April marks National Afternoon Tea month so naturally we had to go into it! If there is one thing the British do better than queueing and talking about the rain, it’s Afternoon Tea. It is a ritual that sits somewhere between a light snack and a full-blown religious experience. But how did we get from "drinking hot leaf water" to "eating miniature crustless sandwiches on a three-tiered tower of glory"?
Grab a cuppa, and let’s spill the tea on the history of, well, tea.
The Duchess Who Couldn't Wait: The Origin Story
We owe this entire tradition to Anna Maria Russell, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, in the year 1840.
Back then, the British typically only ate two meals a day: a hearty breakfast and a late dinner around 8pm. By 4pm, the Duchess found herself suffering from what she described as a "sinking feeling" (today, we call that being hangry).
Her solution? A tray of tea, bread and butter, and cake were brought to her private dressing room. It was such a vibe that she started inviting her friends to join her. Before long, all of high-society London was putting on silk gowns and hats just to eat a scone.
The Liquid Gold: Choosing Your Brew
While the sandwiches and scones often steal the spotlight, the tea is—quite literally—the guest of honour. You wouldn't serve a fine steak with a juice box, and you certainly don't serve a three-tiered feast with a dusty old bag of "generic breakfast" tea.
In a traditional British tea room, the tea menu is as curated as a wine list. Here are the heavy hitters you’ll encounter:
The Bold & The Brave: Black Teas
Most Afternoon Teas are built on a foundation of black teas. They have the "backbone" (tannins) to stand up to the fats in clotted cream and the sugar in the cakes.
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Earl Grey: The quintessential "fancy" tea. It’s flavoured with oil from the rind of Bergamot oranges. It’s citrusy, floral, and smells a bit like a very expensive perfume. It is best enjoyed black or with a tiny slice of lemon.
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English Breakfast: A rugged blend of Assam, Ceylon, and Kenyan teas. It’s designed to be punchy and is the only tea on the menu where it is socially acceptable (and encouraged) to add a healthy splash of milk.
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Darjeeling: Known as the "Champagne of Teas," this comes from the foothills of the Himalayas. It’s lighter, thinner, and has a sophisticated "muscatel" (grape-like) flavor. Adding milk to Darjeeling is considered a minor felony in some circles.
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Assam: If you want something that tastes like a warm hug in a library, this is it. It’s malty, dark, and incredibly earthy. Try our decaf version that has been decaffeinated using CO2 extraction - a process healthier and more eco-friendly than the usual chemical processes.
The Delicate & The Green
For those who find black tea a bit too aggressive for a Tuesday afternoon, the lighter options provide a refreshing palate cleanser.
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Green: It’s smoky and nutty, providing a sharp contrast to sweet strawberry jams.
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Jasmine: This is green tea that has been scented with jasmine blossoms. It’s incredibly fragrant and helps "cut through" the richness of buttery pastries.
The Wildcards: Herbal & Oolong
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Lapsang Souchong: The "Marmite" of the tea world. The leaves are smoke-dried over pinewood fires. It tastes like a campfire in a cup. It’s an acquired taste, but it pairs unexpectedly well with savory smoked salmon sandwiches.
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Chamomile or Mint: For the "I’ve had enough caffeine to power a small city" crowd. These are caffeine-free infusions that settle the stomach after you've inevitably eaten three scones too many.
A Note on "The Pour"
In a proper setting, you'll be served loose-leaf tea, requiring the use of a tea strainer—a small silver mesh cradle that sits over your cup to catch the leaves. With JP’s biodegradable pyramids, the tea is brewed in the tea bag itself with all the convenience of a common brew but the taste of royalty.
Let’s not forget the milk - are you a "milk in first" rebel, or do you prefer to see the color of the tea before you commit to the dairy?
Why It Still Matters
In a world that moves at 100 mph, Afternoon Tea is a mandatory pause button. It’s an hour or two where the only deadline is making sure the tea doesn't get cold. Whether you’re at a five-star hotel in London or sitting in a drafty village hall, the ritual remains the same: Sip, nibble, gossip, repeat.
So, the next time you feel hangry in the late afternoon, don't reach for a protein bar. Do as the Duchess did—get the kettle on.