The origin of English afternoon tea:
In 1662, King Charles II of England married Princess Catherine of the Braganza dynasty in Portugal. The princess brought a little box of tea and began to entertain guests with tea in the palace. But the real “birth” of afternoon tea is still due to the Ana, Seventh Duchess of Bedford.
But the real “birth” of afternoon tea is still due to the Ana, Seventh Duchess of Bedford. 18th-century Britons only eat breakfast and dinner during one day, the nobility generally uses dinner after 8 pm. During the long hours after the brunch, the Duchess often ordered her maid to prepare a pot of tea, a few slices of toast and cream, and butter Send it to her room at four or five o’clock in the afternoon. It’s very pleasant to eat. Gradually, the Duchess invites three or five confidant four or five o’clock in the afternoon every day, and they enjoy the fragrant pure tea in the fine porcelain tableware together, collocation by exquisite sandwiches and small cakes, and enjoy a relaxing afternoon together. Did not expect to become a fashion within the aristocratic social circle at that time and gradually spread to the civilian class.
Until today, this has formed an elegant and comfortable afternoon tea culture, and it has also become the orthodox “British black tea culture,” which is the origin of the so-called “Victorian afternoon tea.”
British afternoon tea classification and name:
English afternoon tea is divided into two types: the first kind is cream tea of informal, consisting of scone and tea only. The second kind is more formal traditional afternoon tea, made of sandwich, scone, dessert in three parts. The first layer is sandwich, the second layer is pancake of the traditional British style dessert, and the third layer is cake and fruit tower. In the jam rack, cream, strawberry jam, and bitter orange jam are usually served. Nowadays, many high-end hotels will provide champagne afternoon tea. There is no difference with traditional afternoon tea, just there is a glass of champagne.
English afternoon tea tasting method:
The most orthodox time to drink afternoon tea is four p.m. In Victorian times, men must wear a tuxedo, while women wear robes. Of course now is not so much about. In addition to having to make a tea appointment, which is traditional, the general requirement for tea tasting in London is “smart casual,” as long as you avoid like jeans that are extremely informal dresses. For traditional afternoon tea with three layers of dim sum, the oldest way to eat is from salty to sweet, from the bottom up. When you are tasting a cake, you must place the cake on a special snack tray before eating. Never remove food directly from the snack rack to eat. Drinking tea poses as direct pick up the teacup to drink, do not pick up the tea tray. Basically, all afternoon tea is free to add light refreshments, and the waiter will pack some for you when you leave. This is actually one of the hallmarks of traditional afternoon tea.
