Afternoon tea is a tradition that originated in the UK, why has it become popular in China?

Under the influence of economic globalization, countries cooperate with each other to develop their economies together. With the exchange and expansion of information, the exchange and collision between cultures are indispensable. So it's no surprise that afternoon tea, as one of the Western cultural traditions, has been integrated into China.

Because afternoon tea is a kind of leisure, people didn't know that there was this way before, and when they knew about it, they began to enjoy this kind of leisure.

Afternoon tea is considered a symbol of noble cultural lifestyle in China, a lifestyle pursued by those who pursue quality life, and the beauty and deliciousness of afternoon tea attract Chinese.

The birth of afternoon tea in England was related to the late evening meal time at that time.

The tradition of afternoon tea, which originated in England in the 19th century, is said to have been created in 1840 by the Duchess of Bedford, a good friend of Queen Victoria, who often felt hungry between lunch and dinner, so she ordered her servants to prepare refreshments and take them to the boudoir to enjoy.

Traditional English afternoon refreshments are often placed on three tiers of silver tray racks. A set of English afternoon tea must have four components: tea, sandwich, scone and dessert.

Finger-sized savory sandwiches are usually placed on the bottom of the tray rack, mainly in classic flavors such as cucumber, cheese, salmon, etc. The middle layer of the tray is generally placed with scones.

On the top of the tray rack are usually French desserts such as cakes, mousses, fruit tarts, etc., which is where the hotel or restaurant can get creative.

British Afternoon Tea Trilogy:

Step 1: Enjoy a delicious snack.

Part 2: Appreciate the exquisite tea utensils.

Part 3: Tea tasting.

Etiquette for afternoon tea in the UK.

1. The most orthodox time to drink afternoon tea is four o'clock in the afternoon (commonly known as low tea).

2. In the Victorian era, men wore tuxedos and women wore robes.

At the annual formal afternoon tea at Buckingham Palace, the male guests still wear tuxedos, top hats and umbrellas; Women wear daytime dresses and must wear hats.

3. Usually the hostess wears formal clothes to serve the guests in person.

It is not necessary to use....Only then did the maid assist to show respect to the guests.

4. Generally speaking, the special tea for afternoon tea is Qimen black tea, Darjeeling and Earl Grey tea, Ceylon black tea, if you drink milk tea, you add milk first and then tea.

5. The bent brother dim sum of the orthodox English afternoon tea is served on a three-layer dim sum porcelain plate, with sandwiches on the first layer, traditional English dim sum scone on the second floor, and cakes and fruit tarts on the third floor; Eat from the bottom up.

As for the way to eat Scone, you can first apply jam and then cream, and then apply the next bite after eating one bite.

6. Dim sum eating etiquette.

From light to heavy, from salty to sweet.

The order in which the refreshments are eaten should follow the rule that the taste is light to heavy, and from salty to sweet.

Try a salty sandwich to let your taste buds taste the food come true, then sip a few sips of the fragrant red spring tea.

Next is the English muffin with jam or cream, allowing a little sweetness to slowly spread in the mouth, and finally the sweet and thick fruit tart will lead you to taste the best of the afternoon tea yourself

7. Rigorous attitude.

This is a gentleman and lady etiquette, and the most important thing is that at that time, because tea almost relied on Chinese imports, the British had an unparalleled love and respect for tea, so it was inevitable to reveal a rigorous attitude in the process of drinking afternoon tea.

Even, in order to prevent the tea from being stolen, there is also a kind of locked tea cabinet, which is resistant to every time the afternoon tea time comes, and the maid is entrusted to take the key to open the cabinet to get tea.

8. Appreciate the exquisite tea utensils.

Essential tea set for afternoon tea:

1.Teacup.

2.Teapot.

3.Three-layer (two-store) dim sum pan.

4.Sugar jars.

5.Milk cup bottles.

6.Insulating cotton cover.

7.Teaspoon.

8.Tray (for serving tea).

9.Hourglass (timer).

10.Tea strainer.

11.Tea measuring spoon.

12.Rattle.

13.Lace tablecloth.

14.Heater.

15.Personal snack plate.

16.Jam and cream dish.

17.Cutlery (cream knives, cake tongs, cake spatulas, forks, etc.).

18.Tea Residue Bowl.

19.Porcelain hot water.

In the Victorian era of England in 1840, Anna, Duchess of Bedford, England, was bored every afternoon, thinking that there was still some time before the formal and elaborate dinner party, and she felt a little hungry, so she asked the maid to prepare a few slices of toast, cream and tea to satisfy her stomach.

