Afternoon Tea Victorian Era

An afternoon tea or victorian tea party may be one of the most delightful and informal affairs in the whole social round or it may be an unmitigated bore.

Afternoon tea victorian era. In the early years of the victorian era it was considered acceptable to stay for about half an hour on a tea call while a lady with a strong social life could have up to 9 such calls in one afternoon back to back. Instructions for an afternoon tea in the victorian era serve rolled bread and butter sandwiches made of ham paste potted ham tongue or chicken. Also sandwich wise you could be a bit more adventurous and go for anchovy sardine or maybe. In fact most of us would recognise the 19th century afternoon tea as something similar to what we have today finger sandwiches with assorted fillings savory tarts and pastries a variety of fancy cakes scones and tea.

The custom of afternoon tea came about as a necessity to fill a hunger gap. By victoria s reign it was not uncommon for dinner to be served at 7pm or even later on important occasions. Victorian tea times in arklow is a stunningly authentic salute to all things victorian and offers guests a truly immersive experience of that bygone era combining fabulous food with flouncing victorian ensembles. In future i ll be writing more on afternoon tea specifically formal teas and receptions which often featured music entertainment and as many as 100 guests or more.

An informal afternoon tea was a great way for victorian era ladies and gentlemen to gather together for tea sweets and conversation. Tea history fashion sports culture and social history of the victorian era 1837 1901. The crusts of the bread should be cut off and the sandwiches cut into three corner shapes or fingers. Afternoon tea in every respectable english dwelling be it palace or cottage tea is served between four and five o clock every afternoon in the year.

She will have some regard to making her guests to her afternoon tea acquainted if they have not already met. The name is also indicative of the coffee table height of sitting room furniture. It all depends upon the hostess. For the full victorian experience you might want to include a glass of sherry or a nice claret.

By the late victorian era afternoon tea was again mostly a pastime of the idle rich. As the victorian era dawned in england tea was a commodity but by the end of the era it formed the foundation for a closely followed ritual of grand proportions. By the late victorian era afternoon tea was again mostly a pastime of the idle rich. It fulfilled the purposes of socializing event planning introductions informal business meetings as well as a perfect platform for gossip which was a major pastime of the day.

In previous centuries dinner had been served early to mid afternoon but towards the end of the georgian era it had slipped back to 5 or 6 o clock. If she is a wise woman she will limit her guests to the afternoon tea to the number her house can accommodate with ease and have her hours long enough to avoid all coming at the same time. This 4pm tea ritual became known as low tea because it was served in the low point of the afternoon. The tea time snack originally designed by the british was a way of fighting off hunger pains.

Even in the victorian era cucumber sandwiches were on the afternoon tea menu.