, India.

Assam

Another tea with Indian roots, Assam has a robust, malty flavor that pairs well with milk or cream.

Lapsang Souchong

This Chinese tea has a uniquely smoky aroma and taste that comes from being fired over smoky pine needles.

Almost as important as the tea are the snacks. Traditionally, finger sandwiches are served alongside a variety of scones, cakes and pastries. Some of the most popular finger sandwiches include:

• Cucumber (widely considered the “original” afternoon tea finger sandwich; it was invented by British colonists in India seeking a refreshing snack)
• Smoked salmon with cream cheese
• Ham and mustard
• Egg mayonnaise with watercress
• Coronation chicken (the recipe was created in 1953 to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II)

Classic afternoon tea etiquette is still maintained by many upper-class and traditionalist practitioners. Here are some tips for a “proper” afternoon tea experience:

• Only the host or a designated guest should ever pour the tea.
• Contrary to popular belief, one should not raise one’s pinky while sipping tea – it’s considered snobbish. Instead, pinch the handle between your thumb and index finger, support it with your middle finger, and curl your ring and pinky fingers inward.
• Scones are traditionally split by hand, not with a knife, and topped with clotted cream and jam. Whether or not the cream or the jam should be applied first remains a matter of much dispute.
• Conversation should stick to lighthearted topics and avoid controversial topics (such as the cream/jam debate).

Finally, just in case you needed another reason to enjoy afternoon tea, here are a few health benefits of drinking tea:

• Black tea and green tea both contain flavonoids that help reduce cholesterol, improve circulation and lower blood pressure.
• The compounds and antioxidants naturally present in green tea may help slow cognitive decline and reduce inflammation.
• Herbal teas offer a variety of benefits, including boosting the immune system and promoting better sleep.

A ritual steeped in socializing

Today, most afternoon tea gatherings have lost their upper-class rigidity – nobody will judge you for sipping tea with your pinky out or using a knife to slice open a scone – but the concept of meeting friends for “a cuppa” remains a popular way to socialize. Retirement lets us spend more time connecting with friends and creating meaningful memories.

Find a Holiday near you and join us for a relaxing afternoon of conversation, laughter and lots of tea. We’d love to meet you.