Later, Ms. Anna invited a few close friends to enjoy a relaxing afternoon with tea and delicate snacks, but she did not expect that for a while, this behavior became popular in the aristocratic social circle at that time, and celebrities and ladies flocked to it. Until today, an elegant and comfortable afternoon tea culture has been formed, and it has also become the orthodox "British black tea culture", which is also the origin of the so-called "Victorian afternoon tea".

Afternoon tea was originally just enjoyed at home in high-end, elegant tea utensils, but it gradually evolved into a social tea party for entertaining friends, and then derived various etiquette, and the form has been simplified considerably. Although afternoon tea has been simplified, the correct way of brewing tea, the elegance of tea when drinking, and the hearty refreshments continue to be passed down as a tradition of afternoon tea.

In the English Victorian Afternoon Tea tradition, it is absolutely essential to serve guests in the best rooms in the home (such as solon) and the finest porcelain, and the finest teas and delicate pastries are the protagonists of the afternoon tea. There is a melodious classical ** foil, and you can spend an elegant and leisurely time with your friends in a relaxed mood.

It's a very relaxing way to relax.

The cultural connotation of the life of the Orthodox English Victorian Afternoon Tea in the era of Queen Victoria (1837-1901 AD), which was the most powerful era of the British Empire. In this era, culture and art are booming, and people are obsessed with the pursuit of the connotation of art and culture and exquisite taste of life.

In the United Kingdom, which is known for its strict etiquette requirements, afternoon tea has gradually produced a variety of etiquette requirements and habits. Today, the etiquette of afternoon tea has been simplified a lot, but there are still some traditions that must be maintained and followed:

The most orthodox time to drink afternoon tea is four o'clock in the afternoon, which is commonly known as high tea.

Generally speaking, the special teas for afternoon tea are Keemun black tea, Ceylon black tea, and Earl Grey black tea. If you drink milk tea, you should add milk first and then tea.

Afternoon tea is a comprehensive art, simple but not shabby, gorgeous but not vulgar, and needs to be paired with exquisite porcelain tea sets.

Authentic English Afternoon Tea is served on a three-tiered porcelain pastry plate: sandwiches on the first floor, traditional English pastry scone on the second floor, and cakes and fruit tarts on the third floor. Remember to savor the refreshments from the bottom up, following the rule of light to heavy, salty to sweet.

Among them, the way to eat scone is to apply jam first, then cream, and then apply the next bite after eating a bite.

Traditional English afternoon tea is the second most social event after the dinner party, and it is very particular about posture. The teacup should be handled gently, and the traditional etiquette is to pinch the handle with the thumb and forefinger, and not to put your fingers into the cup ring. Try not to keep the wrists of your hands close to your body, or hide them so that people can't see them at all, this posture means that you are closing yourself off and it is very rude.

When someone is talking, look at them gently to show that you are concerned. The phone rings, if the other person has something to say in the middle of the conversation, you can't rudely interrupt directly, you have to say sorry to the other person and answer. In fact, these are also etiquettes that need to be followed on other occasions.

In fact, afternoon tea is also a kind of British culture, most British people will make a good pot of tea at home, serve exquisite handicap and fruit, in the courtyard or by the window, in the warm daylight and friends for a while, relaxed and comfortable. And following the traditions of afternoon tea can help you immerse yourself in this British culture.

Like Chinese tea drinking, the theme of English afternoon tea is of course inseparable from tea and tea utensils. In the English Victorian afternoon tea tradition, a fine tea set is very important. A complete set of English afternoon tea must have a ceramic teapot, cup set, sugar pot, milk cup, seven-inch personal snack plate, snack stand, snack plate, and small bowl with tea dregs, all of which are painted porcelain on a white background.

In addition, tea strainers and small saucers with strainers, teaspoons, cream knives, cake forks, and two- or three-tier snack racks must be polished silverware. Even the teapot had to be silver. It is said that in the United Kingdom, where sunlight is lacking, silver tea sets often reveal people's desire for sunshine.

In terms of the choice of tea, generally speaking, orthodox English afternoon tea will mostly choose Darjeeling tea, Earl Grey tea or breakfast tea. The tea leaves are brewed directly, and then the tea residue is filtered out with a tea drain and poured into the arms to drink, and only the first brew is drunk. As for teabags, they were basically not used by the upper class at that time (but now it seems that there are not so many of them).

If you drink milk tea, you should add milk first and then tea. The freshly brewed black tea and milk set out a warm temperature, take a sip, and after a long time, you can still taste a faint fragrance between your lips and teeth.

Just go to the UK and feel it.