Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea and Recipes
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Few customs are more iconic of England than afternoon tea. And Downton Abbey illustrates this custom beautifully. For fans of both teatime and Downton Abbey, you will love these tea recipes to make at home.
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Before we get to the recipes, let’s take a look at the series, how to brew tea Downton Abbey style, helpful resources, and more.
Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea
In watching both the movie and the series, viewers glimpse through a window the traditions and rituals of afternoon tea. Whether that be upstairs or downstairs.
The downstairs tea was a welcome afternoon break as servants took tea with a slice of bread or cake. While some used that time to catch up on mending and sewing, others read the newspaper or played cards.
An upstairs tea would have been displayed by the servants prior to their own tea and served by the family for themselves.
Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea Cookbook
The Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea Cookbook is a treasured book of recipes, traditions, memories from the television series, and even etiquette of the era.
For tea lovers, this is certainly a book you want to grace your shelves as you plan and imagine your next tea.
Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea Cookbook
The Official Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea Cookbook
Recipes for teatime drinks, scones, savories, sweets, preserves, and more that would have graced tea tables in the Downton Abbey era.
British Tea to Serve for Afternoon Tea
The cookbook gives a brief history of English tea and notes that the first tea to arrive in the 17th century was green tea from China.
By the early nineteenth century, tea drinking had been established and by the 1820s, the British East India Company began production in Assam using a local tea variety.
And the rest, of course, is history.
Types of British Teas for Afternoon Tea
Types of Tea
- Green Tea: originating in China
- White Tea: once known as silvery tip pekoe, has the lightest flavor
- Black Tea: generally stronger in flavor
- Oolong Tea: a distinctly smokey flavor
- Lapsang Souchong: also has a smokey flavor
Blended Tea
- Earl Grey: Prized for its citrus notes (see how to properly brew Earl Grey Tea)
- English Breakfast: dates to the late eighteenth century and is a full-flavored tea
- Irish Breakfast: a blended black tea with a reddish color and robust flavor (see how to properly brew Irish Breakfast Tea)
How to Prepare Tea at Downtown Abbey
- Bring a kettle filled with fresh cold water to boil, adding a bit to warm the teapot as well. Discard the water.
- Add 1 teaspoon of tea leaves per person to the warmed teapot, plus 1 teaspoon for the pot.
- As soon as the water returns to a boil, pour over the leaves in the teapot.
- Allow the tea to steep for 2 to 5 minutes, depending on the preferred strength and type of tea.
- Set a pitcher of hot water on the tea table for those preferring weaker tea.
Downton Abbey Tea
Mrs. Patmore's Pudding Tea
This decadent dessert tea has the homemade flavors of vanilla cake drizzled with rich caramel sauce. The full-bodied base of premium black tea lends itself well to a splash of milk, making it a perfect afternoon tea to partner with puddings, scones and shortbread
Downton Abbey Tea Sampler
Collection includes Grantham Breakfast Black Tea Blend, Bates' Brambleberrry Black Tea, Mrs. Pathmore's Pudding Black Tea, Downton Christmas Black Tea, English Rose Herb Tea, and Lady Cora's Evening Herb Tea.
Downtown Abbey Estate Blend Tea
This classic traditional British tea with bergamot orange oil has been paired with exotic vanilla for an intriguing finish. Enjoy this robust tea with or without milk and sugar or even over ice. Perfect for high tea or any time of day.
Downton Abbey Premium English Rose Tea, Caffeine Free
This vibrant, ruby-red infusion of rose, raspberry and hibiscus has fruity, floral notes and a touch of sweetness.
Garvey's Downton Abbey best Of British Traditional Organic Scone Mix, 9 Ounce
"Nothing is more inviting than warm scones, fresh from the oven. Serve them for breakfast, coffee time, tea time, anytime spread with butter, preserves, lemon curd and, if desired Devon, clotted or whipped cream. Downton Abbey organic scones are one of life's simple pleasures. Our organic scones are made quickly and easily."
Downtown Abbey Books
Classic English China Patterns
These beautiful classic English china patterns will any testable. For more ideas and patterns, visit Classic English China Patterns.
More Afternoon Tea Posts You May Also Enjoy
Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea Recipes
English Scones Recipe
These light and fluffy English Scones are easy to make and perfect for afternoon tea or even breakfast. Serve with clotted cream, jam, or lemon curd. Beautifully simple, and delicious!
