Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea was introduced in England by Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, in 1840. Then the Earl of Sandwich had the idea of putting a filling between two slices of bread, adding cake to create a gourmet treat. She began inviting friends to join her and so began a great English tradition
Image from Unsplash courtesy of Sebastian Coman Photography London
Tastes around the British Isles
In London, Berkshire, Surrey and Sussex, custom will offer a choice of teas which may include Assam, a strong full bodied flavour, or perhaps Darjeeling an aromatic leaf with a hint of almond or wildflowers. A firm favourite would be Earl Grey a blend of black tea scented with oil of bergamot. A flute of Champagne will add a sparkle to the eye.
The classic finger sandwich must include smoked salmon with cream cheese, exquisitely sliced thin cucumber, egg mayonnaise with cress, local farm fed coronation chicken and the piquant in the mix locally reared ham with mustard.
From Devon and Cornwall comes clotted cream with fresh jam to spread on delicious, crumbly scones, flavoured with sultanas. There is that wonderful decision to make, shall it be the cream or the jam first?
Lancashire and Yorkshire relish cheese with their afternoon tea especially Lancashire cheese known for its crumbly texture. It is a young, bright white cheese with a fresh, slightly sharp, and tangy flavor. There's a sweet tooth too, sultana scones with jam and cream all with a pot of black tea.
Photo by London based Ben Stein on Unsplash jam first.
Scotland and Wales do afternoon tea
with a dash of difference
Bara brith is a traditional Welsh tea bread flavoured with tea, dried fruits and spices served sliced and spread with butter with traditional Welsh tea.
For afternoon tea your serving will probably include jam, perhaps some clotted cream or a slice of cheese.
Image by zingyyellow from Wales Cymru UK
Welsh tea retains a strong affinity to the traditional strong black teas imported in the 18th century from Africa and India.
Glengettie, a firm Welsh favorite since 1952 was developed as strong tea specifically for Welsh miners its blend perfectly suited to the soft waters found throughout Wales
Welsh cakes are made from flour, butter or lard, currants, eggs, milk, and spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg.
They are a traditional sweetbread cooked on a cast iron griddle. Served either hot or cold perhaps with a dusting of castor sugar, or clotted cream and jam
Image by zingyyellow...wish I could bend space/time - Flickr: Welsh cakes
A firm favourite of Queen Elizabeth II
Dundee cake was created in Janet Kiellers shop in Dundee's Seagate around the 1790's.

It is said her ingredients were butter, sugar, lemon zest, orange zest, marmalade, flour, baking powder, eggs, milk, dried fruit, glacé cherries, candied citrus peel, currants, sultanas, ground almonds and, finally, blanched almonds for a decorative finish. Her marmalade founded a dynasty loved throughout the world.
Credit:The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack
Afternoon tea in Scotland will almost certainly include shortbread, the most iconic Scottish biscuit, with a history dating back centuries. The name "shortbread" refers to the high fat content, which gives it a crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth texture. It is traditionally made with flour, butter, and sugar, and can be flavored with vanilla, or lemon zest.

Scotland took to the new English fashion of afternoon tea in truly eclectic style creating a delightful variation on the traditional British afternoon tea.
Classic treats and Scottish specialties soon took centre stage. Naturally there will be finger sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, and a selection of cakes and pastries, all served with tea.
Scottish traditions, shortbread fingers, Dundee Cake and orange marmalade with whisky or blackcurrant preserve will be on the serving.
Robert Drysdale is credited to be the first tea manufacturer in the UK to produce breakfast tea. It is said that Queen Victoria during a stay at Balmoral enjoyed the blend so much, she subsequently took a supply with her when she returned to England, where upon it was renamed to became known as "English Breakfast Tea".
Credit: Brodies Mussselburgh
If are fortunate enough to spot Cranachan Cake on your Scottish Afternoon Tea you are in for a treat.
