Recently I was lucky enough to spend the weekend with my sister in Cape Town. On a lovely Saturday afternoon she treated me to the timeless tradition of taking afternoon tea! We enjoyed High Tea at the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel (also known in Capetonian terms as the Pink Lady) ☺️
Apart from all the delectable treats and eats on offer, (as well as live piano music in the background) – we had an absolutely brilliant afternoon! We sat just chatting and catching up over copious amounts and numerous cups of tea…
It got me thinking that the British really were onto something with their tradition of tea drinking!
Of course, for those interested – we must state that the definition of afternoon tea and high tea are different. A bit more about that in a minute…
So – now for a brief look back at the history of tea drinking….
A brief history of afternoon tea
The English custom of drinking tea in the afternoon was made popular by Duchess Anna Maria, the 7th Duchess of Windsor. She is said to have complained about “having that sinking feeling” later on in the afternoon. At the time it was customary for people to only have two main meals a day – breakfast and dinner. Initially the Duchess’ solution was to take afternoon tea and a light snack privately in her boudoir.
After a while, however, she used to invite friends to join her for this afternoon tea. This “tea-taking” tradition proved incredibly popular! The story goes that when she was in London, she would send calling cards to her friends inviting them to join her for “tea and a walking in the fields”. Other hostesses quickly followed her example! Thus the popularity of afternoon tea became substantial enough to move “taking tea” into the drawing room. This is the beginning of the tradition of afternoon tea.
The difference between ‘afternoon tea’ and ‘high tea’
The working class implemented the practise of high tea. Originally it was served as a meal for the working man, and was taken on a stool, standing or sitting down at a table. Thus the term “high” tea! This meal usually consisted of a mug of tea, bread, some vegetables, cheese and occasionally meat. Definitely not the beautiful sweet treats and cucumber sandwiches that we associate with high tea today!
However, the more likely explanation for the beginning of the tradition of taking afternoon tea is as a result of more complicated social and economic changes. These changes were as a result of industrialisation. Luncheon existed to fill the gap between breakfast and dinner, but it was always only a light meal. An afternoon snack was a great way to keep the hunger at bay until dinner, as dinner was being served later than at any previous time.
How the tradition of taking tea has evolved
This tradition of afternoon tea is quintessentially British. Even today it is a defining ritual of English social life. When it was introduced it also marked the beginning of all manner of fashionable china and beautiful silver tea services as well as scrumptious snacks to accompany it.
Initially afternoon tea was a purely familial tradition. However, by the end of the 19th century the tradition of serving afternoon tea had been adopted by large hotels all over Britain. Today afternoon tea can be enjoyed all around the world.
So now that we’ve looked at the history of afternoon tea and where it originated from – it’s time to get back to my afternoon spent drinking tea with my sister …☺️
Many hotels around the world offer amazing High or Afternoon tea’s (the phrase “High” or “afternoon” tea is now often used interchangeably). The Belmond Mount Nelson afternoon tea certainly did not disappoint …
We sat in the hotel’s lounge, overlooking the beautiful gardens. A menu of different teas was brought to our table, as well as savoury treats to enjoy for the afternoon. The sweet selection was buffet style – so so many many choices…!
It really was a delightful afternoon – one which definitely should be repeated more often and also got me thinking about what I would serve for an afternoon tea at my own home…
About afternoon tea at the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel
Tea at the Belmont Mount Nelson Hotel : Morning Tea: 9:30–11:30am, Price R285 p45 adult, R205 per child. Add a glass of Boschendal Brut or Brut Rose for R115. Afternoon Tea: 1–3pm or 3:30–5:30pm, Price R365 per adult, R205 per child…or a glass of French Champagne for R230. Evening Tea: 6–8:30pm, Price R365 per adult, R205 per child. Add a glass of Boschendal Brut or Brut Rose for R115.
For more info, please pop on over to https://www.belmond.com/hotels/africa/south-africa/cape-town/belmond-mount-nelson-hotel/afternoon-tea
I was a guest at the the Belmond Mount Nelson hotel afternoon tea – all thoughts and opinions are my own.
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