What is Tea Time?

Tea Time, also known as "Afternoon Tea" or "Five o'clock Tea", is a tradition that comes straight from England and consists of getting together with family or friends for tea and a few delicacies to taste. It is a rather friendly brunch that usually takes place in the afternoon, around 3:30 and 5:00 PM. Finally, the English Tea Time looks a bit like our French snack, but it is nevertheless a much more elaborate ritual that was born a little less than two centuries ago...

 

Where does this English tradition come from?

The custom of Tea Time originated at the end of the 19^th century when the Duchess of Bedford, Anna Maria, decided to establish a convivial moment with her friends towards the end of the afternoon to chat while nibbling on some snacks. Indeed, the Duchess considered that the time between lunch and dinner was too long, so Afternoon Tea is consider like the third meal of the day.

 

Finally, the tradition has survived and even if this special occasion is less present today than it was in the past, Tea Time remains in the customs of many of our English neighbors.

 

Which tea to choose for Tea Time?

The main element of this English brunch, you will have understood, is obviously the tea! In addition, to respect the tradition, the choice of tea is crucial. In fact, did you know that in England there are specific teas depending on the time of day when they are drunk? For example, for breakfast, we prefer English Breakfast, or we choose a High Tea in the evening before going to bed.

 

However, what is the specific tea for Tea Time? Generally, we favor a classic Earl Grey: a delicious blend of black tea flavored with Bergamot. In addition, to vary the pleasures, you can opt for variations of Earl Grey, such as Lady Grey (with Orange and Lemon peel), French Earl Grey (with Rose petals) or Russian Earl Grey (with Orange peel and Lemon grass).

 

To serve your tea in the English way during Tea Time, you can add a little milk, sugar, or Lemon to your drink and that of your guests. This way, everyone can choose whether to add these extra ingredients to their tea.

 

And with this, you can have a little snack...

 

   

 

For a successful Tea Time, you must not forget the delicacies that will accompany your tea and perfect this precious moment. We have put together a small list of ideas for sweet and savory dishes that will go perfectly with your tea. First, it is imperative to keep in mind that the accompaniments should be serve in individual portions and that they should be easy to taste with your fingertips: it is much more practical!

 

Sweet recipes:

• Blueberry muffins
• Scones (bread rolls)
• Sponge cakes
• Chocolate cakes
• Carrot cakes
• Lemon tartes

 

Savory recipes:

• Cheddar sandwiches
• Cucumber sandwiches
• Smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwiches
• Eggs sandwiches

 

Anecdote: Generally, these little treats are present on a three-tiered tray, with sandwiches at the bottom, scones on the second floor, and pastries on top.

 

 

Now you have all the cards in your hand to prepare your own Tea Time in the rules of art! You can also choose our Pagès teas by choosing for example the classic black Earl Grey tea, the Russian Earl Grey, or the green Earl Grey tea. The choice is yours!