How a royal's 'sinking feeling' sparked the delicious tradition of afternoon tea
If you've ever found yourself feeling a little peckish in the seemingly endless hours between lunch and dinner, chances are you have treated yourself to a little afternoon tea.
But have you ever wondered about the origins of afternoon tea, also known as high tea?
Well, it seems we have royalty to thank for the inclusion of an extra meal to break up a long day.
The tradition of afternoon tea dates back to about 1840 in England, when Queen Victoria's friend, Anna Maria, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, complained of a "sinking feeling" during the afternoon.
READ MORE: Scientists' controversial verdict on age-old scone debate
Anna Maria, Duchess of Bedford, has been credited with the introducing afternoon or 'high' tea. Getty
She started requesting a small meal of cake, bread and butter to accompany her afternoon cup of tea as a pick me up between lunch, which was served at noon, and dinner, at 8pm.
The duchess soon invited others to join the ritual, including her friend, the Queen, who approved of the tradition so much she adopted it herself.
Soon, the Queen was hosting official tea receptions. From there, the serving of afternoon tea gradually made its way from the wealthy upper classes down to the middle classes.
The word 'high' is said to be a reference to taking afternoon tea on a high-backed chair at a table, instead of being seated on a low chair in the parlour.
As time went on, high teas became decadent affairs that included a mix of sweet and savoury items served with a cup of tea, usually from a pot, or even better, a glass of bubbles.
The Ritz London has been serving afternoon tea for more than 100 years.
There, you can dine on a selection of finely cut sandwiches, freshly baked scones with Cornish clotted cream and strawberry preserve, pastries and cakes, all washed down with one of the 20 different types of loose-leaf tea on offer, or if you prefer, a glass of Champagne.
READ MORE: The last-minute call made Jamie Oliver a star
Afternoon tea has a surprising royal link. Getty Images/iStockphoto
But it does not come cheap, with a traditional afternoon tea, sans the alcohol, costing $147 per person.
You also need to dress for the occasion, with men required to wear a jacket and tie, and neither men or women permitted to wear jeans, sportswear, shorts or trainers.
High teas are also popular in Australia.
The Tea Room in the historic Queen Victoria Building serves high tea each day. It includes sweet and savoury pastries, finger sandwiches, scones with preserve and cream and tea or coffee for $75 per person. You can also add a glass of bubbly or a cocktail if you choose.
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.
