Taking Afternoon Tea Like the British
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If you love afternoon tea and want to experience a truly British Afternoon Tea, learn the hints, preferences, and serving order of a proper British tea. Find the top 10 favorite British tea brands to serve at your next party.
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Since the 18th century, the British have been the largest per capita consumers of tea in the world. I’m told they like it strong, with plenty of milk and at least two teaspoons of sugar. Well, how delightful does that sound?
I’m guessing you love British-style afternoon tea as much as I do. Here, you’ll find how to brew a perfect pot of tea, the difference between various British teas, and the best teas to serve for afternoon tea.
Then, if you happen to find yourself in Britain, we’ve also included the best places to take tea in London and the most popular brands the British love.
So nestle in with a warm cup of tea, perhaps a scone… or two, and explore the world of British afternoon tea. Cheerio!
You might also like to read our post on 8 Top Teas for Afternoon Tea or Queen Elizabeth Afternoon Tea Recipes with inspiring ideas for your next tea party.
How to brew a perfect pot of tea:
- Fill a tea kettle with cold water and bring it to a boil.
- After the water has boiled, pour a small amount into your teapot. Swirl it around to heat your teapot and then discard the water.
- Place loose leaf tea in the bottom of your teapot; 1 teaspoon per person plus one for the pot.
- Pour water into your teapot over the leaves and let steep for three to four minutes.
- Using a tea strainer, pour water through the strainer into individual teacups.
- Serve with milk and sugar, never creme as it will mask the taste of the tea.
What are the most common British tea meals?
Sometimes, you hear these tea terms intermingled. If you have ever wondered what the difference is between high tea, afternoon tea, and cream tea, here is a brief overview.
High Tea
British high tea is often confused with afternoon tea. Traditionally, it’s a substantial evening meal, originating during the Industrial Revolution, served between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. rather than the lighter and fancier menu of afternoon tea. High tea typically includes hearty dishes like meats, fish, bread, cheese, and pies, accompanied by strong tea. Unlike afternoon tea, a light, elegant affair with finger sandwiches and pastries, high tea is more robust and intended to satisfy after a long work day.
Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea is a tradition that began in the early 19th century as a light, elegant meal to bridge the gap between lunch and dinner. Typically served between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., it includes a selection of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and delicate pastries or cakes. Accompanied by a pot of tea, often served with fine china, afternoon tea was historically a social event among the upper classes. It remains a popular ritual today celebrated in hotels and tea rooms worldwide.
Cream Tea
Cream tea is a simple yet delightful tradition, typically enjoyed in the afternoon. It consists of scones served with clotted cream and jam, often strawberry jam, and accompanied by a pot of tea. Originating in Devon and Cornwall, where it remains especially popular, cream tea is a more casual version of afternoon tea, highlighting rich, buttery scones or cream scones and the indulgence of clotted cream. It’s a treat often enjoyed in cozy tearooms or at home, offering a taste of classic British comfort.
Best 5 Teas to Serve at Afternoon Tea
Here are some popular choices for a lovely British Afternoon Tea:
1. Earl Grey Tea
One of the most popular black teas served for afternoon tea is Earl Grey tea. With a citrusy flavor, its natural sweetness lends itself to pairing with many afternoon tea sweets.
2. Assam Black Tea
Grown in the mountainous region of Assam, India, it’s a robust tea with a sometimes astringent flavor. It is a perfect tea to add milk and sugar and is an ideal pairing with afternoon tea sweets, tea sandwiches, and savory bites.
3. Sri Lanka Black Tea:
The most famous Sri Lankan tea is Orange Pekoe. This tea has a floral and light flavor.
4. Darjeeling Tea:
Darjeelings are teas from Darjeeling, India, and are a classic pairing for afternoon tea foods.
5. Chamomile Tea:
It is an herbal infusion with a floral, almost apple-like flavor. A caffeine-free choice is a great addition to afternoon tea. It pairs deliciously with sweets, especially scones, and fruity desserts.
Best Afternoon Teas in Britain
If you’re heading to London soon, Conde Nast recently ranked the best spots for Afternoon Tea in Britain. Their list is exhaustive. But here is a list of their standout favorites:
Best Overall Afternoon Teas in London
- Best for classic afternoon tea: The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason
- Best for royalists and traditionalists: Afternoon tea at The Goring Hotel
- Best for a taste of London: Afternoon tea at The Wolseley
- Best for fashion fans: Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkeley
- Best for old-school glitz: Afternoon tea at The Ritz London
- Best for timeless elegance: Afternoon tea at The Lanesborough
- Best for affordable treats in an iconic setting: Afternoon tea at the British Museum
- Best for tea connoisseurs: Afternoon tea at Claridge’s
Afternoon Tea at the Ritz London:
The best afternoon tea in London for: old-school glitz
Tea at The Ritz. Is there a more archetypal English institution? The Ritz London sets the standard for afternoon tea.
Tea is served in the many-mirrored Palm Court salon, which is deliciously grand and swimming in gold. The salon is set between two palm trees, a good few steps higher than the rest of the hotel‘s ground floor, like a stage, with everyone performing to the tinkling of the live pianist, and soprano Miranda Heldt some weekday afternoons.
Afternoon Tea at Claridge’s, Mayfair:
The best afternoon tea in London for smart tea connoisseurs
There is a very skilled art in creating such an iconic experience as afternoon tea at Claridge’s without the event becoming a parody of itself. This could become a tourist sideshow, something to ‘tick off’ the list.
