England TEA TIME

By Jazmín Montoya Salazar

 

One of the most typical and popular traditions in England, is the so-called "tea time". It is a tradition and a ritual. The currently known as "Tea for 5" or "Afternoon tea" did not begin to be as such until the early nineteenth century.

The story goes that one afternoon in 1830, Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, asked them to bring her some tea room and a light snack. At that time in England the food was usually served very early and not take anything again until dinner at 8 or 9 at night. The Duchess liked it, so much this time of ingestion of the drink she decided to repeat it every evening. Anna was inviting their friends to take tea with her.

Over the years this innocent occasional snack became a tradition, practiced by the aristocracy and upper classes, which gave sumptuous and elegant "tea parties", usually between 3 and 5 pm, following the beverage with a light to itching, some pasta and sandwiches. No however today there are a variety of pastas fresh ,and salt which is usually associated with a typical English tea. No doubt, a tradition Made in England.

 

High Tea is often a misconception. Most people refer to afternoon tea as high tea because they think it sounds regal and lofty, when in all actuality, high tea, or "meat tea" is dinner. High tea, in Britain, at any rate, tends to be on the heavier side. American hotels and tea rooms, continue to misunderstand and offer tidbits of fancy pastries and cakes on delicate china when they offer a "high tea."

 

Afternoon tea (because it was usually taken in the late afternoon) is also called "low tea" because it was usually taken in a sitting room or withdrawing room where low tables (like a coffee table) were placed near sofas or chairs generally in a large withdrawing room. There are three basic types of Afternoon, or Low Tea:

Cream Tea - Tea,scones, jam and cream.

Light Tea - Tea, scones and sweets.

Full Tea - Tea, savories, scones, sweets and dessert.

In England, the traditional time for tea was four or five o'clock and no one stayed after seven o'clock. Most tea rooms today serve tea from three to five o'clock. The menu has, also changed from tea, bread, butter and cakes, to include three particular courses served specifically in this order:

Savories - Tiny sandwiches or appetizers.

Scones - Served with jam and Devonshire or clotted cream.

Pastries - Cakes, cookies, shortbread and sweets.