Usually, Cranachan combines oats, whisky, honey, raspberries and cream. Traditional Scottish Cranachan has its roots in both the raspberry harvest in June, and in crowdie, a type of fresh, soft curd cheese traditionally made on small holdings and by crofters on the Scottish Highlands and islands.
Crowdie itself has a long history, right back to the Viking and possibly Pict eras. But for this recipe, for simplicity, I’ll be using ordinary double cream.
Image:
lauramadeleine click her name for the recipe
We have curated a small but delicious confection for you
Really, could there be anything more quintessentially English than afternoon tea. Throughout the British Isles people have adapted this delightful pastime according to local taste and fashion.
From the bone china tea set, to the choice in teas we have assembled a choice of delights that would grace every table. We hope you will enjoy these afternoon treats, but, just in case you want to sample the best of teas in England, Scotland or Wales our partners have all the exquisite moments you could wish for.
Victorian Way Bone China Tea Set
- Tea Pot - £80
- Cup and Saucer - £45 per set
- Milk Jug - £20
- Sugar Bowl - £22
Order each item individually
Afternoon Tea confECTIONS
From English Heritage
A collection of treats for your afternoon tea parties, or as ingredients for your very own preparations. We have included reviews to show how much people enjoy these unique flavours.
Carousel Shortbread Tin
This beautifully detailed Carousel Shortbread Tin evokes all the fun of a traditional fair. The charming embossed tin is decorated with fairground horses and can be reused again and again. Full of delicious shortbread biscuits, this makes a charming gift.
£15.00
Allergens
May contain traces of nuts. Suitable for vegetarians. For allergens, see ingredients in bold.
Ingredients Wheat flour (gluten), butter (31%) (milk), sugar, salt
Size 300 g
Beautiful tin. Shortbread 225g @ 522 calories per 100g. 3 separately packed Petticoat Tail rounds of 6 segments each. Verified Customer
Stonehenge Clotted Cream Fudge 250g Tin
English Heritage have been working in collaboration with Gardiners Confectionery to develop a new range of English Heritage Fudge Tins. The range of three tins is based on popular and well-loved flavours including Salted Caramel, Chocolate, and the more traditional Clotted Cream.
The fudge production, overseen by Tom Gardiner is completed by hand in the same way Tom’s parents first mastered decades ago. The flavours for this are drawn from manufacturers across England – The Salt from Jethro and the Dorset Sea Salt Company and the Cream from the Clarke family dairy in Cornwall.
£10.50
Contains no hydrogenated oils or fats.
Ingredients : sugar, glucose syrup, sweetened condensed skimmed milk, palm oil*,English Clotted cream (milk) (6.7%), vanilla flavouring, salt.
*from certified sustainable sources
Allergen Advice : For Allergens, see ingredients in bold
Real English Ale Chutney
This hearty, full-bodied Real Ale Chutney makes the perfect accompaniment to your cheeseboard.
Combining fruits and spices, alongside a healthy slug of Real Ale, this flavoursome condiment perks up a traditional Ploughman’s Lunch, or makes a fruity accompaniment to burgers, hot dogs or cold meats.
Packed with super-sweet tomatoes and English Bramley apples, this punchy chutney makes a great addition to your condiment selection.
£4.50
Key Features:
Made exclusively for English Heritage
Made in the UK
Suitable for Vegetarians
Please refer to 'More Information' tab for ingredients and allergens.
A little bit different from the high street products, worth the extra cost
Verified Customer
Sweet Fig and Plum Relish
An unusual relish, packed with sticky figs and sweet plums.
Handmade in the UK, this distinctive Fig and Plum Relish is the perfect partner for blue cheeses, balancing their pungent, full-bodied flavours with its sweet taste and sticky texture.
It makes a perfect partner for hams, salami and other continental meats too, bringing a taste of the Mediterranean to your table.
£4.50
Key Features:
Made exclusively for English Heritage
Made in the UK
Suitable for Vegetarians
Perfect partner for blue cheeses
Please refer to 'More Information' tab for ingredients and allergens.
Lovely flavour. Had cheese and wine party. And went down a treat. Verified Customer
