Pots of joy as afternoon tea time makes a revival

NOTHING says "special occasion" like dusting off the fine china, brewing a pot of tea and serving plates of dainty cakes and sandwiches.

This quintessentially English tradition started in the early nineteenth century, when Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford is said to have complained of "having that sinking feeling" during the late afternoon.

At the time people usually only had two meals a day, breakfast and dinner (at 8pm).

The Duchess's solution to what we now call the afternoon munchies, was a pot of tea and a light snack during the afternoon.

During summer, she invited friends to join her and, before long, all fashionable society women were sipping tea and nibbling sandwiches in the middle of the afternoon.

Also known as "low tea" because of the the height of the table it was served on, afternoon tea at 4pm was followed by the fashionable promenade in Hyde Park.

The middle and lower classes ate a more substantial "high tea" (served at the higher dinner table) at 6pm, instead of the traditional 8pm dinner.

Afternoon tea, whether enjoyed at home or in a restaurant or cafe, has made a steady comeback in recent years, complete with "traditional" offerings of dainty sandwiches (no crusts), tiny cakes and tartlets.

Villeroy & Boch recently added two new teapot designs to its Mariefleur and Mariefleur Gris afternoon tea collections.

The pots, which retail for $159, can add an elegant touch to the afternoon tea table, especially when teamed with the matching cups, saucers and plates.

For more inspiration visit our Pinterest afternoon tea board, yourhomefairfax.

Visit Your Home FCN on Facebook for afternoon tea recipe links.