After my post yesterday, a few of you explored My English Tea Party's website and asked me about the difference between afternoon tea and high tea. A proper answer requires a little background, so here is a short and sweet write up:
Although tea was discovered in China around 2700 BC , afternoon tea is an English institution, accompanied by sandwiches, scones or cake.
By the 17th century, Dutch traders brought tea from Asia to Europe, where it rapidly gained popularity. When the Dutch Infanta Catherine Braganza married King Charles II in 1662, she brought with her to England a chest of tea. It immediately became the beverage of choice in English high society, replacing ale as the national drink.
Although tea was discovered in China around 2700 BC , afternoon tea is an English institution, accompanied by sandwiches, scones or cake.
By the 17th century, Dutch traders brought tea from Asia to Europe, where it rapidly gained popularity. When the Dutch Infanta Catherine Braganza married King Charles II in 1662, she brought with her to England a chest of tea. It immediately became the beverage of choice in English high society, replacing ale as the national drink.
How Afternoon Tea Began
Tea consumption increased dramatically during the early 19th century and it is around this time that Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford is said to have complained of "having that sinking feeling" during the late afternoon. At the time it was usual for people to take only two main meals a day, breakfast, and dinner at around 8 o'clock in the evening. The solution for the Duchess was a pot a tea and a light snack, taken privately in her boudoir during the afternoon.
Later friends were invited to join her in her rooms at Woburn Abbey and this summer practice proved so popular that the Duchess continued it when she returned to London, sending cards to her friends asking them to join her for "tea and a walking the fields." Other social hostesses quickly picked up on the idea and the practice became respectable enough to move it into the drawing room. Before long all of fashionable society was sipping tea and nibbling sandwiches in the middle of the afternoon.
Later friends were invited to join her in her rooms at Woburn Abbey and this summer practice proved so popular that the Duchess continued it when she returned to London, sending cards to her friends asking them to join her for "tea and a walking the fields." Other social hostesses quickly picked up on the idea and the practice became respectable enough to move it into the drawing room. Before long all of fashionable society was sipping tea and nibbling sandwiches in the middle of the afternoon.
The Difference With High Tea
Traditionally, the upper classes would serve a low' or afternoon' tea around four o'clock, while the middle and lower classes would have a more substantial high' tea later in the day, at five or six o'clock, in place of a late dinner. The names derive from the height of the tables on which the meals are served, high tea being served at the dinner table.
Today
Today, afternoon tea and high tea is mostly a distinction that refers to the setup of your event, and the foods you serve. Whichever you prefer, My English Tea Party can help you create an authentic English tea experience.
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