Afternoon Tea

Travel Advice for Seniors: The Tea Experience

Having “afternoon tea” in England is one of the quintessential experiences that is a “must do” along with checking out Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. It also happens to be absolutely one of Mom and my favorite things to do when traveling and is always on our itinerary, no matter if we are in Russia, Thailand, Turkey, Paris, Beijing or New York City! 

We have had afternoon tea at the Dorchester and Buckingham Palace in London, at the Peninsula in Hong Kong and the Russian Tea Room in New York City to drop a few names that you may know. We’ve had excellent Chinese and Indian tea in a myriad of rustic tea houses. And while we have experienced noteworthy teas all over the world, we have also experienced a questionable “French” tea in Thailand, a tea with baking powder rolls instead of scones in Australia and a undrinkable decaf fruity tea in London!

You know how if you go to a Mexican or Italian Restaurant for the first time and maybe, like me, order the same thing for the first experience to see if it the restaurant is any good and to judge if you want to go back? Same goes for judging afternoon tea!  The interesting thing about afternoon tea is that while the basics are the same, it differs slightly all over the world in keeping with the customs and products available wherever you are traveling.

 But let’s back up…what exactly is an afternoon tea? Began as an afternoon pick-me-up for royalty, the story goes that Anna Maria Russell, Duchess of Bedford, began the practice around 1840. Apparently, the upper classes only ate two meals a day and were famished mid afternoon. So began the practice of tea with small sandwiches and cakes to tide one over.

There are two types of “tea”: One is “low” tea or a light tea served mid-afternoon as a snack between meals, usually taken by the upper class, the second is a “high” tea which is more substantial and usually taken by the “lower class”, however, I’ve interpreted this also to mean that it is a general tea where more substantial food and even hot food is served. 

So, what can one expect at tea? Usually a selection of (drinking) hot tea is available including the classic “Earl Grey” and “English Breakfast”. You will also see “Jasmine”, “Darjeeling”, “Camomile” and a large variety of other types including many local specialty teas like chai, green and white. Some places offer paired teas and some give you a choice of more than one. If you are unsure, ask for a recommendation and try something new!

The second thing you expect at a tea is the the food, which is typically a fixed menu: First served is a selection of savory finger sandwiches. Classics are egg salad, cucumber, smoked salmon and curried chicken. Many, many other types are available depending on where you are in the world. Usually three or four different types of finger sandwiches are served.

The sandwiches are followed by scones with strawberry preserves and clotted cream. Scones are sort of a small sweet biscuit, sometimes with dried fruit or other inclusions. Clotted cream is a very heavy cream that is sweet, similar to a cream cheese. Heavenly!

The final offering is sweeties! Typically, some type of small chocolate cake, a small lemon tart, petit fours, maybe a carrot or spice type of small cake. Sometimes truffles or fruited pastry. The variety here is endless and usually three or four are served.

Most importantly, tea is not something that you slam down. Tea is to be enjoyed at a slow pace. Here are a few other tips on tea etiquette:

• Afternoon tea is a dressier event. Smart casual depending on where you are going and note that some places are “see and be seen”, requiring better dress
• Be on time
• Tea should savored and enjoyed at leisure. Make sure you allocate enough time
• Do place the napkin on your lap and use it
• You are allowed to add cream/sugar/honey to black teas. Stir softly without clinking the sides of the cup and put the spoon on the cup saucer
• When drinking, leave the tea saucer on the table (unless standing) and pinch the handle of the cup between your thumb and index finger with middle finger supporting. Do not raise your pinky
• Take small, quiet sips, do not slurp
• You may break the scones apart with your fingers, sweets are also okay to eat with your fingers as appropriate
• Eat each course as it arrives or from the top of the three tiered presentation plate downward: Savories, scones and finish with sweeties
• Do not snarf the food, 2-3 bites are adequate

Usually when we have tea, we don’t follow up with dinner, but for the late dinner crowd, an afternoon pick me up is welcome. Many times botanical gardens, museums and art galleries will have an inexpensive tea option if they have a café and we typically take full advantage, usually in lieu of lunch.

Teas vary greatly. And don’t forget that interesting company is an important factor as well. We’ve had chai latte with a packaged cookie in a small farmer’s house with dirt floors and goats in the next room in the mountains of Kathmandu, we’ve been welcomed to an Airbnb in a castle in Wales with Welsh cakes and tea and we’ve had formal tea in the Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong. All equally enjoyable with interesting conversation. Just goes to show that you don’t have to go to an expensive place to enjoy a good tea! 

Next time you travel, do a quick search and see if there is a good place to have tea. Once you experience it, you too will have it on your “must do” list when touring!