Over the years, tea has become an inevitable part of many people’s lives. They claim that their body doesn’t function as usual if they miss their scheduled tea. If you also fall in this kind, you must have heard about the afternoon tea or the high tea. But there are several facts associated with high tea that you may not be aware of. To increase your knowledge of the traditional afternoon or high tea, we have collected a few interesting facts about it.
So without further ado, let’s see the facts.
#1 The Menu Is Different For Everyone
If you think that high tea menus are the same for everyone, then you are wrong. The type of foods and tea included in the list depends on the class you belong to. For example, working-class labourers usually include a single snack or baked food item with their tea. With the rise in class, you see the menu diversifying and becoming more attractive. You can find cookies, better sandwiches, and cupcakes in the high-class menus.
#2 The Difference Between High Tea And Low Tea
We have used the terms high tea and afternoon tea interchangeably here, but technically it is wrong. Afternoon tea is stated as low tea, which is majorly a part of the posher classes. It is a light snack that they enjoy before their main dinner. The reason for it being called a “low tea” is because it was served on a low table. On the other hand, high tea is a part of the working-class man’s meal. Rather than just a snack, high tea is more of a main meal for them. So it includes food accordingly, such as meat, bread, and pie. They are generally served on higher tables or platforms.
#3 There Is A Specific Time For It
Both high tea and afternoon tea are not something that you can consume whenever you have time during the afternoon. They have their specific timing of the day. As high tea falls more in the main meal schedule of working-class, its schedule lies between 5 pm to 7 pm. Contrastingly, being a light snack, afternoon tea is served between 2 pm to 5 pm. Most restaurants follow this rule and serve the beverages accordingly.
#4 You Don’t Need To Follow The ‘Pinkies Up’ Rule
You might have noticed that people find it a part of tea drinking etiquette to point the pinky finger out while lifting the cup. The origin of this habit comes from a noblewoman who used to do this. Trying to copy her, other women also started pointing their pinkies out, and it became a tradition in no time. However, you don’t need to follow this rule in today’s time. Instead, you will have to hold the cup with your thumb up, and fingers rolled down.
#5 You Can Make The Tea Better By Changing Preparation Sequence
Yes, the sequence of preparing tea also helps in making its taste better. Earlier, people used to put their milk in the last to show that their china cups were stronger and didn’t break with hot milk. But you can even follow it today to make your tea taste better. Plus, you can judge the strength of your tea more appropriately this way.
Now that you know these facts about high tea, you can show these off in front of your friends when you meet next time for high or low tea.