The British Tea Tradition
The afternoon tea in Great Britain is a tradition, established by the seventh Duchess of Bedford in the 19th century.
At the time, the supper was served very late; the duchess take the habit of drinking tea in the afternoon between three and four o'clock with a light meal.
She began inviting her friends to join her and started a trend, that had an immediate success, with all the linked utensils as tea caddies, tea-cosies, tea balls, tea strainers, sugar bowls, milk jugs, tiny porcelain teacups, silver teapots; but also scones with jam and clotted cream, typical cakes, muffins, crumpets.
Today, as in the 19th century, friends and family members are still invited around for afternoon tea.
In elegant tea meetings, milk, sugar and lemon are always provided to everyone's tastes.
