high tea
Late afternoon repast
High tea is a substantial early-evening meal, traditionally eaten by British working-class families when returning home from work.
Despite its name, it's heartier than afternoon tea—featuring hot dishes, meat, bread, and cake rather than dainty sandwiches and pastries.
The "high" refers to sitting at a dining table rather than low parlor furniture.
Outside Britain, the term is often misused to mean fancy afternoon tea service.
Small quick breads
- clotted creamThick scalded milk fat
- cucumber sandwichesLight tea-party fare
- crumpetsSpongy griddle cakes
- Victoria spongeFilled layer cake, British origin
jam · pastries · teacakes · finger sandwiches · petit fours · macarons · smoked salmon · egg salad
Of the United Kingdom
- VictorianOf a prim era
- afternoonPost-meridian hours
- teatimeAfternoon refreshment hour
- etiquetteRules of polite conduct
custom · ritual · formal · proper · heritage · hotel · Ritz · Savoy
Translucent fired clay
- tiered standStacked horizontal display structure
- saucerSmall plate beneath cup
- servietteDining cloth for wiping
- silverwareMetal eating utensils
tablecloth · cake stand · sugar tongs · linen napkins · doilies · butter knife · cloche · bone china
Bergamot-flavored black tea
- DarjeelingBengali mountain tea town
- AssamTea-producing Indian state
- CeylonSri Lanka's former name
- oolongSemi-oxidized tea variety
kettle · loose leaf · milk · sugar cubes · honey · champagne · sherry · prosecco
Collection of people meeting
- conversationExchange of spoken ideas
- ladiesWomen, respectfully addressed
- friendsVoluntary close relations
- celebrationFestive event marking occasion
hospitality · occasion · bridal shower · baby shower · birthday · reunion · hosting · entertaining
scones
Small quick breads
- clotted creamThick scalded milk fat
- cucumber sandwichesLight tea-party fare
- crumpetsSpongy griddle cakes
Victoria sponge · jam · pastries · teacakes · finger sandwiches · petit fours · macarons · smoked salmon · egg salad · cream puffs
British
Of the United Kingdom
etiquette · custom · ritual · formal · proper · heritage · hotel · Ritz · Savoy · manor
porcelain
Translucent fired clay
- tiered standStacked horizontal display structure
- saucerSmall plate beneath cup
- servietteDining cloth for wiping
silverware · tablecloth · cake stand · sugar tongs · linen napkins · doilies · butter knife · cloche · bone china · creamer
Earl Grey
Bergamot-flavored black tea
- DarjeelingBengali mountain tea town
- AssamTea-producing Indian state
- CeylonSri Lanka's former name
oolong · kettle · loose leaf · milk · sugar cubes · honey · champagne · sherry · prosecco
gathering
Collection of people meeting
- conversationExchange of spoken ideas
- ladiesWomen, respectfully addressed
- friendsVoluntary close relations
celebration · hospitality · occasion · bridal shower · baby shower · birthday · reunion · hosting · entertaining · companionship
elegant
Gracefully refined, tasteful
- refinedPurified or cultured
- genteelAffectedly polite or refined
- sophisticatedWorldly and cultured
leisurely · graceful · luxurious · posh · sumptuous · lavish · tasteful · intimate · cozy · charming
- British ClassicsPride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, Great Expectations, Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol
- British hospitalitypub, hotel, inn, B&B, bed and breakfast
- British thingscricket, pub, ale, fish and chips, scone
- BritishnessLondon, BBC, Big Ben, royal family, royals
- food experiencesfine dining, tasting menu, food tour, food festival, cooking class
- mealssupper, brunch, dinner, lunch, luncheon
high teaafternoon tea
Light meal around four
cream tea · elevenses · tea and biscuits · coffee break · light snack
high, tea, height, highly, higher, highest, teacup, heights, heighten