Once again the question - high tea or afternoon tea?

High Tea or Afternoon Tea ?

In addressing this controversial question…

Afternoon tea is not the same as High tea. I have read that high tea was what servants of a large house ate downstairs at around 6pm or later, after the aristocrats upstairs had been given their afternoon tea. I have also read it describe as the working class supper.

On the servant’s high tea menu were things like large joints of meat (often a roasted ham), slices of thick bread, potted shrimps, a big cake to share, and a pot of tea. This meal was eaten at a proper table, like your dining room table rather than a lower, coffee table, and so it became known in the servants’ hall and in homes as ‘high tea.’

The term high tea is still observed in some institutions, more typically in nurseries, boarding schools, private nursing homes and gentleman’s clubs. It has otherwise lost the ‘High’ and ‘tea’ is widely used as a colloquial term for dinner.

Afternoon tea is typically served between 12 and 4pm, according to some sources, others say traditionally it is served after 3pm. The upper class Victorians who invented the rules of this ceremony ate dinner well after 8pm. This dinner was made up of several courses, it finished late into the night.

Afternoon tea consists of tea served with three courses, also eaten in the order of dainty sandwiches, which may include the addition of bite size savouries, then delicious scones and finishing with delightful sweets, typically mini cakes and small individual desserts.

When served with champagne or wine, it is called a Royal Afternoon tea or Champagne Tea in some establishments, while others call it Bubbly Tea.

Cream tea is a tea time menu item served with scones only. Scones are traditionally offered as plain or fruit and served with clotted cream and strawberry jam. Always an endless pot of delicious loose leaf tea.

Having said all this, hotels around the world, as well as smaller tea rooms and tea houses will favour the tourist trade. Serving Afternoon tea from as early as 10.30am until 7pm at night. They have adopted the name ”High Tea” in their promotions. There is a foreign notion which assumes ‘High tea’ is synonymous with ‘High society.’

While it is nothing to lose sleep about, I hope you agree that it’s helpful to explain the history behind traditional practises. At Dragonfly Delights Tea Room we will offer Afternoon Tea, Dainty sandwiches and savouries, delicious scones and delightful dessert served on a three tiered tray from 3pm – 7 pm daily. Our Happy Hour.

High Tea will be part of the menu but will be a dinner like offering on a plate.