English Tea Times Explained (2024)

FAQs

English Tea Times Explained? ›

Tea Time, also known as "Afternoon Tea" or "Five o'clock Tea", is a tradition that comes straight from England and consists of getting together with family or friends for tea and a few delicacies to taste. It is a rather friendly brunch that usually takes place in the afternoon, around 3:30 and 5:00 PM.

Afternoon tea vs high tea

Traditionally, the food served for both is rather different as well—along with tea, of course, afternoon tea is served around 4 p.m. with delicate pastries, while high tea is a more substantial meal served between 5 to 7 p.m. after a long, hard day at work.

While both afternoon tea and high tea are served in the afternoon, one key difference between them is the time of day. Afternoon tea is typically served around 4 pm, while high tea tends to be served later in the afternoon (around 5- 7 pm).

Of course, never take a drink of your tea without removing the spoon first, and please never, ever sip from the spoon. Take small, quiet sips of your tea. Do not blow on the tea if it is too hot. When you are not drinking tea, place the cup on the saucer.

Afternoon tea is a light meal typically eaten between 3:30 pm and 5 pm. Traditionally it consisted of thinly-sliced bread and butter, delicate sandwiches (customarily cucumber sandwiches or egg and cress sandwiches) and usually cakes and pastries (such as Battenberg cake or Victoria sponge).

Finally, the tradition has survived and even if this special occasion is less present today than it was in the past, Tea Time remains in the customs of many of our English neighbors.

In the evening the British are going to dinner with their family. During the big meal they discuss the events of the day, politics and sports. At that time of the day especially popular are soft, soothing teas flavoured with bergamot. The most famous «evening» tea is «Earl Grey».

“High” tea

It combined snacks and a hearty meal and was usually served at about 6pm. This eventually evolved into the lower classes calling their midday meal “dinner” and their evening meal “tea”, while the upper classes called their midday meal “lunch” and referred to the evening meal as “dinner”.

Coffee, of course : That's “Koffy”, as opposed to KAAWWFy, which is entirely a U.S. thing, since we in Australia say it their way too. Same with 'Awesome', which in the commonwealth doesn't rhyme with 'possum', but oarsome ( we called our Oz Olympic rowers “The Oarsome Foursome”, some years back for e.g.)

Most establishments will bring unlimited refills of tea and usually about as much food as you can eat. If your server doesn't offer additional scones or sandwiches, just ask. At lower-priced restaurants, though, expect just one serving.

Why put pinky up when drinking tea? ›

Allegedly, it's said that the tea cups in the 19th century were wide shaped and flat the bottom, making it hard not to spill anything. The pinky helped keep the cup in balance. This caused the lifting pinky to become a trend, and because tea was only for the elite, so was that pinky finger.

Ideally a more tailored pair would work best and a dark wash or black. Some hotels do not permit jeans but if the dress code is smart casual you should be fine.

Elevenses is a short break when you have a cup of tea or coffee, and sometimes biscuits, at around eleven o'clock in the morning. [British, informal] Around elevenses on that morning he started showing signs of being unwell.

United Kingdom

Elevenses, eaten at 11:00 as the name suggests, typically consists of tea or coffee, often with a few biscuits. Sometimes, cake or other snacks are eaten instead.

Yes. We call the tea leaves infused drink tea. Hot or on ice. Milk first or second - no one cares which. Tea remains only a drink, not an evening meal however.

Patience plays a huge factor while using tea bags. You should leave the tea bag in the water for about two minutes so that there is ample time for it to infuse the tea flavor.

English Breakfast tea recommendations call for steeping between 3 to 5 minutes. You can steep less or more depending on how flavorful and robust you want your breakfast tea.

The tradition is still quintessentially British, and many Brits still make time to sit and enjoy the propriety and civility of this the quaintest of English dining customs, just not on a daily basis.