5 O’Clock Tea by David Comba Adamson (1859-1926), n.d.
(© Dundee Art Gallery and Museum)
Have you ever thought about the many types of tea? And how, during a Victorian tea, the rules were a bit more strict than simply getting a tea you like the taste of and drinking it? And did you know there were several types of tea events? I can’t wait to go into this with you!
Before it was time for tea, the lady of the house would choose if she was going to serve a black, green, herbal of white tea. Often, this was dependent on her menu. She’d choose the best type of tea, as well as the individual tea itself to compliment whatever she was serving. It also might depend on the time of day her tea was.
Usually, a Victorian Tea was served as an afternoon tea or a high tea. A nursery tea existed as well, however! Let me tell you a little about each of those.
An afternoon tea was taken around 4pm. This was a lighter meal, and the purpose was to tide over a socialite until her dinnertime, which was often 8pm. It was served on the three tier stand we are familiar with. Afternoon tea would consist of a tier of sandwiches, like ham, cucumber, or egg, a tier of sweets like cakes, and a tier with scones. Of course, there would be jam or clotted cream, along with tea. Afternoon tea was also called low tea, because it was served at a low table.
Nursery tea was also served then, at 4pm. This was a children’s version of afternoon tea, but they were not served cake, unless it was a birthday or special holiday. Instead, their menu would be toast, cucumber sandwiches, scones, biscuits, and spreads, such as butter or jam.
Now, high tea is interesting. When we think of high tea, don’t we all sort of imagine the society ladies of the time? I know I do. But…high tea wasn’t taken by the high society ladies! It was usually served 5pm to 6pm, and was a heavier meal, for the working class. There would be something hearty, like shepherd’s pie, sandwiches, bread, cheese, tarts, pie, and of course the tea. Sometimes, because there was meat served, it was also called meat tea.
Let’s talk about tea now! There are far more black, green, herbal, and white teas than I imagined! Instead of giving you a huge list to read, let me just mention a few from each category, and why they might be a good pairing if you create your own afternoon tea.
Black Teas:
If you are looking for just a “regular” tea, seek out Ceylon and India tea. For one with a full bodied taste and a beautiful red-gold color, look for Darjeeling. English Breakfast, tea wasn’t reserved just for breakfast time. Earl Gray was a good medium strength tea, and went well with most teas. Finally, Keemum has a strong fragrance and body that compliments many meals. There are a good number more black teas, so have fun finding a new one!
Herbal Teas:
Some of the popular herbal teas served would have been hibiscus, which is a beautiful colored bright tea. Lavender (not my favorite) was also popular, and it is a strong tea, but smells sweet. We might all be familiar with peppermint or spearmint (I adore everything spearmint!) but rosehips were also very popular for tea, and are a wonderful fragrant, beautiful colored tea. While there are many other herbal teas, those are a few to consider.
Green Teas:
I will preface this with, I’ve not tried many green teas. I’d like to try more. While learning about the types of green teas that were served at afternoon tea, I discovered a few that sound quite lovely! What do you think? Chinese Flower, is an infusion of rosebuds, marigold, and cornflower, yet it tastes citrusy! Gyokuro is a jade-colored tea with a strong herbal flavor. Jasmine is a mild green tea with a floral taste. It’s also part of the Oolong family, as it’s a blend of green and black tea, though most consider it a green tea. Sencha Kyoto is a tea made from cherry blossoms and is light, sweet, and refreshing.
White Teas:
Did you know white teas only come from China? Also, instead of using an entire tea leaf, they just use the tips! That makes white tea more expensive. I have four suggestions for you when it comes to white tea. Mutan white is a delicate, light tea. Pai Mu Tan is a golden color and sweet tasting. Another sweet white tea is Yin Chen, which is also called a silver needle tea. The final white tea is SowMee, which is not a sweet tea, but has a more toasty, robust flavor.
Don’t some of those teas sound lovely? I learned this years ago, when I went into a Twinning’s Tea store. Different teas have different brew temperatures and lengths, so be sure to follow any instructions for the particular type of tea you get.
And before I go, speaking of tea, I’d like to invite you to my reader community. April 11th, we’re having a virtual tea party! I’ll be there with two other authors as we celebrate an upcoming release. There will be games and giveaways, so I hope to see you there.
Just pop in here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/267880235688121
I have a question for you now! Do you have a favorite type of tea? I made iced sweet tea daily, I have a huge half gallon jug for it. Sometimes it’s blueberry, sometimes it’s mint, I have so many teas in the cabinet! What kind do you like?
