Anna Maria Russell, Duchess of Bedford is credited with creating afternoon tea sometime around 1840, to alleviate afternoon hunger as the upper classes commonly had their dinner late, between 8:00-9:00 p.m.
Victorian Days
Tea Time Recipes
A Victorian tea menu consisted of finger sandwiches (cucumber sandwiches were a common feature), and assorted sweets such as scones, cakes and other pastries. Beverages included teas and lemonade.
To accompany the tea, lemon slices, cream and sugar were placed on the table. Victorians enjoyed their tea in cups of the finest porcelain. Popular patterns featured delicate flowers, animals and other objects from nature.
The recipes featured on our website are a mix of traditional recipes and modern adaptations.
Recipes
Etiquette
Following proper tea etiquette was very important, as you would not want to make a bad impression in front of your host and other guests. There is a long list of etiquette covering how to pour the tea, how to hold your teacup, how to eat the food and how to stir the tea. However, for brevity’s sake we’ve included a small list of some basic rules to follow:
- Be gentle stirring your tea and avoid clinking the spoon against the inside of the cup.
- Despite what you see on t.v. and in the movies, never raise and sip from your cup with your pinkie extended.
- When you pick up your cup, the saucer remains on the table.
