Simple Pleasures: Afternoon Tea

`afternoon teaWhen I was a child we regularly had afternoon tea. Either at home on a Sunday after a big lunch or out at a posh department store as a treat. It was different to high tea (a Scottish thing) and was a special occasion, requiring proper home made cakes and scones and tea in a pot.

Recently I have been invited to several friends for afternoon tea and love it. It’s a chance to properly catch up and drinking tea rather than wine, which is  our usual tipple, means we have a proper conversation.

I decided to host my own afternoon tea last week and despite appearances it didn’t take long to make. With the help of my new favourite baking book, Mary Berry’s Baking Bible (it’s one of those go to books, you will use and use), I rustled up some cheese scones and a Victoria Sandwich cake in under an hour. A few cucumber sandwiches, a bought Battenburg (too fiddly – I do have a life) some vintage china and my Grandma’s embroidered tablecloth and the jobs a good un – as they say in the North.

My friend Paula regularly hosts Sunday teas for friends and family, involving generous amounts of meringue and cream – followed by a long dog walk to walk off the cream – and it’s a lovely way to spend the afternoon.

Why not give it a go.

7 Comments

  • Gillian Taylor says:

    In our family we too are huge converts to Afternoon Tea – so much easier for family celebrations and the addition of a glass of fizz for specials days is lovely! Tea at The Wolsey and Claridges are also highly recommended!

  • Jane says:

    Ooo Gillian, yes Claridges would be lovely and something Ive been meaning to do – *note to self* must book

    Jx

  • mary says:

    yes, yes doing this a lot more, in fact just had friends over for ‘arvo tea”. As we can’t afford to eat out in Western Australia anymore, the DIY afternoon tea is becoming more common. Most people can make a basic cake and throw on a pretty tablecloth and nobody cares how long you stay or how loud you talk and parking is never a problem!

  • Amanda says:

    I’m making cheese scone today, inspired by this…Ax

  • Mum K says:

    I recall when my small daughter accompanied her Grandma and I, was told we were going for afternoon tea to a friends house and, after the pleasantries were exchanged, there was no sign of “tea and fancies”.
    Much to our embarrassment, the same small daughter inquired, “I thought you said we were having afternoon tea mummy”

  • Jane says:

    that’ll be me then!

    J x

  • steffi says:

    I think I shall start the Afternoon Tea Club here in ole Verscio! It’s time!
    X

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