Etiquette and British Tea Traditions Decoding: High Tea, Low Tea, Afternoon Tea, and Tea

Tea culture has long been a cherished tradition around the world for many, with tea being the most consumed beverage after water. However, the terms "high tea," "low tea," "afternoon tea," and simply "tea," coined in the UK, often cause confusion for many. Let's unravel the distinctions between these gatherings to help you plan or attend your next tea party with confidence and understanding. This is tea etiquette after all.

Both high tea and afternoon tea share the afternoon setting, but the key difference lies in the timing. Afternoon tea, synonymous with low tea, graces tables around 4 pm in the UK (typically between 3 to 5 pm). High tea, on the other hand, makes its appearance later, usually between 5 and 7 pm.

Afternoon tea or low tea

Origins reveal another intriguing facet. Afternoon tea originated among the upper class, established by Lady Anna, Duchess of Bedford, embracing a more formal ambiance. High tea, with roots in the working class, exudes a more robust and down-to-earth atmosphere.

Culinary offerings show yet another contrast. Afternoon tea unveils an array of delicate pastries, dainty sandwiches, scones, and cakes. High tea steps up with heartier fare—think meat, potatoes, and vegetables—designed to satiate after a day of toil.

High tea

The names themselves offer subtle clues to the traditions. Afternoon tea, or "low tea," was traditionally enjoyed at a low table, evoking images of cozy gatherings by a fireside or in a garden. High tea, aptly named for its elevation, finds its place at a higher surface like a dining table or counter, a fitting end to the workday.

As laughter and conversation flow, hosting a tea party becomes a charming endeavour. However, understanding the distinction between afternoon tea and high tea is essential to avoid a faux pas.

Afternoon tea dazzles with dainty scones, tea sandwiches, and cakes, best enjoyed in the mid-afternoon. High tea, on the other hand, presents a heartier spread featuring meats, fish, eggs, breads, and desserts, akin to a light supper complemented by tea.

Tea as evening meal

The evening meal is sometimes referred to as “tea” in the UK, whether it includes tea or not. This is a light dinner and an everyday affair. The origin of this common expression lies in the concept of high tea and its interpretation by the working class.

Keep these differences in mind. While the terms may be used casually by some, the distinctions are striking. As you contemplate hosting a tea gathering, all types of tea parties provide a delightful way to savour teatime and entertain your guests, promising charming moments, culinary delights, and the option of a tea leaf reading with me.

After all, a well-planned tea party is a perfect occasion for tea leaf reading, laughter, conversation, and the joy of shared moments—a testament to the enduring charm of tea.

Etiquette and British Tea Traditions Decoding: High Tea, Low Tea, Afternoon Tea, and Tea

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Tea etiquette: A lesson in table napkins

This seemingly modest piece of cloth can speak volumes about you as soon as you sit at the table.

We will explore together how a British afternoon tea table napkin should be and how you should use it appropriately. Sit comfortably, with good posture and a straight back, hands on the lap, ready to learn.

The English word napkin originates from the Latin mappa, who turned into nappe, or tablecloth in old French, with the added suffix kin, a diminutive used in late Middle English.

The napkin uses and sizes have changed enormously through time, from a huge roll to clean the mouth, teeth and face in ancient times to a wrapping cloth for delicacies to be taken away. Its history is long and frankly astonishing, but here I set out only to give you some practical guidance for your quintessentially British afternoon tea.

Afternoon tea napkins are perfect cloth squares, sized between 12 to 15 inches (30.5cm to 38 cm). 

The clean and crisp square is usually made of cotton, linen or mixed fibre.

Traditionally, they are light in colour. However, depending on the occasion or the decor stronger colours may be used, particularly for a themed afternoon tea or a special celebration where hues could be significant.

A table napkin should be placed on your lap, folded in half with the hem inside, and with the crease folded towards you if you are a gentleman.

However, if you are lady, you want to place your folded napkin with the crease away from you. 

The benefit of the different placement will become apparent in a second. 

Dab your mouth with the napkin, never wipe, bringing the napkin to your mouth. Do not bend down to meet the table napkin, sit comfortably and upright.

The gentleman can gently dab using the inconspicuous side by the crease.

The lady can simply reach for the nearest corner, open it slightly, dabbing with the inside of the napkin. She then closes the napkin again and places it back on her lap. The napkin still looks pristine as the stains are inside.

If you need to take a break, excuse yourself from the table, and leave your napkin on your chair. This signals that you are coming back. Depending on the setting, gently push the chair under the table. 

When you sit down again, place your napkin on your lap as before.

The end of the afternoon tea will be prompted by the host/ess picking their napkin and placing it on the table to their left.

As soon as you are ready, pinch the napkin in the middle and place it on the table to your left too, with the seams toward you. 

The napkin is crumpled but in a somewhat neat way. Note that it touches the table only at the end of the afternoon tea.