Royal Currant Scones Recipe
A Royal Currant Scones Recipe, from the archives of Queen Elizabeth, to serve with afternoon tea, or anytime you’re craving an authentic British style scone.
Traditional Irish Scones
This traditional Irish Scones recipe is a light and delicious scone made with Irish butter and buttermilk. Lightly sweet with a moist, tender texture. Perfect for afternoon tea.
Raspberry Scones with Lemon Butter Glaze
These Raspberry Scones with Lemon Butter Glaze are a flaky and tender summer scone recipe you’ll love. Packed with raspberries, these easy-to-make scones are perfect for the season.
Simple Lemon Curd Recipe
This easy Lemon Curd recipe is a velvety soft, utterly delicious 4 ingredient lemony spread that is exceptionally easy to make at home, on the stovetop, in 10 minutes. A perfect blending of sweet and tangy goodness. It tastes like springtime in every bite.
Small Batch Refrigerator Strawberry Jam
This delicious recipe for Small Batch Refrigerator Strawberry Jam is the perfect recipe if you’re craving homemade strawberry jam but you don’t have time to make a full batch of canned jam. Keep this simple quick jam in the fridge, perfect for slathering onto scones, hot toast, or for filling a simple Victoria Sandwich cake.
Classic French Madeleines Recipe
"These soft sea shell shaped cookie cakes care so good with a cup of tea!"
Buckingham Palace Shortbread Cookies
Buckingham Palace Shortbread Cookies are a recipe from pastry chef John Higgins that's perfect for the holidays or afternoon tea.
Shortbread Tea Cookies with Lemon Curd
Shortbread Tea Cookies with Lemon Curd, topped with fresh blueberries, are tiny bites of perfection. Petit and perfectly sized for afternoon tea, they are melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
Classic Chelsea buns recipe
"Commemorated by authors such as Charles Dickens and Lewis Carroll, this traditional currant bun was created around 1700, at the Chelsea Bun House. They were so popular that there was once a near-riot over supply!"
Victoria Sponge Cake: A Teatime Classic
This Victoria Sponge Cake is an afternoon teacake recipe, favored by Queen Elizabeth, with a long British royal heritage. An easy-to-make, simple two-layer cake that's lightly sweet, soft, and perfect!
Easy Afternoon Tea Sweets Bites and Teacakes
Delicious and easy recipes for an afternoon tea sweets course or dessert course. These beautiful desserts will make your next tea something to remember.
Easy Lemon Drizzle Cake Recipe
This easy Lemon Drizzle Cake is a beautiful recipe, perfect for days when you’re craving a decadently tender dessert with abundant lemon flavoring. Or when you’re looking for a traditional tea cake you know everyone will love.
Simple Anytime Almond Cake
This simple Almond Cake is really an Almond Anytime Cake. It’s an easy-to-make, incredibly moist, and delicious buttery snack cake perfect for, snacking, of course, but also for teatime, breakfast, with coffee, or for midnight cravings.
Bakewell Tart
"This classic British Bakewell Tart is wonderful for any special occasion, whether it’s Easter, Mother’s Day, high tea, or just for an afternoon treat with a cup of coffee or tea."
Simple Lemon Curd Tart Recipe
This French Lemon Curd Tart is inspired by Tarte au Citron, or French Lemon Tart. It's a creamy, slightly tangy lemon custard filling baked in a crisp, buttery shortbread crust. It's incredibly simple to make, and utterly delicious!
Deliciously Easy Asparagus Mini Cheese Tarts
These Asparagus and Cheese Mini Tarts are an easy, favorite treat for afternoon tea, brunch, or any time asparagus is in season. A simple tart that’s minutes in the making.
Easy Afternoon Tea Savory Bites
An Afternoon Tea isn’t complete without savory bites. Along with tea sandwiches, scones, clotted cream, preserves, and tea cakes, a well-rounded Afternoon Tea serves a smidgen of savory bites as well.
Simple Ham Salad: Quick and Delicious
A simple ham salad makes delicious and pretty savory options for afternoon tea when topping cucumber or cracker slices. Ready in 10 minutes.
Make Ahead Tea Sandwich Recipes and Ideas
Make Ahead Tea Sandwiches: If you’re hosting an afternoon tea, chances are you’re serving finger sandwiches. And would like to find some easy make-ahead recipes and ideas.
Strawberry Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches
Strawberry Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches with Creamy Lemon Dressing are a deliciously fresh and slightly sweet take on traditional chicken salad finger sandwiches. They're easy to make, delicious, and bright with the brilliant colors of summer.