We British are famous worldwide for our so called ‘traditions’ of High Tea and Low Tea, but if you’ve never heard of them, or don’t know the difference between them, you are definitely not alone. It is a stereotype, of course. All British men wear top hat and tails, English ladies only communicate by handwritten letter and everyone, from scruffy students to busy billionaires, have tea in the afternoon. It may no longer be a tradition here in the UK to take tea in the afternoon, but millions of us eat tea every day as a main meal. Here we explode the myths about taking tea in Britain and reveal the big differences between High Tea and Low Tea.
High Tea
Contrary to popular belief and the aristocratic sounding name, High Tea did not originate amongst upper classes. In fact, the opposite is true; High Tea is a predominantly working class meal that was traditionally taken between 5 and 7pm – the time that labourers would arrive home from their physically demanding jobs. It was called High Tea because, in contrast to the cakes and tea at low coffee tables of the upper class Low Tea, High Tea was enjoyed at a high table – the dining table.
The foods enjoyed at High Tea were diametrically opposite to those at Low Tea. Low Tea was intended as a light snack to tide someone over until dinner. High Tea was an energy packed meal designed to sustain those who worked hard all day long. Instead of crustless cucumber sandwiches and petit fours, workers would dig in to meat pies, pickled salmon, cold cuts, bread and butter and jam. Tea, the beverage, was also drunk in copious quantities.
Low Tea
In the mid-1830’s, the Duchess of Bedfordshire was suffering from what we might today call a mid-afternoon slump. With a long gap between mid-morning breakfast and dinner at 8pm, she began to take a light meal in the afternoon, which consisted of tea, sandwiches and cake served at a coffee table in her room. She began to invite her friends to enjoy this meal with her and before long the practice had spread to the rest of the country as a social, afternoon meal.
And so Low Tea was born - the high class and quintessentially British tradition that is also known as Afternoon Tea. It couldn’t sustain a working class labourer, but was enough to tide over the leisure-loving ladies of the upper classes until their evening meal. The tradition is enjoying somewhat of a revival amongst the British public, but is used only as an occasional treat rather than a regular meal.
The differences between High Tea and Low Tea reflect some of the differences between the classes. Working people didn’t have time to take leisurely afternoon meals, in the same way the non-working classes couldn’t face a heavy meal at five o’clock when dinner was served at eight. Even today, modern workers tend to have ‘tea’ at around 6pm after work, with a biscuit and a cup of coffee to get them through the afternoon. These days, Afternoon (Low) Tea is the preserve of smart hotels for birthday treats, whereas High Tea (minus the actual tea) is still an everyday meal taken by millions of people.
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FAQs
afternoon tea also known as low tea was eating at a low table like a coffee table. and it was enjoyed mostly by the wealthy. both were meals of a sort but high tea basically replaced your evening meal. it would have meat and other full dishes.
What is the difference between high tea and low tea? ›
Whereas high tea is typically a more wholesome meal of meat, potatoes and vegetables served after a long hard day at work. And finally, another difference is that afternoon tea is also known as 'low tea' as it was typically served at a low table. On the contrary, high tea was once served at a high table.
What is the difference between high tea and regular tea? ›
Delectable scones, tea sandwiches, and cakes are the hallmark of an afternoon tea, which is served in midafternoon. A high tea, however, includes much more substantive fare, such as meat, fish, and egg dishes, as well as breads and desserts, and is offered in the early evening.
What is a high tea? ›
So what is 'high tea'?
The phrase 'high tea' started to be used to describe a working-class meal served at a high table and high back dining chairs at the end of a long workday. The tea would be accompanied by a hot meal.
What are the three types of afternoon tea? ›
Afternoon Tea, High Tea, Cream Tea... What's the Difference?
- Afternoon Tea. Afternoon Tea is a selection of finger foods like cake, scones, tarts, and other treats that is usually served more casually than a High Tea. ...
- High Tea. High Tea is served at a dining table, hence "high tea", and is more of a meal. ...
- Cream Tea.
Low grade tea could have an unpleasant or faint aroma. Taste: Good quality tea has a strong mouthfeel with fine tasting notes. Take a slow sip and let the flavours get to you – they can range from smooth, bright, deep to intense or refreshing. Low quality would be more bitter, astringent with unpleasant undertones.
What are the best tea to serve at high tea? ›
Teas. Top picks: Earl Grey, Darjeeling, and English Breakfast are seen as the traditional choices for Afternoon Tea, but more exotic varieties like Lapsang Souchong, Assam and Matcha varieties are also often expected to be among the options on offer.
Which type of tea is better? ›
Green Tea is often considered one of the healthiest tea options. To produce green tea, leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant are steamed or pan fried and dried. The tea leaves aren't exposed to air and so they don't oxidize, and the green hue remains.
What are the benefits of high tea? ›
6 Reasons to Start An Afternoon Tea Ritual
- It may help you break unhealthy eating habits. ...
- It can help you unwind and feel less anxious. ...
- It might give your workout a boost. ...
- It could help with blood sugar control. ...
- It can benefit your heart. ...
- It has brain health benefits.
Its origins can be found in the lower classes, who compensated for the lack of a lunch break in their workdays by taking tea — along with cold cuts, cheeses, pies and hearty hot dishes — immediately after work. Today, high tea is generally taken between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
High Tea Etiquette – Top 5 Tips
- Dress Code. Do dress smart casual. ...
- All About Scones. Scones should be broken apart with the fingers, not cut with a knife and fork. ...
- Eating Manners. As the name suggests finger sandwiches should be eaten with your hands, but small delicate sweet morsels require a fork or dessert spoon.
What Is High Tea? According to legends, high tea was served to gentlemen and ladies who worked hard all day at work. The term 'high' signifies that tea was served at high tables or counters. The tradition of high tea was started to help refuel these people who would come back exhausted after a tiring day at work.
Why would people have high tea? ›
A great way to celebrate
Whether it's a baby shower, bridal party, birthday celebration or just a girly catch up with friends, high tea is the perfect way to celebrate any special occasion with a touch of luxury.
What is tea with cream called? ›
A cream tea (also known as a Devon cream tea, Devonshire tea, or Cornish cream tea) is an afternoon tea consisting of tea, scones, clotted cream (or, less authentically, whipped cream), jam, and sometimes butter.
What 4 foods are included in afternoon tea? ›
What Food to Serve for Afternoon Tea. Afternoon tea as we think of it now is usually served on a three tier platter. Many restaurants and hotels will fill the tiers with tarts, finger sandwiches, and small iced cakes. They may even serve soup and salad on the side, along with a scone and cream.
What do you wear to high tea? ›
Generally, the attire requested for guests to adhere to for afternoon tea is “smart casual,” which falls somewhere between business casual and casual. This will usually mean no trainers, t-shirts, shorts or sportswear. And gentlemen will typically be asked to wear a collared shirt.
What is served at low tea? ›
An afternoon tea menu is light and focuses on scones, finger sandwiches. Marmalade, lemon curds, and herbed butter may also be included. Favorite teas for afternoon tea include black teas like Earl Grey and Assam as well as herbal teas like peppermint and chamomile.
What do you wear for high tea? ›
Generally, the attire requested for guests to adhere to for afternoon tea is “smart casual,” which falls somewhere between business casual and casual. This will usually mean no trainers, t-shirts, shorts or sportswear. And gentlemen will typically be asked to wear a collared shirt.
What is low tea in the United Kingdom? ›
Low Tea was intended as a light snack to tide someone over until dinner. High Tea was an energy packed meal designed to sustain those who worked hard all day long.
