How to Enjoy Afternoon Tea

A British tradition, afternoon tea is basically an excuse to have a fancy snack around 4 pm (not to be confused with high tea, which happens later in the day). Even if you are not in Britain, you can still enjoy this tradition in some finer hotels or with a makeshift celebration of your own.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. If you are in Britain, you will be able to get tea service at many restaurants and cafes. If you would like a more upscale experience, visit a high-end hotel (you may need reservations for tea).
2. Outside of Britain, several venues that serve tea in the British style. The Ritz Carlton and Four Seasons hotels are good bets for this. The Fairmont Hotel in Victoria, Canada, is another famous location for tea (the hotel even created a China pattern specifically for a visit by the Queen).
3. Go all out. While dress for tea varies (you should check with the venue before arriving, tea is a wonderful time to get dressed up and enjoy oneself. Some hotels also offer teas specifically geared toward children, who often enjoy wearing their best outfits.
4. Do your homework. In addition to finding out what you should wear, check that the venue is appropriate for children (if you plan on bringing them), the costs per person, etc. Also, many venues require reservations, so book these accordingly.
5. If you cannot afford attending a public tea (or don't want to go to the trouble), there is no reason you can't have afternoon tea in your own home. This could be an opportunity to whip out your wedding China and invite over the neighbors, or you could simply brew yourself a cup of tea when you get home from work. If you would like to be traditional about it, there are many cookbooks and websites dedicated to how to serve tea (and what foods to serve with it).

Tips & Warnings

• The terms can be confusing. "High tea" is technically a meal served later in the day than afternoon tea is served. Some venues use the term to refer to afternoon tea, however, using "high" to connote "fancy." Don't let this error confuse you.
• Although tea is not as formal an affair as it once was, it is still valued, particularly in the finer institutions. If you are bringing children to tea, this might be a good opportunity to teach them how to conduct themselves in more formal venues.