high teas
Fancy afternoon meals
High teas are late afternoon or early evening meals, more substantial than the dainty finger sandwiches and pastries of afternoon tea.
Despite the name suggesting formality, high tea originated as a working-class British supper eaten at a high dining table rather than low parlor furniture.
It typically includes hot dishes, meat, bread, and cake.
The term now often appears in upscale hotel marketing for elaborate afternoon tea services: The hotel offers high teas on weekends.
- finger sandwichesBite-sized party fare
- sconesSmall quick breads
- refreshmentsLight fare served socially
- bone chinaCalcium-ash ceramic ware
- cupSmall drinking container
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