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High Tea vs Afternoon Tea: A Complete Guide

“Yes, that’s it! Said the Hatter with a sigh, it’s always tea time.” – Alice in Wonderland
high tea vs afternoon tea featured
high tea vs afternoon tea featured
“Yes, that’s it! Said the Hatter with a sigh, it’s always tea time.” – Alice in Wonderland

The British like to make fun of what we call things in America. For instance, driveways are not for driving on, and you don’t park your car on a parkway. So here’s a fun article to turn the tables on our proper and sensible British friends. Even more amusingly, it’s about their cherished tradition: tea time!

Fun Fact

Did you know that the British drink approximately 100 million cups of tea a day? That equals more than 36 billion cups per year!

The two world-known British tea customs are High tea and Afternoon tea. Which one sounds fancier? What are their differences? The answer will tickle you. Here’s a complete guide to better understand High tea vs Afternoon tea, with a rich backstory. Get ready with a hot cuppa and enjoy a good read…

high tea vs afternoon tea infographic comparison chart

Brief History of British Tea Culture

Anglophiles everywhere know how much the Brits love their tea, but we often don’t understand all the nuances of their tea-drinking culture.

Tea originated in China something like five thousand ago. Tea was first imported into England through the Dutch East India Company in the early-1600s. At the time, tea was an ultra-luxury item, only available to the wealthy.

Tea Came to Europe First

Portuguese Princess Catherine of Braganza introduced tea to the English court when she married King Charles II in 1662. Turns out, the tea-loving princess was the mother acorn responsible for tea blossoming in England, later spanning throughout the British colonies. Explore this rich backstory here.

Catherine-Braganza-High tea vs afternoon tea

Back then, tea was sipped by the upper crust (who preferred crustless sandwiches, more on this later). In early 18th century England, Chinese teacups were the status symbol and often featured in portraits.

tea was for the wealthy-early 1700s england

In 1706, Thomas Twining began what would become one of the most iconic tea businesses in the West. Twining’s tea shop was the first to welcome women shoppers in London. This savvy visionary move greatly boosted tea sales. By the early 1800s, tea was consumed by the masses, who were utterly consumed with it.

tea phrency-late 1700s-england

Tea was now flowing freely around Britain, and traditions followed. Many believe that Anna Maria Russell, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, started the custom of Afternoon tea around 1840. She requested a tea service with light snacks one afternoon. Soon, she invited her other posh peeps to join her, and the tradition of Afternoon tea was born.

afternoon tea-victorian era england-british tea culture in 1800s

As its popularity grew, Afternoon tea became a way to show off one’s status. Luxury hotels in London soon began offering exquisite Afternoon tea services. Ladies flocked in, fashioning glorious gowns, hats, white gloves, and fabulous fineries. A scene to be seen.

afternoon tea in the hotels of london-victorian era

What is Afternoon Tea?

Afternoon tea is sometimes referred to as “low tea.” Not low as in “low class.” This is because tea was traditionally served from a side table (low table) in the sitting room. Whereas the dining room table is the high table. The tea is served between 3 to 4 pm between lunch and dinner.

afternoon tea-a scene to be scene-victorian era-british tea culture

Proper Etiquette

Because Afternoon tea originated with the upper class, its etiquette is of utmost importance. For example,

  1. Contrary to what you may think, sticking your pinky out while sipping is improper. It makes you look pretentious and unrefined.
  2. Make sure you place your napkin in your lap.
  3. Stir gently and prevent your teacup from loud clinking.

english tea pot pouring tea with a strainer

Fun Fact

When drinking tea with a proper Brit, remember this “bottoms up, pinkies down.”

Why do so many people think hoity-toities drink tea with their pinky out? When tea was first imported from China to Europe, the Chinese teacups that came with it had no handles. So they were hot to touch. To avoid burn, you held the cup with as few fingers as possible naturally, extending your pinky. As teacups with handles became available, it was no longer sensible to hold up the pinky. But the idea of sticking your pinky up got stuck and prevailed in the collective mind.

chinese teacups-blue-and-white-teacup without handles-english family portrait of 3 with teacups

Afternoon Tea Refreshments

Afternoon tea came with light snacks and refreshments on a three-tiered serving stand known as a curate. Each tier holds its course, and guests sample from the bottom to the top.

three tier curate afternoon tea-scones-snacks-sweets-afternoon tea-English tea service

The bottom plate holds finger sandwiches, including salmon and cream cheese, watercress and egg, cucumber, or sometimes chicken. The crusts are cut off (here’s what we talked about), and the sandwiches sliced into either triangles or rectangles, then artfully arranged.

The second tier of the curate holds scones. For clarity, British and American scones are quite different. The British scones are like our biscuits but denser. They’re served with clotted cream, a rich, thick dairy delight made with raw milk, and (usually) strawberry jam.

Fun Fact

Which comes first on a scone: cream or jam? Take your cue from the Queen: “Jam first, always.” And keep your pinky down.

Here in America, “Who’s on First” is a famous phrase. For the English, it’s “What’s On First”  Here’s a delightful Twitter exchange on this very topic.

whats on first-jam or clotted cream on a scone-apology on twitter-english tea culture
A Scone Showdown

The top and final tier of the curate contains sweets. Some offerings include:

  • Victoria sponge,
  • Eclairs,
  • Battenberg cake,
  • Macarons, and
  • Madeleines.

The general rule is that the earlier in the afternoon you serve tea, the lighter the snacks.

afternoon tea features lighter snacks-british tea culture

Other Types of Afternoon Tea

There are even different types of afternoon tea!