Sarah is wife to an amazing teacher and mom to two boys who are growing up just a little too fast. She spends her days working and writing in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.
My daughter and I use a mix of Lemon Zinger, Raspberry or Wildberry Zinger, Green Tea, and Hawthorne/Hibiscus (this one helps blood pressure). Once brewed, honey and lemon are added to taste. It’s good hot or iced. We drink it all year long.
Oh yum! That sounds delicious!
I usually drink English Breakfast and Earl Grey daily.
Those a good teas!
I drink decaf green or black tea sweetened with honey every day in a glass handled quart jar!
Oh that’s a fun way to drink it!
I make two gallons of unsweetened tea every two to four days all year round. The only flavoring I add to the gallon jugs is lemon juice.
To my glass I might add a splash of whatever other juice might be in the fridge, or I’ll make a couple of cups of hibiscus tea and slash some of that in my tea.
I think I want to try it that way too, adding a little of the hibiscus tea to it!
I add too much sugar to tea, so I’ve decided to quit drinking it. However, Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea is great!! Winnie Griggs also like it, so I’m in great company with it!!
Ohh now that one sounds very nice! I’m going to have to get some. I’ve tried to reduce how much sugar goes into my tea too, and it’s hard!
My go to is a blend of Strawberry Basil, Blueberry Lavender and Hibiscus Watermelon for Iced tea. I take it with me to school every day and always have it in the refrigerator.
Those sound very tasty!
I like peach /green tea.
I like peach too!
Just regular lipton black tea,brewed some what strong,and made into iced tea.
It’s a classic, and you can’t go wrong with it!
I like regular sweet tea, especially loaded with ice on a hot summer Texas day, but during winter I enjoy a nice cup chamomile tea
Iced tea on a hot day is very refreshing!
I only drink black teas. I do not like coffee. My favorite is Darjeeling and Joy Tea.
Oh, I am not familiar with Joy tea! I will need to look that up!
I am a Tetley tea gal. I drink it by the a few pots a day. In summer I do like to do Ice Tea. I usually have a jug of it in the fridge. I take the left over tea from my pot and put it in the jug, then when I pour it in a glass I had lemon and sweetener. I don’t had the sweetener to the jug.
And I do love an afternoon tea….
That sounds a good way to do it!!
I don’t drink a lot of tea but I love peach tea.
I like peach too! It’s one of the few I think you can sweeten or not and it’s just as good.
My favorite teas are Earl Grey, English Breakfast, and mint tea. I’m not fond of iced tea, especially sweetened iced tea. Definitely a hot tea drinker?
Ohh mint is one of my favorites! It’s good at any temperature!
Good Earth Sweet & Spicy – my absolute favorite tea. It’s sometimes seasonal, so I tend to stock up on it. I enjoy letting the tea bag steep as I drink it- the flavor gets stronger. I have even enjoyed it cold as I stepped away from my cup.
I’ve seen that one but never tried it! I need to look for it!
I prefer hot tea and my favorite is Harney & sons cinnamon tea, although I occasionally will drink other teas. I like green tea as well.
I need to look for that one! I like cinnamon teas too!
I am not a tea (or coffee) drinker. My Dad and brother enjoy trying new teas. My boys always have a jug of iced tea in the frig but it’s just the typical black tea. In the summer, they make sun tea. They get their love of tea from their Dad.
I bet you have another favorite drink! Sun tea is fun to make. Mine doesn’t always turn out though!
Hi, I like the Acai Blueberry green tea, it is really good. Every day I have reg. sweet tea though. Have a great day and a great rest of the week.
That sounds tasty!!
Very interesting, Sarah! I went to high tea in Denver, Colorado at The Brown Palace and it was delightful. I’d love to have this at least once a week but we don’t have a place here in Lubbock. For hot tea, I prefer the herbal kind. Iced tea would be black tea. I love the peach iced tea! All of it is such a treat and makes me feel special. I enjoyed your post.
I bet that was a wonderful tea!! I wish we could have fancy teas and the treats every day!
I love teas. I love to make my own hot/iced teas. I especially love blueberry/berries and citrus
Ohhh berry teas are just the best!!
For iced teas, I like a fruit tea like raspberry or a mixed berry and always lemon. For hot tea, I like a variety. I usually fix Irish Breakfast. Others I enjoy are lemon, orange spice, Earl Grey, and ginger.
I will be out of town for a doctor’s visit on the 11th. Hopefully I will be able to catch some of your Tea Party.
Aw! Yes, sweet iced tea is a must for us here in the south. It’s a regular drink with meals or just sitting on the back porch reading a good book.