The skill in keeping its authenticity lies, as ever, with the staff who create this experience, keeping it a treat while keeping it real.
AFTERNOON TEA AT THE GORING HOTEL:
Best afternoon tea for: royalists and traditionalists
The Royal Family makes no secret of their affection for The Goring Hotel. It’s where the Duchess of Cambridge spent the night before her wedding; where the Queen holds her annual staff Christmas lunch, and the only hotel in the world to hold a royal warrant.
Tucked away on an unassuming side street in Belgravia, there are even rumors of a secret tunnel linking the hotel to Buckingham Palace, so the Queen and co can slip in unnoticed.
And what makes the place extra special is its private garden out back – almost unheard of in central London – where you can enjoy your tea in good weather before working it off with a game of croquet. It’s an institution about as British as it gets.
TRADITIONAL AFTERNOON TEA AT THE SAVOY:
The best afternoon tea in London for stretching out for a long afternoon beside the Thames
London today is as blessed with as many fine hotels, restaurants, and tea houses in which to take afternoon tea as at any point in its history. Possibly even more of them.
Nominating the best of the lot would be an impossible and unrealistic task since so much depends on mood and whim and the exigencies of the moment. But in any case and under any circumstances, The Savoy would have to be very, very, very near the top of such a list.
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM AFTERNOON TEA AT THE SWAN
Best for: Shakespearean magic and people watching
Attached to the renowned Shakespeare’s Globe theatre on the banks of the Thames is the charming Swan restaurant, where theatre-goers and riverside ramblers come for a taste of English tradition.
Three-tiered afternoon teas (or cocktails) here include widescreen views of London that span from the bustling Southbank Boulevard to the grandeur of St Paul’s Cathedral.
Taking tea the British Way: What to do and not do
While afternoon tea has become a bit more casual, there are still “do’s” and “do not’s” when it comes to taking tea. Vogue magazine recently put together a quick primer on “How to Drink Tea Like a Royal.“
British Tea Etiquette: What to Do
- Use clotted cream, preferably Cornish style, under the jam. Both the Cornish and Devonshire people lay claim to the invention of the cream tea, and each has a view on the order of the toppings. The Devon tradition is cream first with jam spread on top, while the Cornish tradition is to slather the jam on and top it off with clotted cream.
- Always use loose tea. It tastes so much better.
- Let the tea steep as long as you like. If it is not to your taste, ask for a fresh pot. Tea should be replenished regularly.
- Feel free to request different milk. At The Goring, soy, skim, and almond are always available.
- Stir the tea delicately. If cracks appear in the fine china, perhaps you have been a dash overzealous.
- Eat the finger sandwiches with your hands. They are designed for and named after their purpose. Cakes tend to be more delicate and require at least a fork, while a scone with cream and jam needs a guiding hand.
- Enjoy at a leisurely pace.
British Tea Etiquette: What Not to Do
- Add the milk first. Milk should be added after the tea so you can properly gauge how much you need to balance the strength of the brew. However, this is one of the most hotly debated tea-related enigmas!
- Forget the strainer over your cup.
- Serve white tea, green tea, and infusions with milk. Black tea, however, is suitable with milk.
- Extend your pinky finger.
- Dunk your biscuits.
- Plan a big dinner afterward. You will likely regret it.
- Wear sportswear or sneakers. Although afternoon tea is a much more relaxed affair these days, you should still look smart.
Favorite Teas in Britain
5 Top Tea Brands in London
According to Statista, here are Britain's most popular tea brands today.
Yorkshire Tea
Yorkshire Tea was more likely to be the brand of choice amongst the older generations.
PG Tips Original
It is estimated that more than eight million people enjoy this brand. It is especially popular among the 18-49 age group.
I enjoy my tea, usually Earl Grey Black Tea!! I usually drink several cups a day!! Thank you!!
We are kindred spirits 😍. I love my tea too, and Earl Grey is a favorite!
Great article! High tea is a working class meal of cold meats, it’s not really anything to do with afternoon tea. People from the north may say they’re eating ‘tea’ in the evening but in the south we would say dinner or supper.
Thank you, Ian!
You have your Devon and Cornish cream teas mixed up, in Cornwall the cream goes on top.
This one always confuses me — and I have to consult my notes, several times, to make sure I’ve written it correctly. Here is an article from the BBC detailing orders of jam and cream.
“BBC – How Do You Take Your Cream Tea?“
I go to London each February for the past five years. No doubt that I love it. I’ve had afternoon tea at the Ritz. Very good, but a tad crowded. Also, at Royal Albert Hall. Nice. But my favorite place is Fortnum & Mason. Always a wonderful experience!
Can hardly wait to go back next year. I’ve also had tea in different villages in the Cotswolds.. Every place you are made to feel welcome & well fed.
Orange Pekoe is a grade of tea not a kind of tea.
That is true. Orange Pekoe is a particular genre of graded black tea, which is simply the size of the processed tea leaves. Orange Pekoe is a medium-grade black tea.
Thank you for not “monetize”ing your site!
The pronunciation of scone depends on which part of Britain you are from
You mention that loose leaf tea is best, yet all if your examples of the Top 10 Favorite Teas in Britain are all bagged. ?
we drink about 15 cups a day Betty. Can’t be sitting round making each one in a pot.