Of all the stereotypical tokens of England, like the London Bridge,
Buckingham Palace and double-decker busses, and tea tops the list. Tea
is to England what apple pie is to America. English tea is steeped in
tradition and more than a beverage of choice; it's also an important
element in the social history of Britain. English High Tea is one of
these traditions that are still an important element in the life of the
British elite.
Many people imitate the practice of serving English high tea, but it's
not easy to duplicate it. There are North American resorts, hotels and
tearooms that will offer "English High Tea" with an array of sweets and
pastries. These early afternoon parties are certainly elegant, but they
are not bona fide "high teas".
To explore the proper method of serving English high tea, you must
first understand a little bit about the history of England. The
practice of taking high tea was first introduced when the people of
England enjoyed two main meals each day: breakfast in the morning, and
dinner in the evening.
The breakfast meal usually consisted of bread, beef and ale, while the
evening meal was a veritable smorgasbord. This meal, served as the sun
began to set, would come to be known as "high tea".
A woman named Anna, Duchess of Bedford, was credited with introducing
the form of English high tea that we know today. Fond of inviting
friends to dinner, the Duchess would experiment with the menu as she
served high tea. Other ladies of society began to follow suit, and
"English High Tea" eventually became a popular time for social
gatherings.
Popularity of the English high tea gained momentum during Industrial
Revolution, the second half of the Victorian Period. Working men and
women returned home exhausted and prepared high tea for refreshment.
The table would be set with quick and easy food choices like bread and
butter, cheese, meat, pickles and of course, a pot of tea. There was
none of the fancy finger foods, tiny crustless sandwiches or rich
desserts that adorn today's mock "high tea" tables.
The evening dinner tea was served at a high dining table, rather than
on lower tea tables, which may have led to the name of "high" tea.
If you choose to impress your North American friends with an English
high tea party, you may do the trick by serving some fancy sandwiches
and sweets. If ever called to task with British guests, however, wait
until the afternoon sun begins to fade, and serve your tea with some
hearty fare. You'll certainly impress with your proper English high tea
service.
