If there is an English Breakfast tea, there is also an English Afternoon tea. This concept is well known to the English. But for those who do not know the origin of the English Afternoon tea, this article provide will provide a brief background.

The introduction of the English afternoon tea dates back to the 1840s and the English afternoon tea evolved out of the rituals of tea drinking that took place in Britain at that time.

However, the majority of the English people began drinking tea in the late 1650s and as the brewed beverage and the dry loose leaves were extremely unaffordable, the English afternoon tea emerged as the common drink of the royal families and the aristocracy. Aside from that the well-off gentlemen drank teas in several coffee houses in London and the aristocratic ladies bought very little amounts of loose tea leaf and then drank the brew at home with their friends and families.  

It is as well noted for the English afternoon tea that the ships that carried the English afternoon tea from China and Japan to Europe also brought in some of the English afternoon tea pots, tea bowls, and neat cute jars for the English afternoon tea storage. As such, this crockery caught the attention of most of the rich families which then resulted in a massive storage of the English afternoon tea at home, mostly in the kitchen or dining room cupboards.

So when did all this English afternoon tea drinking go on?

The afternoon tea beverage then became one of the most popular customs of England. The afternoon tea is often taken between 3 to 5 pm.  It is believed that the ceremony on the English afternoon tea started when Anna, the Duches of Bedford, started to invite her friends for some tea refreshments. Many other people, especially the growing middle class, began to mimic the rich and found that the English afternoon tea was an affordable way of entertaining guests without going to too much work or spending too much money.  

So from then on, the English afternoon tea was coupled with small tea time treats such as crustless sandwiches, hot buttered toast and scones, little pastries, and a cake or two. Until now, the tradition of English afternoon tea has continued and the English afternoon teas is recognized as the ideal way to entertain neighbors, friends, and even business acquaintances.  It is noted that the English afternoon tea practices of today still enjoy same elegant and cozy atmosphere that was experienced by the English in the early days of the English afternoon tea drinking.

Further information on topics such as afternoon teas can be found on sites such as Food and Drink Information. Topics range from eradicating indigestion to vitamin B17.