You may have seen several afternoon tea posts on my blog, but do you know what it is?
*This post is sponsored by BuyAGift.com – please support their Teamoji campaign for afternoon tea week, read on to find out more!*
What is afternoon tea?!
This typically British institution is a light meal, taken in the afternoon between 3:30 and 5pm. Oh and naturally it includes tea – that very British drink. As it’s afternoon tea week from 12th-18th August 2019 I thought I would explain a bit more on what it is:
History of afternoon tea
The Duchess of Bedford is widely credited to have transformed afternoon tea into the late-afternoon meal that we enjoy today. It originated in the 1840s among the wealthy social classes in England. By the nineteenth century it had developed into its current form and was observed by both the upper and middle classes. Today the ‘formal’ afternoon tea is usually taken as part of a special occasion – commonly in a hotel (although sometimes on a bus!)
What’s included in an afternoon tea?
Tea
- The average Brit consumes 3 cups of tea a day and 44% drink tea between 2pm and 4pm!
- Yorkshire and Humberside drink the most tea, closely followed by the Welsh.
- The most cups drunk per person is in Liverpool, with the average person drinking 1,460 a year! Edinburgh leads the way for fruit tea, with 438 per person per year.
My friends enjoying their tea and champagne at the Wallace Collection restaurant
So that tea is included should come as no surprise! Everyone knows the British obsession with tea, usually black tea served with milk. In an afternoon tea you may get a selection of different teas that you can choose from, such as Earl Grey, English Breakfast (the black tea) or the more unusual Oolong and other specialties. This will be served from a tea pot into a cup and saucer – very classy! Sometimes non-tea options are included such as hot chocolate or even green tea, coffee or decaf versions.
Teamoji campaign
Champagne!
Some afternoon teas you can enjoy with a glass of champagne too, very fancy!
Savoury
Mini smoked salmon bagel
This was afternoon tea for four people, not all for me!
All afternoon teas have delicate versions of savoury foods. These might be cucumber sandwiches, smoked salmon sandwiches with the crusts cut off, or cut into small fingers; or could include other savoury items such as mini quiches. The order that you are meant to eat the afternoon tea starts with these delicate savoury treats, before you move on to the sweet treats… Afternoon tea usually comes on a cake stand where the savoury is at the bottom, so you work your way from bottom to top.
Another example of supreme sandwich stacking
Sweet
Sweet treats lined up on the B-Bakery bus tour
The sweet treats are always amazing! Think macarons, mini cupcakes, lemon or other fruit tarts, chocolate eclairs or pate des fruits. All of the skills of the pastry section are loving poured into this section and it’s always divine.
Yummy macarons and cakes in the afternoon tea at Harrods
There should be one of each of the treats (whether savoury or sweet) so that everyone gets to try them. But you can swap if you don’t like something – that’s why I’d always recommend bringing a friend to share with!
Scones
A British classic – the scone with clotted cream
It would not be an afternoon tea without scones, served with clotted cream and jam… Whilst I won’t be sharing a preference for cream or jam first I do recommend that you try the indulgent clotted cream – so good!
Non traditional teas
There are plenty of ways to mix up the traditional afternoon tea – from the location on an old route master bus, to inside a museum; to themes such as Midsummer Night’s Dream, Gin Cocktails or just pure chocolate; to those catering for a particular set of people – e.g. the ones tailored for men (think like sliders & whisky than fancy sandwiches and champagne!). So there is pretty much one to suit anyone, even those with food restrictions.
How about tea on a London bus?(and it drives around Central London!)
What afternoon tea would you pick? Tell me in the comments below!
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Heather says
Your afternoon tea on a bus concept is something that I absolutely must try if ever I am in London.
Katie Hughes says
It’s definitely something I would recommend – you feel so fancy eating all the tasty food whilst you go by other buses lol!
Kellyn says
Afternoon tea is the best thing that happened to human-kind. I have a whole page dedicated to afternoon tea reviews on my blog. Love your photos. I’m so ready to try the afternoon tea bus in London.
Katie Hughes says
Ooh which ones would you recommend Kellyn?!
Nerissa says
I love afternoon teas so much! Especially the sweets. I’ve seen those buses around London, I really want to go try it! Great post.
Katie Hughes says
Thanks Nerissa! I hope you get to try it!
Benie says
yummy. I am craving. This afternoon tea culture is very string in South Asia as well 🙂
Katie Hughes says
I will need to check it out then! Thanks for the tip Benie!
Rajlakshmi says
Wow look at all the food. It looks so delicous. A lot of places in Sydney offer afternoon tea deals. The setting looks similar.
I am a huge fan of tea… my current favorite is blue tea.
Katie Hughes says
I’ve never heard of blue tea ?
ispyprettyplaces says
From one Brit to another, I have to say I love an afternoon tea. As an expat I’ve indulged in the occasion at various hotels, most recently at the Raffles hotel in Singapore. Loved the little history background and fun facts about British tea drinkers! I’m married to a teesider and he certainly has his fair share of teas per day!
Katie Hughes says
Does it make me less British to say that I prefer coffee?! ?
Raquel says
I absolutely love everything about Afternoon Tea: the scones, the champagne, the tea, the usual delicate presentation of the food and tea… it is indeed a special event that I love cherishing with my closest girlfriends. Thank you for sharing such a sweet post and the history behind it! 🙂
Katie Hughes says
Thanks Raquel – I love it all too!
Julz says
I love your post… and afternoon tea! I’ll never forget the first time I went to the Savoy and cucumber sandwiches and all those fancy cakes – must 20 years ago and I still see it in front of me. I had it planned for my london trip but was sick and feeling a bit blah. Now that I can have Champagne with my cakes and have to be top form 😀
Katie Hughes says
I like to indulge with some fizz too Julz (or even some gin!)
Carmy @ carmyy.com says
I’ve always wanted to go for an afternoon tea! I love tea and I love little treats haha I just feel like it combines the best of both worlds for me! I’ll definitely have to read about afternoon tea on a bus though!
Katie Hughes says
It was a lot of fun – I’d highly recommend it Carmy!
Salome says
I am not a big tea drinker but it looks like this is a great experience. I would go there just for the sweets. Everything looks so yummy !!!
Katie Hughes says
Yes me too Salome – I usually prefer coffee
Shannon | Our Taste of Travel says
Hungry now! I don’t think afternoon tea is the same without bubbles, so for me it’s got to be a fizzy tea 🙂 love the Wallace collection, an absolute classic and not overpriced either.
Katie Hughes says
It’s a great choice Shannon!
Gilda Baxter says
I love afternoon tea and have tried quite a few. My sister bought me afternoon tea at Harrods for my birthday a few years ago, it was delicious. I would love to try the one on the bus.
Really enjoyed this post and all the extra info you have provided.