Afternoon tea is a great British tradition. It is where a selection of sweets and savoury nibbles are lovingly presented, usually on a 3-tier stand, and served with a pot of good quality tea.
Afternoon tea was introduced to Britain in the 1840s. It went on to evolve into a mini-meal that could be enjoyed as a way of staving off hunger, served before a much later 8 pm evening meal.
In recent times, afternoon tea has evolved again. Now, sharing an afternoon tea is a great way to celebrate a special occasion or spend time with a loved one.
Menu Planning
Planning an afternoon tea menu is easy to manage in stages.
Delicate finger-piece sandwiches are the cornerstone of any traditional afternoon tea. Aim for a selection of 2-4 varieties, with options such as egg and cress, coronation chicken, ham, or cream cheese and cucumber always proving popular.
Something filling and bread-like in texture usually accompanies sandwiches. This can include scones, teacakes or crumpets, which can be served with various accompaniments, either sweet or savoury, from butter or chutney to jam or honey.
Finally, add your sweet treats to your afternoon tea tray. These usually consist of eclairs or pastries, or perhaps bite-sized Victoria sponges. Zesty lemon or jam tartlets are also a traditional English staple.
While not strictly traditional, nor a menu option, adding an edible garnish is a great finishing touch to your afternoon tea set-up. Cherry tomatoes, fresh leaves or herbs, or even courgette flowers all make for visually pleasing and tasty additions.
Delivery Services
While it is lovely to get together and share an afternoon tea, afternoon tea boxes make for a great alternative, either as a gift for a treasured recipient or when logistics mean that meeting up is just not possible.
Afternoon tea boxes from specialists such as https://www.afternoonteabox.com come beautifully presented and can be delivered nationwide.
These make for a thoughtful gift that can be shared or enjoyed alone in the comfort of the recipient’s own home.