What is afternoon tea?
Afternoon tea is a light meal served in England in the mid-afternoon, usually including tea, finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and small cakes. It is often served on a tiered cake stand.
Afternoon tea is said to have been popularized in the 1840s by Anna Maria Russell, the Duchess of Bedford. She felt hungry between lunch and dinner, which was served late in the evening, and began taking tea and snacks in the afternoon.
The custom spread among the upper classes and became a social occasion.
What is served
Traditional sandwiches include cucumber, egg and cress, smoked salmon and ham. They are often cut into fingers with the crusts removed.
Scones are served with clotted cream and strawberry jam. Cakes and pastries are usually on the top tier.
Today, afternoon tea is a popular treat at hotels such as The Ritz, The Savoy and Fortnum and Mason in London. Many tea rooms across England serve it.
High tea, despite its name, was traditionally a more substantial evening meal eaten by working people. A cream tea is a simpler version, with just scones, jam, cream and tea.