If there is an English Breakfast tea, there is also an English Afternoon tea. This idea is common to all Englishmen. But for those who do not know the origin of the English Afternoon tea, this article provide will provide a brief introduction.
The introduction of the English afternoon tea dates back to the 1840s. The English afternoon tea actually evolved from the rituals and routines of tea drinking that took place in Britain at that time.
However, the majority of the English people began drinking tea in the late 1650s. As the dry loose leaves were unaffordable, the English afternoon tea emerged as the common drink of the royal families and the aristocracy. Aside from that the well-off gentlemen drank teas in several coffee houses in London and the aristocratic ladies bought very little amounts of loose tea leaf and then drank the brew at home with their friends and families.
It is as well noted for the English afternoon tea that the ships that bought the English afternoon tea from China and Japan to Europe also brought in some of the English afternoon tea pots, tea bowls, and neat cute jars for the English afternoon tea storage. As such, those tea porcelains and accessories caught the attention of most of the rich families who then horded the crockery, mostly in the kitchen or dining room cupboards.
So when did all this English afternoon tea drinking occur?
The afternoon tea beverage then became one of the most popular customs of England. The afternoon tea is traditionally taken between 3 to 5 pm. It is believed that the ceremony on the English afternoon tea started when Anna, the Duches of Bedford, invited her friends for some tea refreshments. Many other people, especially the growing middle class, began to mimic the rich and found that the English afternoon tea was an affordable way of entertaining friends without going to too much work or spending too much money.
So from then on, the English afternoon tea was coupled with small tea time treats such as crustless sandwiches, hot buttered toast and scones, little pastries, and a cake or two. Until now, the tradition of English afternoon tea has continued and the English afternoon teas is recognized as the ideal way to entertain neighbors, friends, and even business acquaintances. It is noted that the English afternoon tea practices of today still enjoy same elegant and cozy atmosphere that was experienced by the English in the early days of the English afternoon tea drinking.
Further information on topics such as afternoon teas can be found on sites such as The Food and Beverage Blog. Topics range from pizza ovens to how to make ice cream.