If you're a tea drinker, you have most likely enjoyed the light, delicate flavor of English breakfast tea. But, have you ever had the pleasure of taking English afternoon tea?
English afternoon tea is a tradition in Great Britain that dates back to the 1840s. At that time there were specific rites and routines of "taking tea", and several of those evolved into the ritual known as English afternoon tea.
The very roots of tea drinking in England go even deeper, to the late 1650s. Then, the dry loose tealeaves were a precious import that proved to be too expensive for everyday peasants. Afternoon tea became a common beverage of the aristocracy and royal families. Affluent gentlemen would meet in London coffee houses, while the ladies would purchase small amounts of loose tealeaves and share the brew with friends and family at home. The social popularity of afternoon tea has been attributed to a woman by the name of Anna, Duchess of Bedford. This prominent gentlewoman regularly invited friends and acquaintances to afternoon tea. The practice caught on, and soon women in the growing middle class began to mimic the rich. Afternoon tea became an economical means of entertaining guests without having to exert too much effort or spend too much money.
The ships that imported teas from far away destinations like China and Japan also brought such English afternoon tea luxuries as teapots, tea bowls and fancy pots for storage. Wealthy families would purchase fine porcelains and accessories, and began to store larger quantities of tea in their kitchen cupboards and pantries. Eventually, tea became a staple in well-to-do homes, and was served as refreshment to visitors. And so began the tradition now known as English afternoon tea.
No proper English afternoon tea service is complete without the dainty finger foods. Crustless sandwiches of smoked salmon, cucumber, mustard cress and egg are offered, along with scones, cakes and pastries. English afternoon tea remains a popular way to entertain friends, family, neighbors and business acquaintances.
It's been more than three hundred years since those afternoons when fine ladies would take tea with the Duchess of Bedford. The custom, however, has changed very little. Sipping English afternoon tea from a fine porcelain teacup can make anyone feel like British aristocracy.
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