Which Tea Service Is Right For You?

Afternoon tea, cream tea, high tea… confused as to which type of tea service is right for you?  Don’t worry, Elden Street Tea Shop has you covered!

Afternoon Tea:
Afternoon tea is a social event that originated in the 1840s when a duchess grew hungry between lunch and dinner.  The duchess invited her friends for tea and a light snack to carry them through the afternoon.  As this was not a formal meal, the women would sit in the parlor in low slung armchairs, hence earning afternoon tea it’s other common name, “Low Tea”.
 
Afternoon Tea is typically served around 4pm and features finger foods such as small sandwiches, scones, macaroons, and other treats.  This social gathering is commonly mistakenly referred to as “High Tea” and was traditionally reserved for the upper class.
 
Cream Tea:
Originating in Devon and Cornwall, England, Cream Tea is a paired down version of Afternoon Tea and features the traditional last course of Afternoon Tea.   At a Cream Tea the tea is served with scones, clotted cream, and jam.

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​High Tea:
High Tea first began when the lower class could not take lunch breaks during work.  Instead they would come home and serve tea and a hearty meal of cold cuts, cheese and meat pies for their family.  This service would characteristically be enjoyed at dinner table, hence the name “High Tea”.
 
High Tea is more relaxed and informal than Afternoon Tea and is traditionally enjoyed with one’s family rather than in a social setting.  To this day, many in England still refer to their dinner as “Tea”.

Check out our event calendar​​ to find the perfect tea service for you and your friends!