  • Cream tea: the most basic tea service with only scones, clotted cream, and jam. Other treats are not included.
  • Strawberry tea: add fresh strawberries to the tea service. Notice the British are mad for strawberries.
  • Light tea: adds more sweets to the Cream tea service.
  • Full tea: the whole caboodle of curate treats: tea sandwiches and other savory snacks, scones with cream and jam, and sweets.
  • Royal tea: adds a glass of celebratory champagne.

royal tea-afternoon tea with champagne-british tea culture

What Is High Tea?

Surprisingly, High tea wasn’t created by the high class, nor does it mean fancier. Instead, the term High tea refers to the high table (dining table) where tea is served, compared to the low table used in Afternoon tea.

Fun Fact

If someone in England invites you to tea, it means they expect you to show up at 5pm for a meal.

High tea began with the lower class (here’s where we get to poke fun with their naming convention). During the Victorian Era, factory workers got short tea breaks during work hours. Their time for an unhurried cuppa came when they got home around 5 pm. Hungry after a long workday, tea would be served with hearty foods. This practice became High tea.

factory workers taking tea break-victorian era-british tea culture

What time is High tea?

The British still serve High tea between 5 and 7 pm.

High tea menu

Interestingly, traditional High tea is sometimes called “Meat tea,” consisting of much heartier fare. The tea menu includes:

  • Steak and kidney pie: a flaky crust with beef chuck and, yes, beef kidneys
  • Fish pie: poached fish topped with mashed potatoes and cheese
  • Yorkshire pudding: a thin batter cooked in a hot oven until they rise. Then filled with stew, vegetables, or gravy.
  • Crumpets: griddle cakes cooked on one side and served with butter, as well as jam, honey, golden syrup, or lemon curd. (English Muffin)
  • Cheeses such as Red Leicester, Cheddar (directly from the caves near Bristol), or if you’re feeling adventurous, Stinking Bishop. Served with bread and butter.
  • Bangers and mash: also known as sausage and mashed potatoes.

Because of the origins of High tea, formalities are much more relaxed and less about status. High tea is about inviting friends to enjoy pots of tea with comfort foods.

high tea-comfort foods-meat pies-cheese

Types of Tea for Afternoon and High Tea

Because of the popularity of tea, it’s easy to overlook the fact that there are hundreds of types of teas, tinctures, and blends on the market. However, all teas are made from the Camellia Sinensis plant, producing all traditional six tea types.

How and when the plant is harvested makes the difference between White tea, Yellow tea (or Scented tea), Green tea, Black tea, and Pu erh tea (or Puer). In England, the most popular type is Black tea. This gorgeous crimson-colored tea comes with an equally fascinating origin story.

Other types of Black tea include:

  • Darjeeling
  • Ceylon
  • Assam
  • Earl Gray

Oolong tea is also quite popular for discerning drinkers. Green teas and herbal teas are used as well.

loose tea with black tea-teapot-afternoon tea service

How to Properly Steep Tea

Whether you host a High tea or an Afternoon Tea Party, serving tea is non-negotiable. As any Brit will tell you, how you prepare your cuppa is both important and debatable. As a melting-teapot-drinker, I enjoy the Chinese way of drinking tea (pure) and Western ways (chai or milk and honey). Personal preferences aside, I’ve found certain essential steps when it comes to preparing a proper cuppa. Here I’d like to share with you my method. (Yes, I’m up for a spirited debate later when we launch our virtual tea party event!)

Play Video about tea tasting gong fu cha

Proper Chinese tea brewing is at the height of artistry, beauty, and enjoyment.

10 Steps To Make Good Black Tea 

  1. Always start with loose leaf tea, not tea bags, please
  2. Next, fill the kettle and bring the water to a full boil
  3. Pour a small amount of boiling water into an empty personal-sized teapot
  4. Swirl it around to warm the teapot, then pour it out into the sink
  5. Add loose tea into the teapot. One heaping teaspoon (or a pinch) of leaves
  6. Pour about 1/2 cup of boiling water into the teapot (this step cleanses and “awakens” the tea leaves)
  7. Swirl the teapot gently for a few seconds, then pour this “first rinse” into a mug (more on this in a moment)
  8. Now pour boiling water into the teapot to make your first brew
  9. Let the tea steep for 3 to 4 minutes. Don’t over-steep as it interferes with the flavor
  10. Using a strainer, pour out the tea through the strainer into your teacup (Black tea is durable for multiple steeps)

waterfall-tea orgin-tea master tasting tea

Bonus: Prepare yourself for this amazing experience – “To be one with tea.” Remember the “first rinse” in the mug?  While the tea steeps, pick up the mug and take a moment to quietly reflect on the journey of tea. How Camellia Sinensis comes to you from mountain to mug. Smell, inhale and appreciate the scent and delight to come. Awaken your senses and prepare to be one with tea.

be one with tea

Frequently Asked Tea Facts

Tea is such an integral part of British culture that tea extends to sporting events. For example, halfway through a cricket match, the game stops to serve tea. Cricket tea is very similar to afternoon tea, in which tea is drunk, finger sandwiches consumed, and scones slathered in clotted cream and jam.

Another opportunity for the British to drink tea is “elevenses.” And no, it’s not just for hobbits in the shire! As the name suggests, this is a late morning snack served around 11 am. Brits enjoy a cuppa and a scone before returning to their day.

scones and tea-elevenses-british tea culture

Host Your High Tea or Afternoon Tea Party

For many cultures around the world, tea isn’t simply a beverage. It’s a way of life and an opportunity to gather with friends, family, and loved ones. You can use any occasion to host either a high tea or afternoon tea and enjoy a hot beverage and tasty snacks.

If your loved ones are far away, learn how to host a virtual tea party, full Zoom instructions included: from setup to meetup! Cheers to your cuppa!

bottoms up pinkies down

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