The origin of afternoon tea

Afternoon tea originated in the 17th century. At that time, the upper class in Britain had rich breakfasts and light lunches, while social dinners did not start until around 8 pm. People were accustomed to eating snacks and drinking a cup of tea around 4 pm. Among them was a countess named Anna Maria who knew how to enjoy life. Every afternoon she would send her maid to prepare a pot of black tea and snacks for her. She felt that this feeling was so good that she invited her friends to enjoy it. Soon, afternoon tea became popular among the British upper class.

When black tea was introduced to Europe, because it was a treasure from the far East, "drinking tea" was only an exclusive enjoyment of the upper class. Later, black tea became popular in coffee houses and black tea gardens in London. Coffee houses are places where celebrities gather to communicate and drink tea. Black tea gardens appeared in the suburbs of London, where most British people were introduced to black tea. After the mid-18th century, tea really entered the lives of ordinary people. The fashion popular among British ladies gradually became popular among the people, and the custom of afternoon tea became popular in restaurants and department stores.

The British aristocracy endowed black tea with an elegant image and a rich and gorgeous way of drinking. Afternoon tea is also regarded as the introduction to social interaction and a symbol of fashion. It is the best way for British people to entertain friends and open a salon. When enjoying afternoon tea, British people like to choose the best black tea, paired with Chinese porcelain or silver tea sets, placed on the tea table covered with pure white lace tablecloths, and use a trolley to push out a variety of exquisite refreshments . As for music and flowers, they are even more essential. Classical music is the most beautiful, the music must be melodious and elegant, and the flowers must be fresh and fragrant.

The British favorite afternoon tea time is mostly concentrated between 3:00 and 5:30 pm. In the elegant atmosphere, people can often feel the peace of mind and family warmth, thus Relieve the fatigue of the day.

It is said that in the Victorian era, afternoon tea was not so wonderful. At that time, idle ladies used their free time in the afternoon to talk excitedly and jealously about other people's private lives amid the fragrance of tea. Fortunately, the development of society has freed women from the constraints, and the expansion of living space has made women no longer limited to a small world. The relaxing afternoon tea time has really become an enjoyment.

Today’s women are paying more and more attention to the quality and interest of life. So, it would be great to hold a small afternoon tea party on the weekend afternoon to entertain close friends, which has both atmosphere and face. thing.

Basic etiquette for orthodox British-Victorian afternoon tea

(1) The most orthodox time for afternoon tea is four o’clock in the afternoon (commonly known as Low Tea)

< p>(2) In the Victorian era, men wore tuxedos and women wore robes. Nowadays, at the formal afternoon tea party at Buckingham Palace every year, male guests still wear tuxedos, high hats and umbrellas; women wear daytime dresses and must wear hats.

(3) The hostess usually wears formal clothes and serves the guests personally. Ask the maid to assist only if you have no choice but to show respect for the guests.

Generally speaking, the special teas for afternoon tea are Darjeeling and Earl Gray tea, gunpowder green tea, or Ceylon tea with traditional flavors and pure tea. If you drink milk tea, add milk first and then add tea.

(4) The orthodox British afternoon tea snacks are served on a three-layer porcelain dessert plate. Sandwiches are placed on the first layer, traditional British snack Scone is placed on the second layer, and cakes are placed on the third layer. And fruit tower; drive back to eat from bottom to top. The way to eat Scone is to spread the jam first, then the cream, finish one bite, and then spread the next one.

This is a gentleman-ladylike etiquette. The most important thing is that at that time, tea almost relied on imports from China. The British had unparalleled love and respect for tea. Rigorous attitude. There is even a locked tea cabinet to prevent the tea from being stolen. Whenever tea time comes, the maid is entrusted with the key to open the cabinet and get tea.

Standard equipment for orthodox British Victorian afternoon tea

Porcelain teapot (pot for two, four or six...depending on the number of guests); strainer spoon And a small plate for holding the screening program; a cup set; a sugar bowl; a milk bottle; a three-layer dessert plate; a teaspoon (the correct way to place a teaspoon is at a 45-degree angle to the cup); a seven-inch personal dessert plate; a tea knife ( for spreading butter and jam); a fork for eating cakes; a bowl for tea leaves; a napkin; a pot of flowers; a thermal cover; a wooden tray (for serving tea). In addition, lace hand-embroidered tablecloths or tray mats are very important equipment for Victorian afternoon tea, because they are important home accessories that symbolize the aristocratic life of the Victorian era.