Keep Calm – It’s Tea Time!

Tea time in England, where I grew up, was not something that was reserved for a “special occasion” or getting together with friends but was a meal that was enjoyed EVERY day!

In fact, young children grow up in England having “tea” and quickly realizing that it is a part of their every day schedule.  “Why not here in America?”, you might ask.  “Why didn’t they bring that tradition over with them when they sailed the “ocean blue” and found America?”  Well, tea time did not become a part of the English way of life until the mid-1800’s when, apparently, Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford found that she became a little hungry in the afternoon and could not wait until dinner.  Traditionally, dinner was not served until 8:30 or 9:00 in the evening and the Duchess often became hungry, especially in the summer when dinner was served even later.   It was just not fashionable to eat early!  Well, the Duchess’ tummy got the better of her and she ordered a small meal of bread, butter, and other niceties, such as cakes, tarts, and biscuits, to be brought secretly to her boudoir.   This was all done very quietly as she was a little embarrassed by it but when she was found out, everyone embraced the idea and afternoon tea became the “thing” to do!   Certainly, the fashion took a while to catch on throughout the classes but catch on it did and, over time, it became part of the British lifestyle.

When I was at boarding school in England, every day at 4:oo pm the gong would go for tea.  We would all go to the dining room, grace would be said, and we would sit down and have our “tea”.  It was not a huge meal but bread, butter, jam, and a sweet of some kind – maybe a sweet roll or cake – and, of course, tea!

Tea, as a drink, had been enjoyed by the English for two or three centuries before the “afternoon tea” became popular. See more about the introduction of the actual drink to England here.  As mentioned in that previous Post, the remedy for everything in England is a cuppa tea.  It is also used to celebrate!  Tea is just enjoyed for everything!

Back to the actual “tea time” as a meal.  Oftentimes, tea will consist of merely a cup of tea, or a cup of tea and a “biscuit” as they are called in England.  (Here is the United States, they would be called “cookies”.)  If you are invited over to your girlfriend’s for a cup of tea, you might be served more than that – there might be small tomato sandwiches and cucumber sandwiches and a jelly roll of some sort.  There might be crumpets or scones with jam. A while ago we shared the recipes for some of our favorite tea sandwiches and tea time sweets.

I had a wonderful time just the other day when I went over to my Chum, Robin’s house.  Three of her darling grand daughters were there and when they heard that JJ (that is what they call me) was coming over, they wanted to have a “tea party”.  Lolli (as they call Robin) and the girls, Savannah, Evangeline and Ashton, got busy making shortbread biscuits and, when I arrived, the table was all set for the five of us and I was greeted by three wonderful little voices saying, “Let’s have tea!”

Oh, such a joyous time.  Try it.  It does not have to be elaborate.  I know it will add to the love, joy and abundance in your lives.