I'm a heavy drinker when it comes to tea. I like all kinds of tea - black, white, green, robois, infusions - just name it. Perhaps smoked black tea is not really my thing. It all depends on the mood which sort of tea I choose. One of the best afternoon teas is a huge mug of black tea - preferable Earl Grey - with milk froth made of soya milk. actually, it's very nice with strong green tea as well.
History
Afternoon tea is surpeisingly a relatively neww tradition. It was introduced in England by anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, in 1840. The Duchess would become hungry around 4 o'clock in the afternoon. The dinner in her household was served late at 8pm, leaving a long period of time between lunch and dinner. She asked a tray of tea, bread and butter and cake be brought to her room during thevlate afternoon. This became a habit of hers and she began inviting friends to join her.
Afternoon tea, served between 4 and 5 pm, became a fashionable social event for the upper-class during the 1880's.
"There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.'
- Henry James -
Have a nice cup of tea!