I very much work in the traditional British way and proudly host afternoon teas with tea leaf reading. I enjoy it tremendously.

Get in touch to book your full afternoon tea experience!

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Tea Travels

The etiquette of accepting and enjoying a cup of tea around the world reflects the rich culture and social rituals of the place.

Here we will look at drinking tea in daily life, perhaps in a cafe, as a guest, or in a market, in a few countries.

From mint tea to an East Frisian tea cloud, from yerba mate to chai this is what you should do to behave like a local when consuming your drink.

This shared pleasure unites people and brings joy. Read on to be prepared for your trip around the globe!

Turkey

Native, strong black tea and flavoured apple tea are readily offered to guests everywhere.

So, expect it in shops and bazaar, where it will be made in a çaydanlik teapot (a Turkish version of the samovar) and served in small, curved and transparent glasses. The saucers are colourful and decorated.

You are meant to drink it without milk or cream. Locals enjoy dipping sugar cubes in the tea and sucking on them before they dissolve in the tea.

Always accept it, as a sign of courtesy, even if you only pretend to drink it.

Egypt

Tea will be offered to you if you are out shopping. As a hospitality gesture, you are expected to accept it, even if you don’t drink it.

If you are a guest of someone and out dining, be mindful of your companion's teacup or glass. If it’s less than half full, you are meant to refill it.

They are expected to do the same with you when it’s your turn. If they don’t, pour a little more into their cup or glass until they realise your need and perform their duty.

The Himalayas & Central Asia

Yak butter tea (or po cha, cha süma, sūyóu chá, gur gur cha, cha suskan) is made of black or

pu'erh tea, traditionally in brick or cake form; yak butter; salt.

These tea bricks or cakes were used as currency till WWII in many parts of Asia, like Siberia,

Tibet, Mongolia, Nepal, Bhutan, Turkmenistan, etc.

A personal po cha cup is a symbol of status and wealth. It can be made of gold, silver, inlaid with precious stones, etc. Even the most basic teacup will be beautifully decorated.

When offered one of these beautiful cups, you are meant to receive it with both hands to show respect, gratitude, and appreciation.

Do not finish the tea if you don’t want more, but leave some at the bottom. As your host is bound to look after you, they will continually refill it. 

China

As the largest producer and consumer of tea, in China offering tea is a rule and a pleasure.

If you are a guest, do not pour tea for yourself, but wait to be served. Also, wait for your host to start drinking before you take a sip.

In a restaurant, have the teapot lid open for a refill. Gently tap two fingers (index and middle) on the table to express your gratitude when served the tea.

India

Politely turn down the offer of a cup of tea. After allowing some insistence from the host, graciously accept the offer and drink the tea.

If you are outside drinking a chai tea sold by a street vendor, or chai wallah, crush the small clay cup, called kulhud, on the ground at the end. 

The hand-less cup will soon disintegrate without polluting.

Russia Russian tea is normally black and served with snacks (a selection of cheese, cured meats called sushkie, pretzels), varenye (a jelly-like fruit concoction), biscuits, or a piece of cake. The samovar would be your starting point: get some of your concentrated tea (zavarka) in the cup from the top teapot, then add boiling water. As a guest, you will be offered milk and sugar, although Russians like their tea plain. You are meant to merrily eat and drink.  Being served only a cup of tea, without food, would be considered very rude. Similarly, it would be seen as impolite not to accept the food.

Japan

Taste your tea, then decide if you really want to add anything, like sugar or milk. Slurping is acceptable.

Green tea, in different forms, is the most common beverage and it is drunk plain by Japanese people.

Here, Sencha is the most popular tea. When drinking, it’s polite to hold your tea bowl with both hands as a sign of respect.

Germany Prepared with strong Assam tea, an East Frisian tea cloud must be sipped without stirring. This is not to disturb the carefully arranged top layer, or cloud, made of cream. This tea ceremony implies that the sugar at the bottom represents the land; the tea brew the sea; and the top layer of cream the sky.

Argentina 

When passed a gourd of yerba mate (technically not a tea as it does not contain the camellia sinensis plant), accept it without saying ‘thank you’. The ‘thank you’ would signify 'pass' and you will be expected to pass it to your neighbour and not partake of it.

The gourd is refilled with hot water after each round by the cebador. Traditionally, it moves anticlockwise.

Do not stir the yerba mate with the special straining straw called bombilla. This metal straw has an inbuilt filter to separate the liquid from the small parts of the leaves.

Morocco

If enjoying your mint, or Maghrebi tea, in a shop or bazaar, make sure you empty your glass before you start haggling or discussing any sort of business.

Be prepared to be served three times and expect a slightly different flavour from the same brew. As for tradition "The first glass is as gentle as life, the second is as strong as love, the third is as bitter as death”.

Refusing a serving is unthinkable!

With thanks to Yosomono, Jaida Stewart, Davide Ragusa, Aditya Chinchure for some of the photographs

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