BETA
Chapter 1
Medieval feasts and imperial tastes
Chapter 2
The classic pub and comfort staples
Chapter 3
Afternoon tea and the sweet tooth
Chapter 4
Modern fusion and regional specialties
YOUR GOAL
Master of The story of British food
Ch 3 · Afternoon tea and the sweet tooth
alicecooks History of Afternoon Tea
Duchess Anna, Feeling so hungry, Brought us afternoon tea!
alicecooks Despite its fancy-sounding name, historical "high tea" was actually a hearty working-class evening meal.
alicecooks Two neighboring English counties have a centuries-old rivalry over the correct order of jam and cream.
Fun Fact
The scone debate: Queen Elizabeth II reportedly preferred her scones served the Cornish way, with jam spread before the clotted cream.
Glossary
afternoon tea (noun)
A light meal eaten in the late afternoon, typically consisting of tea, sandwiches, scones, and pastries. The Duchess of Bedford, Anna Maria Russell, introduced this social custom to England in 1840.
A light meal eaten in the late afternoon, typically consisting of tea, sandwiches, scones, and pastries. The Duchess of Bedford, Anna Maria Russell, introduced this social custom to England in 1840.
Quiz
Which British monarch reportedly preferred eating scones with jam spread before the clotted cream?
Quiz
Why did the Duchess of Bedford start drinking tea and eating snacks in the afternoon?
Quiz
Where did the British Empire establish the sugar plantations that fueled Britain's sweet tooth?
Quiz
What type of thick, rich dairy product is traditionally served with British scones?