Elegant Afternoon tea

If you hear Afternoon tea, you might imagine the one served at the high-class hotels; scones, tiny sandwiches, and small cakes are nicely placed on the three layered tray, fine quality black tea is prepared in fine china pot, and beautiful cups are placing around… Is that all about afternoon tea? British people really take this effort in their daily life? Long time ago, from the longing for the Japanese "chanoyu" , the custom of afternoon tea party started by the upper-class society in England. There are still formal style Afternoon tea party such as the one hosted by Queen of England and Debut Afternoon tea in the society. They are usually be hold with elegant surroundings and impressive display. However, Afternoon tea comes in different styles. Even if you make a pot of tea, prepare home made cookies, and invite friends or family for tea in afternoon, it can also be called Afternoon tea. Meeting with your friend and share a piece of biscuit and a cup of tea, it is also called Afternoon tea. At the tearoom in England, they often provide afternoon tea menu after the lunch hour. Three layered tray as I mentioned earlier was used for a practical reason. In former days, tea party for the nobility were often held in the drawing room. Since this room was quite small in size, they were not able to place everything on the small table. Above styles of drinking tea still exists in the high-class hotels in both London and country side. We shouldn't think Afternoon tea as a formal occasion. Afternoon tea can be very casual. Just bake homemade cookies and prepare any kind of tea. Now you are ready for inviting your friends for Afternoon tea!

(Yoshie Matsumiya)