Afternoon tea played a big role in how people gathered and spent their afternoons before other drinks became popular. Many thought the custom had faded for good, but it's thriving in luxury hotels and tea rooms that bring it into the modern era. These places serve rich oolongs and teas from around the world, bringing back classic blends that once made the ritual special.
Even traditional tea pairings are making a return, with favorites like scones and finger sandwiches served alongside the pots. Seasonal pastries often round out the spread, giving the ritual a reason to be enjoyed year-round.
A ritual steeped in history
Tea may not be the first drink linked to roaring parties in history, yet it quietly directed gatherings, shaped conversations and even dictated fashion as it stretched back to 17th‑century Paris. When Queen Catherine of Braganza brought her taste for tea from Portugal to England, it quickly won over the nobility.
By the Victorian era, tea was no longer an indulgence of a few but a fixture of households across social classes. Silver sets and porcelain cups became emblems of status, while imported leaves and fine linens signaled culture and class with every detail. Afternoon tea soon became a pastime that also reflected social hierarchy, revealing much about wealth and standing.
Fading from daily life
Americans' love for coffee has gradually overshadowed afternoon tea. Nearly 3 in 4 Americans drink coffee daily, and more than a third consume three to five cups a day, showing how essential it has become to daily routines.
Coffee also fits modern schedules better than a formal tea service. With half of Americans visiting coffee shops weekly, the appeal lies in convenience and quick energy, a preference that leaves little room for practices requiring time and preparation, which don't fit today's busy households.
Today, traces of the afternoon tea tradition remain in etiquette guides, prime tea services and the occasional formal gathering. These reminders preserve its legacy, showing how its elegance and sense of community still resonate with modern hosts and guests alike.
Afternoon tea in businesses
While daily afternoon tea has faded from many households, it remains a thriving tradition in upscale hotels and vintage tea rooms worldwide. London's Claridge's remains an icon of the ritual by adding its own twist of creativity with a menu served fresh each day. They also pair British specialties like smoked Scottish salmon and seasonal pastries with teas that range from rich oolong to the refreshingly complex Claridge's Blend.
Across the Atlantic, The Plaza Hotel in New York carries the tradition forward with its Palm Court, a destination that has hosted afternoon tea for more than 115 years. Redesigned with lush greenery and a soaring stained‑glass dome, the room pairs tea by Palais des Thes with a menu of refined American fare, which offers guests a timeless mix of heritage and modern elegance.
From these grand hotel settings, the tradition flows toward the merchants who bring it into everyday life. Upton Tea is a notable example, known for highlighting the global diversity of leaves and flavors that add depth to every pot. In doing so, it preserves the heart of the ritual by keeping the focus on tradition while still inviting new audiences to explore it.
Hosting your own at home
Bringing the ritual home shows how the lost art of afternoon tea can still flourish outside grand hotels. Hosts can set the mood in living rooms and gardens, using polished tables dressed with linens and flowers to recapture the same magic found in luxury tea service.
Attention to detail carries the experience, too, with thoughtful menus that mirror tradition while fitting into everyday life. Familiar teas define the spread, while playful twists such as matcha scones or herbal‑infused desserts keep it lively and fresh.
The result is a gathering that is both elegant and approachable. Guests sense the charm of history while enjoying an updated version that proves afternoon tea is still central to social life.
Classic menu pairings
Each afternoon tea menu carries staples that have defined the tradition for centuries. Scones with clotted cream serve as the highlight of the table, with their warm crumb and rich topping offering comfort while honoring tradition.
Petits fours, with their sponge and icing layers, follow as a treat for both the eye and the palate. They balance the savory selections with a lingering touch of sweetness after each bite.
The savory notes also step in with delicate finger sandwiches, often filled with cucumber or smoked salmon. Their neat shapes and subtle flavors embody both elegance and restraint.
Finally, cakes and biscuits, from sponge slices to buttery shortbread, complete the spread. Familiar and inviting, they turn a simple pot of tea into an occasion that celebrates both taste and ceremony.
Steeping into the future
Afternoon tea may no longer dictate fashion or fill parlors as it once did, but its spirit hasn't gone cold. From hotel domes to home kitchens, it continues to bring people together, offering connection in ways that quick routines often overlook. The ritual stands less as a relic and more as a well‑steeped pause, proving that classic customs can always find a second pour.
Jennifer Allen is a retired professional chef and long-time writer. Her work appears in dozens of publications, including MSN, Yahoo, The Washington Post and The Seattle Times. These days, she's busy in the kitchen developing recipes and traveling the world, and you can find all her best creations at Cook What You Love.
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