There is a saying in England, "When the afternoon bell strikes four, everything in the world stops for tea." In fact, the aristocratic English afternoon tea originated as a refreshment for rural laborers to take a break from work. Another way of putting it is that the socializing trend of afternoon tea was started by Queen Bev VII of England during the Victorian era, and it became fashionable among the aristocracy at that time. So, drinking English afternoon tea way, rich and frugal, whether the common people class or the aristocrats, all enjoy this moment.

Traditional English afternoon tea starts at 4:30 pm, which is also known as Low Tea, while modern afternoon tea is served between 3 and 5 pm.

In the Victorian era, the traditional English tea, the dress code is also quite strict, women will wear silk, lace dresses, wearing a hat; men wear black tuxedo, with a high hat and umbrella. Such dress, Buckingham Palace is still used to date. And tablecloths, decorations also have to pay attention to a complete set of English afternoon tea, the light vessels include a sugar jar, milk cups, seven-inch personal snack plate, snack rack snack plate, ceramic teapot, cups and sets, put the tea residue of the small bowl, all for the white bottom of the depiction of porcelain. A teapot warmer, tea strainer spoon and small saucer for the strainer, teaspoon, butter knife, cake fork, and two or three tier snack stand are also essential.

The cups are arranged with the teacups on top of the saucer, with the lugs to the right. The teaspoon is placed under the lugs at a 45-degree angle to the teacup, or across the top of the teacup for a French afternoon tea. Do not put your fingers through the lugs or hold the cup by its entire body; do not hold the cup in one hand and the food in the other. If the tea drinker is sitting at a low table or coffee table, he or she should pick up the plate and hold the cup in the other hand; if the table height is higher, he or she can pick up the cup directly.

The tea cups, sugar pots and milk jugs needed for afternoon tea have to be ready before the guests come to the door. The teapot is brought to the table after the guests arrive and are seated, and the most important thing to remember is that the tea cups must be warmed first.

Tea

In the UK, when you have afternoon tea, you will generally choose the type of tea first, and then choose the strength, which is divided into four levels, the higher the number, the higher the strength. And the special tea for afternoon tea is Darjeeling, Earl Grey, Gunpowder Green Tea, Ceylon Black Tea and other traditional flavors.

The lower the latitude of the origin, the higher the concentration of the tea produced. Assam has a concentration of three, while rose has a concentration of one. The average Briton will wake up in the morning to drink strong tea, Assam, Kenya tea smells strong, is the first choice of tea in the morning. Teapot to find insulation, heat transfer good ceramic teapot, the best pot body should also be wide enough, tea night to have enough stretching space.

Tea time

The three-tiered rack of snacks is usually arranged according to taste, from bottom to top, from light to strong, savory and then sweet order to eat. The sweeter the muffins and cakes, the higher up the shelf they go, and the order from the bottom is usually sandwiches, English muffins, fruit tarts, and cakes. Caviar, raisins, croissants, etc. are sometimes added according to guest preferences.

The correct way to eat an English muffin scone is to cut it with a knife, but not to the bottom, so that the knife does not hit the disk to make a sound, and then tear it open with your hands, spread the jam first, and then wipe the cream, and then finish it with a bite of it, and then smear it with the jam and cream for the next bite to be eaten. A proper English muffin is served warm and fluffy, with clotted cream, which is a cross between butter and whipped cream, for a multi-flavored texture.

Delicate and refreshing Madeleine cakes, rich and flavorful cheesecakes, heavy cream cookies, and lasagna pies are all perfect for afternoon tea.

Other small details

1. When organizing a tea party, invitations are usually sent down.

2, the sugar prepared for afternoon tea must be square sugar.

3, if you drink milk tea, add milk before adding tea.

4, the traditional afternoon tea must also include lace hand-embroidered tablecloths decorated with beadwork, is a symbol of power and nobility of the important home accessories, the center of the table to have a pot of fresh flowers, flowers are not too big.

5, guests before the mouth of the cloth should be folded three folds, the mouth of the cloth placed on the size of a fresh flower.

6, the hostess will usually receive guests personally to express the importance of guests, the need to heat the tea before ringing the bell to ask the maid to enter to help.