The ever-delightful practice of having afternoon tea originated from the time of Britain’s royal duchess of Bedford, Anna.  Anna enjoyed drinking tea and eating light refreshments during the afternoon at a time when the British were known to only eat breakfast and dinner.  Because it was such a novelty that was met with significantly excellent reception, the Duchess transformed the occasion into a social event by inviting friends, thereby creating a charming custom now known and practiced by Brits everywhere: the afternoon tea.

 

Over the past decade or so, the enjoyment of afternoon tea has been taken up by many homes, clubs and restaurants in the United States.  It’s truly a lovely way to spend at leisure, de-stressing and catching up with other lighthearted friends. Some practitioners of afternoon tea even dress in their finest “Sunday best,” replete with white gloves and hats.  While it’s not a requirement, dressing up for tea is certainly an art form worth trying once with friends.  You may find that you enjoy this to-do.

 

To serve afternoon tea, at least one pot of loose tea must be brewed and served with milk and sugar. Finger foods consisting of small, crust-free sandwiches, scones, and pastries are typically on the menu of an afternoon tea, which normally occurs between the hours of 3 and 5 p.m.  Silver, doilies and lace are all very appropriate, so hosting afternoon tea is a good way to put to use many of your cherished serving ware that you rarely have a chance to use in today’s rushed-about world.

 

If you have not been invited to tea, perhaps its time for you to host a charming afternoon with friends, dressing in your best spring floral combinations, hats, gloves and all out, to sit and sup, honoring and enjoying a time and custom that is definitely making a comeback and is definitely worth the effort.

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