The History of Classic Afternoon Tea
Afternoon Tea wasn’t invented in the 11th Century, but came about because of Anna Russell. The 7th Duchess of Bedford would become hungry around four o’clock in the afternoon. The evening meal in her household was served around at eight o’clock. Thus leaving a long period of time between lunch and dinner. The Duchess asked that a tray of tea, bread and butter and cake be brought to her room during the late afternoon. This became a habit of hers and she began inviting friends to join her.
‘Tea rooms’ were all the rage in the late 19th century. Quickly became THE place for meeting friends…
just like The Fizzy Tarté!
However, they were also considered one of the few respectable places for women to meet without a chaperone.
Because of this, the out-of-home afternoon tea took off so quickly. Soon enough ‘tea dances’ were being hosted at the most expensive hotels in the area.
During the 1880s upper-class and society, women would change into long gowns, gloves, and hats for their afternoon tea which was usually served in the drawing-room between four and five o’clock. To explore the world of fashion and tea, have a read, of our article ‘Dressing for Tea’. The afternoon tea tradition was born inside the houses of the rich and fortunate but once summer came around they wanted to take this fabulous time of day outside into their beautiful gardens.
When the ladies took the afternoon tea ritual outside it encouraged the lords and men of the house to take part in this fabulous activity. And there you have it. The history of afternoon tea started because of one hungry Duchess who needed a light snack in between meals.
We have a lot to thank her for!
