Afternoon tea and high tea, two very British traditions with two very different meanings. As their names suggest, both customs consist of tea coupled with a meal, however, these practices are steeped in different parts of British history and have some key differences to keep in mind if you're planning on visiting the UK to partake in this Great British pastime.
What is afternoon tea?
Afternoon tea has roots dating back to the early 19th century, emerging as a social custom among the upper classes. Initially this tea time tradition was introduced by (a peckish) Anna, the Duchess of Bedford, who sought some light refreshment to tide her over between lunch and her late evening meal. Traditionally served around 3 or 4pm, afternoon tea consists of a selection of dainty sandwiches and pastries, served with a pot of hot tea.
In the Edwardian period this practice was enjoyed amongst friends in grand hotels with a suitable amount of chit-chat and gossip. Today, afternoon tea is still enjoyed but more widely and with the addition of more indulgent tea time treats like freshly baked scones and of course hand-iced cookies.
What is high tea?
High tea in the UK dates back to the late 19th century. Traditionally, high tea was served around 5pm onward to families after a long day of work. Unlike afternoon teas’ dainty finger sandwiches and delicate pastries, high tea was a heartier affair and involved a meal of meat or fish, bread and vegetables served with a pot of tea.
The addition of the word ‘high’ to the phrase ‘high tea’ is believed to be indicative of the way in which the meal was served, at the table on high back dining chairs. Today, high tea may resemble your evening meal. In fact, in the UK many families still use the term, dropping the word ‘high’ to refer to their evening meal, dinner or supper as ‘tea’.
Where is the best afternoon tea in London?
If you’re planning a trip to London this year make sure to experience an afternoon tea treat for yourself. Here at Biscuiteers, we believe there is no better combination than tea and biscuits (or cookies as you know them!) which is why we’ve introduced our very own Afternoon Tea with a twist.
A quintessentially British affair, our London Afternoon Tea perfectly pairs a host of traditional tea-time treats with our iconic biscuits, hand-iced right here in London. And here is the twist, you can now ice your own biscuit creations whilst sipping on something sparkling when you add on a DIY icing experience to your booking. Find us in Notting Hill.
FAQs
What is the main difference between afternoon tea and high tea?
Although both practices involve drinking tea with your meal, high tea traditionally involves a more substantial meal of meat, potatoes and vegetables eaten after work. Whereas afternoon tea includes a selection of smaller finger sandwiches, delicate patisserie treats and scones.
What is cream tea?
Cream tea is a British tradition often associated with the West Country of England, i.e. Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset. It is typically enjoyed in the afternoon as a snack consisting of scones, clotted cream, strawberry jam and tea.
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