Afternoon Tea Anyone?

I could discuss tea for years, but just one more post (for now). Is it high tea or afternoon tea? Apparently the British afternoon tea is similar to what Americans call high tea. In fact, the British rarely partake of high tea anymore. Just another way Americans change the words and meanings around, like napkin instead of serviette or stroller instead of pram.

So whether you are considering high tea in the US or afternoon tea in the UK, you'll be served nearly the same thing. First a selection of fine loose-leaf teas, brewed in individual pots will be steeped for five minutes or so, before pouring in lovely teacups. Cream poured before or after the tea? It doesn't matter anymore, but not so long ago it quickly revealed your social standing. Those of the lower class poured cream in first, so that the hot tea would not chip the glaze or paint on the cup. The upper class, wanting to separate themselves, made it fashionable to pour the cream in after the tea.

Afternoon Tea: Super Irish Breakfast loose-leaf tea & egg salad on toast. 

Often a three-tiered tray will appear with sandwiches, scones and pastries, which is consumed in that order. Sandwiches usually consist of egg, cucumber and chicken salad, but in Scotland it's not unheard of to have fish paste or smoked salmon.  Creamed scones plain or dressed with fruits and nuts are paired with jam and devonshire cream (clotted cream). Linzer cookies, cupcakes, shortbread, cakes, tarts and sweet breads are all popular in the final section of afternoon tea. The amount served varies from a light afternoon snack to a full meal. 

Some of my personal favorites: Millionaire's Shortbread, Butterscotch Tart and Dundee Cake (notice they're all desserts).