The idea of afternoon tea as a meal and a social event is universally attributed to Anna Maria Stanhope, Duchess of Bedford (1783 – 1857), wife of the seventh duke. She apparently often experienced what was commonly called “a sinking feeling” between lunch and evening meal.
Thinking that a little substance might help, she began drinking tea and nibbling small savory treats in the late afternoon. In the first half of the nineteenth century, luncheon was a small meal taken during the middle of the day, and dinner was often not served until eight o’clock at night. Th
e duchess found that taking tea with little food in late afternoon was so beneficial and pleasant that she soon begin inviting friends to join her at Belvoir Castle for this small afternoon meal, around five o’clock. The menu typically included small cakes, sandwiches of bread and butter various sweets and of course tea.This practice had proven so successful and pleasant at her summer residence that when the family returned to London in the fall, Anna continued it, inviting friends for “tea and walk in the fields”. The custom caught in with others, and soon many people copied her idea.
It was probably not until the middle of the nineteenth century that late afternoon tea became an established custom throughout the country, and then, still only among the well to do. Queen Victoria loved tea, and her enthusiasm for the afternoon tea party made it even more popular.
How afternoon Tea started?
