Though an English background is helpful for understanding the finer points of "teatime," familiarity with the concept is not required. Some people call it "low tea" because of the low tables and chairs, while others call it "small tea" or "handed tea" because of the manner the cups are passed around.
Confusion arose because it appeared at roughly the same time as "high tea," also known as "great tea" or "meat tea," another afternoon tradition that involves the consumption of tea and food. Although "teatime" as we now know it did not fully crystallise until the Victorian era, people had been drinking tea in the afternoon for quite sometime before that.
Although we may refer to it as "high tea" in Australia, the English simply call it "afternoon tea." That's a quibble about terminology; the more interesting topic is why we have the custom of gathering for tea in the first place. What was it about scones, triangle sandwiches, and chit-chat over fine china that inspired such a pastime? When did high tea begin, and why?
Let's dive into its history. Because of the widespread acceptance of the term "high tea" in Australia and elsewhere, we will hereafter refer to "afternoon tea" as "high tea" and vice versa. It's true that certain purists in the tea community might faint at the slight, but as we've already established, the difference is largely one of semantics. Stay tuned for a distinction explanation later in the post.
Origin Of High Tea
It began in the 1840s with the affluent of England, but it wasn't until the latter half of the 19th century that the middle class started participating as well. Women became sick of waiting for their male counterparts to return from their lengthy lunch meetings and began holding their own.
The Huffington Post states that Duchess Anna of Bedford while waiting for her evening meal, came up with the idea of high tea. She did what any affluent woman would do and started ordering trays of tea, cake, and bread and butter from her staff.
Sooner or later, Duchess Anna probably became tired of feasting alone or realised she was sitting on a potentially lucrative custom. Therefore, she began having her pals over for tea and sweets to show them her newfound hobby. The English aristocracy immediately adopted the custom of having afternoon tea, and it eventually became a major social gathering.
In the 1920s, tea time began to resemble modern high tea, complete with fancy teaware, silverware, and the finest linens money could buy. Of course, hosting a party back then also meant showing off your wealth by inviting many visitors and employing a large staff of servants.
High Tea - Upper Class And Working Class
Traditional Afternoon Tea consisted of tea steeped in a teapot and offered with sugar and milk to give the working class, who often ate less calorie-dense meals but performed more physically demanding tasks, a boost of energy. For the working class, Afternoon Tea typically meant a small sandwich or a baked snack (like a scone) that was pre-packed for them in the morning, a long cry from the lavish spreads enjoyed by the upper class.
Afternoon Tea was reserved for the upper classes and was served with much greater elegance. Sandwiches typically included fillings including ham, egg, cucumber, cress, fish paste, and smoked salmon. Whipped cream and jam scones, in addition to cakes and pastries like Battenberg cake, fruit cake, or Victoria sponge, were common desserts served at afternoon tea.
High Tea Today
In the modern era, High Tea is a fairly formal event. Tea, and even champagne, are among the drinks on sale. Scones with clotted cream and jam are a staple of afternoon tea, but other sweet and savory treats like small quiches, tarts, and sandwiches are also available.
Cakes are still a staple of High Tea, but they've evolved into something even more decadent with the addition of ingredients like crème caramel, crepes, and even fondue. It is common practice in fine dining establishments and teahouses to display elaborately prepared dishes on a tiered pedestal.
High tea and afternoon tea may be used interchangeably nowadays, yet they originate from different English customs. The classic high tea consists of a big meal served with a steaming cup of tea. However, this age-old British custom has developed with the passage of time.
High tea has a rich history and has evolved over time to become a beloved tradition around the world. So, the next time you find yourself at a high tea, remember its origins and the story behind it. Enjoy your tea, savor the sandwiches, and take a moment to relax and unwind.
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