One Sugar or Two? | An Insight into the History of the afternoon Tea.
You can never go wrong with a delicious afternoon tea, but where does it come from? Pop the kettle on and read to find out about the history of the afternoon tea.
Afternoon tea is a staple in British culture, and it’s more historic than many of us realise.
Why not pop the kettle on, grab a biscuit, and find out all about the history of the afternoon tea?
History of the Afternoon Tea | The First Cuppa
As we begin our journey of the history of the afternoon tea, we have to first understand where it all started. Legend dictates that the first sip of a tasty brew was taken by Emperor Shen Nung in ancient China during 2732 BC.
As the story goes, the Emperor was minding his business when leaves from a wild tree caught in the wind and landed in his pot of boiling water. The smell of the tea enticed the Emperor and curiosity led him to drink, feeling warmth and balance as the liquid investigated his body.
It was decided that the creation be named “ch’a”, and recognised with a unique symbol when written to demonstrate the relationship between humankind and nature.
History of the Afternoon Tea | The Journey to England
Despite being discovered and enjoyed elsewhere, Britain missed out on the brew until 1662 when King Charles II married the Portuguese Catherine of Braganza.
A tea lover herself, the new Queen contributed to the history of the afternoon tea by bringing a bountiful chest of Chinese tea as part of her dowry. The Queen distributed the tea amongst her aristocratic friends who quickly fell in love with the drink, allowing it to gain popularity throughout England.
History of the Afternoon Tea | A Hungry Creation
While tea was a hot commodity in the hands of the sophisticated aristocrats, afternoon tea had not been considered until 1840 where it all started as a habit.
Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, is who we have to thank for this delicious tradition. Due to the fact that lunch was served early and dinner was served very late, Anna fell extremely hungry between the hours of 4 and 5pm.
To combat this, she summoned a plate of bread, butter, cakes, and of course, tea, to her room every day after 4pm. Anna shared this with her closest friends and it soon became a daily ritual.
By 1880, afternoon tea was a firm favourite in high society, with women donning hats and lavish gowns to indulge on a scone and some tea in the drawing room.
Back to the Present | Enjoy Some Afternoon Tea for Yourself!
Reading through the history of the afternoon tea is thirsty work. If you’re craving a sweet hot drink accompanied by some delicate bakes and sandwiches, why not book yourself in for an afternoon tea treat at Stonehouse Court?
We’re paying homage to the quintessential British pastime by offering experiences of cream tea, afternoon tea, and the prestigious Champagne afternoon tea to enjoy on our breathtaking outdoor terrace or in the historical setting of our indoor lounge.
To indulge in the treasured tradition of afternoon tea with us at Stonehouse Court, or to see what else we have to offer, please take a look at our website for more information.
