For anyone who has ever had a tea ceremony, there is no better way to relax than with a cup of tea. If you are a great fan of tea, you must be familiar with the way it is served and even its connection to traditions. Have you ever heard of or attended an afternoon tea?
What is Afternoon Tea?
Afternoon tea is a unique tea tradition enjoyed by the British in the afternoon. It’s a series of cold and hot treats, often served in a specific order, and is also known as “afternoon tea” or “high tea” in other countries.
Afternoon tea is an English tradition in which tea is served in the afternoon, usually in the company of others. It is the British name for the elaborate social tête- -tête that occurs in the late afternoon after lunch or dinner, often followed by a glass or two of wine or other spirits. It might take place in the drawing room or a conservatory or outdoors on the patio, under the shade of an awning. Those who have a patio and want to start an afternoon tea ritual should certainly look into options for metal awnings in Edmonton (or elsewhere) to have protection from the elements during this peaceful time.
You need shade and peace so that while you drink your tea, you can talk to the person sitting across from you and make small talk. English afternoon tea is such a nice tradition because it allows you to feel like you are in a different era. English afternoon tea is just what you need to keep you warm in the winter. It is a civilized way to have an elegant time with a friend in the summer.
Traditionally, afternoon tea is served in the afternoon, between 2:30 pm and 4:00 p.m. Tea is usually served in a different format than that of a typical breakfast: the traditional format consists of a tea tray having a wide selection of teas (some may include milk and lemon), along with a variety of cakes, scones, individually wrapped biscuits, and pastries.
Must Haves for the Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea is the perfect end to a long day. After dinner, a nice cup of tea and some finger sandwiches will put you in the right mood to wind down and relax in comfort. However, while afternoon tea is all about fancy food, some essentials are a must-have.
What is the type of tea that is served during afternoon tea?
You may be asking yourself this question after seeing the many choices available for afternoon tea. Apart from the ones with distinct aromas, there may be options to choose from based on the benefits you could reap from them. The most valued varieties sold by the best loose tea brand are generally brewed in specific ways to bring out their distinct flavours.
Keep in mind that tea preference often tends to be influenced by personal taste preferences as well as cultural and regional factors. While for some people afternoon tea might be synonymous with black tea, often served with milk and accompanied by scones and jam, others might prefer enjoying organic tea with sponge or fruit cakes. It is worth noting that Black Tea, Green Tea, White Tea, Oolong Tea, Pu-Erh Tea, and Red Tea are all popular varieties out there, as each of them have their own distinct taste.
There are also three main courses of food served during the afternoon tea. These are:
- Savoury Course – This course is served with tea sandwiches. Tea sandwiches are popular tea-time recipes that are often served after a meal. They are also a favourite of gourmet tea lovers. The recipe for tea sandwiches is simple: take a slice of toast, spread with a slice of softened cheese, add a slice of fruit, and then garnish it with a slice of lemon.
- Scones Course – Many people like to have a relaxing time out at a tea party. No one likes to have to eat a lot of the same type of food. For that reason, there is a variety of delicious foods that people like to serve at tea parties. For example, scones are one of those foods that are often served. Scones are small cakes that come in many assorted flavours. Some people like scones with jam, others prefer them with clotted cream, and others like them with jam and clotted cream. There are a variety of recipes for scones and many variations on the recipe. The most common scone recipe calls for flour, baking powder, and sugar. Baking powder is a leavening agent, which causes the dough to rise when cooked.
- Sweet Pastries – We have all heard of afternoon tea, but most of us have never really considered what was served as part of its refreshments. Blending tradition with modern tastes, typical afternoon tea will include a choice of sweet pastries, such as shortbread and croissants.
Afternoon tea is something that is part of British culture, and many people consider it to be traditional. However, despite this, so many British people today have forgotten the importance of this tradition. There are a lot of things that one should consider before having afternoon tea, such as the character of the host, whether you will be having a large group, what you will be having, and where you will have it. But the most important thing is that it would be right for the occasion.