> plate ‘afternoon tea’ with me 🫖✨🍽️

Did you know high tea and afternoon tea are often mistaken?!

I’ve been having more afternoon teas because the portion sizes are perfect and it’s a good way to talk over light bites. Plus, hot tea is my jam! 🍵 a friend and I went to Chocolate Angel Cafe & Tea Room and had this divine little setup

here’s more details 🫖

Unlike the working-class "High Tea" (a full dinner), Afternoon Tea was a social event invented by the aristocracy. The story goes that Anna, the Duchess of Bedford, got hungry around 4 p.m. because the main dinner was served late. She started ordering tea and snacks to her room to bridge the gap, and soon, inviting friends over for this became a fashionable social ritual.

Here is how a proper Afternoon Tea is structured:

The Famous Three-Tiered Stand

The food is almost always presented on a stand, and you are supposed to eat starting from the savory bottom and working your way up to the sweet top.

1. The Bottom Tier: The Savouries (Finger Sandwiches)

These have the crusts cut off and are delicate. The classic fillings are specific:

· Cucumber (the most traditional, with butter on white bread).

· Egg and Cress.

· Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese.

· Ham and Mustard.

· Coronation Chicken (a creamy, mildly spicy curried chicken salad).

2. The Middle Tier: The Scone Course

This is the heart of the meal. You get warm scones (either plain or with fruit).

· The Topping Debate: They are served with clotted cream (thick, buttery cream) and strawberry jam.

· Regional Fight: In Cornwall, they put jam on first, then cream. In Devon, they put cream on first, then jam. There is no right answer, but picking a side is fun.

3. The Top Tier: The Patisserie (Fancy Sweets)

These are small, intricate desserts meant to be eaten in one or two bites.

· Miniature Cakes: Like lemon drizzle or Victoria sponge.

· Tarts: Fruit tarts or chocolate pots.

· Petits Fours: Tiny bite-sized sweets, often chocolate or marzipan based.

The Tea Itself

You don't usually get a choice of "English Breakfast" or "Earl Grey" by accident.

· Assam: A strong, malty tea that goes well with milk (good for the sandwiches).

· Darjeeling: Lighter and floral, often drunk without milk (good for the sweets).

· Earl Grey: Bergamot-flavored, a very popular choice.

Modern Variations

If you go for Afternoon Tea today, you might see some twists:

· Champagne Afternoon Tea: The same food, but with a glass of bubbly.

· Cream Tea: A simplified version—just tea, scones, jam, and cream (no sandwiches or cakes).

#platedinnerwithme #afternoontea #scone #sandwich #hottea @Lemon8 Food