What is the Difference Between High Tea and Afternoon Tea

The main difference between high tea and afternoon tea is that afternoon tea offers more substantial food items than high tea. High tea typically includes fare like cakes, pastries, scones, and finger sandwiches, while afternoon tea includes bread and dishes made with meat, fish, and eggs.

High tea and afternoon tea are two meals that have their origins in Britain. Most modern upscale hotels offer tea meals that contain elements of both high tea and afternoon tea.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Afternoon Tea
     – Definition, Features, Food
2. What is High Tea
     – Definition, Features, Food
3. Difference Between High Tea and Afternoon Tea
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Afternoon Tea, High Tea

What is Afternoon Tea

High tea is a British tea tradition that started in the 19^th century. This tradition was popular among the upper classes, especially with noble ladies. Traditionally, it is served around 3 pm or 4 pm. It was introduced to fill the long interval between lunch and dinner (at that time, dinner was typically served late). Today, afternoon tea is usually a rare treat that involves various fancy food items.

Moreover, traditionally, afternoon tea offered delicate finger sandwiches, cakes, and sweet pastries. Scones with jam and clotted cream are the later introduction to this spread,  later in the twentieth century. Also, traditionally, all these food items are served on a three-tiered serving stand. In modern times, a traditional British afternoon tea menu includes a range of teas, a selection of fresh finger sandwiches, various cakes and pastries, and warm scones with preserves and clotted cream. These sandwiches may include mixtures like cucumber, ham and mustard, coronation chicken, smoked salmon with cream cheese, and egg mayonnaise with cress. Moreover, the selection of tea may include Earl Grey, Darjeeling, Assam, etc.

What is High Tea

High tea is a meal that people eat in the late afternoon or early evening. In 19^th century Britain, the working class usually worked away from home, and tea time had to wait until the end of work. By that hour, tea was served with heavier food than cakes and sandwiches. Workers needed good nourishment after a hard day of labor. Therefore, this tea meal usually consisted of hot and filling food like meat, with a good strong pot of tea.

The name high tea actually comes from the chairs people used for this meal. During high tea, people sat in high back dining chairs at the dinner table. This was in contrast with afternoon tea, which was typically served in low parlor chairs or in the garden.

Difference Between High Tea and Afternoon Tea

Definition

High tea is a meal you can have in the late afternoon or early evening, while afternoon tea is a small meal you can have in the afternoon.

Timing

Traditionally, the serving time of afternoon tea is around 3 pm or 4 pm, while that of high tea is later than that, in the late afternoon or early evening.

Type of Food

High tea typically includes fare like cakes, pastries, scones, and finger sandwiches, while afternoon tea includes bread and dishes made with meat, fish, and eggs, which are more substantial and filling.

Seating

During high tea, people sit in high back dining chairs at the dinner table, while afternoon tea was typically served in low parlor chairs or in the garden.

Conclusion

The main difference between high tea and afternoon tea is that afternoon tea offers more substantial food items than high tea. High tea typically includes fare like cakes, pastries, scones, and finger sandwiches, while afternoon tea includes bread and dishes made with meat, fish, and eggs.

Reference:

1. “What Is Afternoon Tea.” Plum Deluxe.
2. “The Afternoon Tea Menu.” AfternoonTea.co.uk.
3. “What Is High Tea?” Food Republic.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Afternoon Tea (217051765)” By Stephanieriddell – Imported from 500px (archived version) by the Archive Team. (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia