High Tea is an English afternoon Sunday tea prepared for the upper classes by their servants. It usually consists of an assortment of dainty sandwiches and small cakes with cream. It may also include such as small tarts, jellies and the usual English fruit salad or fresh strawberries and cream. High Tea is seldom taken these days, but there are high quality 'tea rooms' located in English country areas which will cater to your needs and will gladly lay on High Tea for you and your party. What goes with High Tea? Tea. What time of day? Anytime after 3pm and before 5pm but not if you're having a cocktail party, which should start at 4pm sharp - ladies in cocktail dresses and gentlemen in lounge suits please.
If you want the very best 'tea' ever, try the Ritz Hotel on Piccadilly in London. You'll have to book in advance. You will be rubbing shoulders with members of high society.
2007-02-09 07:19:40
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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High tea is a tradition that was started in the late 1600's to stave off hunger pains until dinner was served. It is usually served at around mid afternoon. Both the " beautiful bread" scones and crumpets are traditional accompaniments with High Tea but usually something a little more substantial is provided as well, like a little Welsh Rarebit. Of course a good pot of tea is the heart and soul of the high tea tradition.
2007-02-02 22:13:18
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answer #2
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answered by Johnny M 1
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High Tea is often a misnomer. Most people refer to afternoon tea as high tea because they think it sounds regal and lofty, when in all actuality, high tea, or "meat tea" is dinner. High tea, in Britain, at any rate, tends to be on the heavier side. American hotels and tea rooms, on the other hand, continue to misunderstand and offer tidbits of fancy pastries and cakes on delicate china when they offer a "high tea."
about.com says the following:
Afternoon Tea
This is the one that comes to mind when people think of English tea ceremonies. It all began back in the mid 1800s, when the Duchess of Bedford started having a tray of tea with bread and butter served to her in the mid-afternoon. You see, in those days, lunch was served at noon but dinner was not eaten until 8 or even 9 o'clock at night. The Duchess found herself hungry during those long afternoon hours.
It became a regular occurance and as she began to invite other high-society ladies to join her, having Afternoon Tea became the 'in-thing' for the upper-class women. Along with tea, there would be small pastries with clotted cream or preserves, delicate sandwiches, and scones.
High Tea
Many people use the term "High Tea" to describe the event I've mentioned above, probably because it sounds more elite. But High Tea is a much different thing. It was served later (around six in the evening) and consisted of a full, dinner meal for the common people. Tea was still served, but there would also be meats, fish or eggs, cheese, bread and butter, and cake. It was more of a man's meal, than a ladies social diversion.
2007-02-02 20:09:59
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answer #3
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answered by AlwaysOverPack 5
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This is an elegant British tradition. High tea is served with your best silver or china tea service. Some yummy brewed tea ~ your choice ~ and pastries on the side, like crumpets or biscuit cookies. Dress up for it! :-)
If you're ever in London, go to the Dorchester Palace Hotel in the afternoon for their High Tea Treat.
You'll love it!
2007-02-02 20:27:07
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answer #4
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answered by Lynn O 1
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Well in my day, it was a nice pot of tea, with some cakes and normally served at around 3 pm. Sandwitches could also feature but they had to have the crusts cut off.
The whole concept of "high tea" is to have something to eat to keep you going untill "dinner " which was 7 or maybe even 8 pm.
Actually miss "allwaysoverpack" has a point. I have seen "high tea" signs outisde fish and chip shops! ....what they were offering was a plate of fish and chips, slice of bread and a pot of tea, in the early evening.
2007-02-02 20:10:20
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answer #5
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answered by Not Ecky Boy 6
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High tea is a full meal served around 6pm. This is not the finger sandwiches and scones tea time.
The final meal of the day wused to be served at 8-9pm so high tea was a meal to stave off hunger until then.
2007-02-02 20:10:52
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answer #6
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answered by jess 2
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So far as I can tell the about.com definition listed here makes sense, there is one more thing to note however. The High in High Tea couldeasily allude to the fact that some take their milk "upstairs" in after tea is poured and some prefer it "downstairs". Those upper crust types would be more likely to call it "High Tea" if they could get away with it. Wouldn't you say.
2007-02-07 04:06:18
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answer #7
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answered by earringsnbuttons 2
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on this side of the universe - high tea is actually just a buffet spread of about 20-30 differents food items, mostly finger food. It's offered at the bigger restaurants and starts from 3pm - 5pm. Coffee or tea is also included, and one can literally stuff yourself silly !
2007-02-02 20:11:47
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answer #8
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answered by PikC 5
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We always had high tea at our Grannies houses when we were kids and it was usually a buffet type affair with bread , ham or turkey, tomatoes, boiled eggs, coleslaw etc to make sandwiches or a meat based salad, followed by some home made scones and some kind of home made sponge , and my Mum used to bring home made gingerbread -served about six o clock - with tea of course ! Yummy
2007-02-02 20:22:40
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answer #9
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answered by Anonymous
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Sardines on toast
Baked beans on toast
Cheese Sandwich
Cucumber s/w
Scones/cakes
Toast/Crumpets
Butter/Jam/Marmalade
Lots of Tea
In winter when it gets dark in England at 3 in the afternoon, it is early dinner. In summer when there is Sun till 9 pm it is mid - evening snack, specially served at Tea during Sunday cricket matches.
2007-02-03 02:25:36
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answer #10
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answered by mangal 4
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