afternoon tea
British light meal
Afternoon tea is a British tradition of light refreshments served in the late afternoon, typically including tea, small sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and pastries.
The meal emerged among the Victorian upper class and remains associated with elegance and leisure: We had afternoon tea at the hotel.
Distinguished from high tea, which is a more substantial early evening meal.
Small quick breads
- clotted creamThick scalded milk fat
- Earl GreyBergamot-flavored black tea
- AssamTea-producing Indian state
- cucumber sandwichesLight tea-party fare
Victoria sponge · crumpets · Harrods · Darjeeling · finger sandwiches · trifle · Battenberg · shortbread
Filled bread slices
- sconesSmall quick breads
- pastriesSweet layered confections
- cakesBaked layered sweets
- biscuitsSmall, leavened quick breads
macarons · tarts · petit fours · madeleines · financiers · clotted cream · jam · lemon curd
Bergamot-flavored black tea
- DarjeelingBengali mountain tea town
- AssamTea-producing Indian state
- English breakfastTraditional British cooked morning
- chamomileSoothing herbal infusion plant
oolong · jasmine tea · green tea · loose leaf · teapot · infuser · milk · sugar cubes
Fine ceramic tableware
- silverwareMetal eating utensils
- laceOpen-weave ornamental fabric
- tiered standStacked horizontal display structure
- teacupsSmall handled drinking vessels
saucers · linen napkins · tablecloth · porcelain · fine dining · white gloves · doilies · sugar tongs
Exchange of spoken ideas
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
- friendsVoluntary close relations
- catch-upReaching others' level
- companionshipState of having company
hosting · invitation · guests · celebration · bridal shower · baby shower · reunion · chatter
scones
Small quick breads
- clotted creamThick scalded milk fat
- Earl GreyBergamot-flavored black tea
- AssamTea-producing Indian state
cucumber sandwiches · Victoria sponge · crumpets · Harrods · Darjeeling · finger sandwiches · trifle · Battenberg · shortbread · jam
sandwiches
Filled bread slices
biscuits · macarons · tarts · petit fours · madeleines · financiers · clotted cream · jam · lemon curd · smoked salmon
Earl Grey
Bergamot-flavored black tea
- DarjeelingBengali mountain tea town
- AssamTea-producing Indian state
- English breakfastTraditional British cooked morning
chamomile · oolong · jasmine tea · green tea · loose leaf · teapot · infuser · milk · sugar cubes · honey
china
Fine ceramic tableware
- silverwareMetal eating utensils
- laceOpen-weave ornamental fabric
- tiered standStacked horizontal display structure
teacups · saucers · linen napkins · tablecloth · porcelain · fine dining · white gloves · doilies · sugar tongs · tea strainer
conversation
Exchange of spoken ideas
companionship · hosting · invitation · guests · celebration · bridal shower · baby shower · reunion · chatter · bonding
tradition
Custom passed through generations
formality · heritage · protocol · observance · institution · routine · practice · steeping · pouring · serving
- Victorian eraparlour, Victorian etiquette, etiquette, parlor games, courtship
- Victorianaseances, Dickens, spiritualism, Sherlock Holmes, phrenology
- British ClassicsPride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, Great Expectations, Oliver Twist
- Downton Abbey eraDownton Abbey, manor house, country estate, drawing room, butler
- old customsarranged marriage, arranged marriages, dowry, betrothal, courtship rituals
- pastimeshobbies, amusement, puzzles, cards, crafting
afternoon teabreakfast
Day's first eating
dinner · supper · midnight snack · brunch · elevenses
afternoon teafast food
Speedy prepared meals
quick bite · TV dinner · working lunch · drive-through · desk lunch