Afternoon tea originated in17th century. At that time, the breakfast in the British upper class was very rich, and the lunch was relatively simple, while the social dinner didn't start until around 8 pm, so people used to eat snacks and have a cup of tea around 4 pm. One of them is a countess named Annamaria, who knows how to enjoy life. Every afternoon, she sends a maid to prepare a pot of black tea and snacks for her. She thought this feeling was really good and invited her friends to enjoy it. Soon, afternoon tea became popular in British upper class.

When black tea was introduced to Europe, because it was a treasure from the Far East, "drinking tea" was only the exclusive enjoyment of the upper class. Later, black tea became popular in cafes and black tea gardens in London. Coffee shop is a place where celebrities gather to exchange tea. Black tea gardens appeared in the suburbs of London, and most British people began to contact black tea. /kloc-tea really entered the lives of ordinary people after the middle of the 0/8th century. The fashion popular among British ladies gradually became popular, and the custom of afternoon tea began to prevail between restaurants and department stores.

British aristocrats endowed black tea with elegant image and colorful drinking methods. Afternoon tea is regarded as a symbol of social introduction and fashion, and it is the best form for British people to entertain friends and open salons. When enjoying afternoon tea, British people like to choose the best black tea, match it with porcelain or silver tea set, put it on the coffee table covered with pure white lace tablecloth, and push out all kinds of exquisite refreshments with trolleys. As for music and flowers, they are even more essential, and classicism is beauty. Songs should be melodious and elegant, and flowers should be fragrant and fragrant.

Tea time, the favorite of British people, is mostly between 3 pm and 5: 30 pm. In an elegant atmosphere, people can often feel the peace of mind and the warmth of family style, thus alleviating the fatigue of the day.

It is said that afternoon tea was not so wonderful in Victorian times. At that time, idle ladies used their spare time in the afternoon to talk about other people's private lives with some excitement and some jealousy in the shade after dinner. Fortunately, the development of society has freed women from the shackles, and the expansion of living space has made women no longer confined to the narrow world. The relaxing afternoon tea time has really turned into enjoyment.

Nowadays women pay more and more attention to the quality and taste of life. Therefore, it is a great thing to hold a small afternoon tea party on the weekend afternoon to entertain two or three confidants, which has both atmosphere and face.

Basic etiquette of afternoon tea in Victorian England

(1) The most orthodox time for afternoon tea is 4 pm (commonly known as afternoon tea).

(2) In Victorian times, men wore tuxedos and women wore robes. At the formal afternoon tea party in Buckingham Palace every year, male guests still wear tuxedos, high hats and umbrellas. Women must wear hats when they wear daytime clothes.

(3) Usually, the hostess will wear formal clothes to serve the guests herself. You must ask the waiter for help to show your respect for the guests.

Generally speaking, the characteristics of afternoon tea are Darjeeling and earl grey, gunpowder green tea, or Ceylon tea. If you drink milk tea, you should add milk first and then tea.

(4) The snacks of orthodox English afternoon tea are packed in three layers of porcelain plates, one layer is a sandwich, and the other layer is a traditional English snack Scone, cake and fruit tower; Eat from the bottom up. As for Scone's way of eating, it is to spread jam first, then cream, take one bite and then wipe the next.

This is a gentleman's etiquette. Most importantly, at that time, because tea was almost imported from China, the British people had unparalleled love and respect for tea products, so it was inevitable to show a rigorous attitude in the process of drinking afternoon tea. Even, in order to prevent tea from being stolen, there are locked tea cabinets. Whenever it's tea time, entrust the maid to take the key and open the cupboard to get tea.

Orthodox British Victorian afternoon tea standard equipment

Porcelain teapot (double pot, four pot or six pot ... depending on the number of guests); Put the filter spoon and small plate of the screening program; Cup set; Sugar jar; Milk cups and bottles; Three-tier dessert plate; Teaspoon (the correct placement of teaspoon is at a 45-degree angle with the cup); Seven-inch personal dessert plate; Tea knife (for butter and jam); A fork for eating cakes; A bowl for putting tea dregs; Napkins; A potted flower; Heat preservation cover; Wooden mop (for serving tea). In addition, lace hand-embroidered tablecloths or tray mats are very important equipment for Victorian afternoon tea, because they symbolize the important household ornaments of Victorian aristocratic life.