Afternoon Tea: A History explores the development of the afternoon tea meal, diving deeper than the popular tale of the Duchess of Bedford’s afternoon gatherings to find the meals that inspired those early afternoon teas. Julia Skinner carefully separates the fact and lore around the meal and sets the story of afternoon tea within its historic contexts. Recognizing that a meal’s birth and life never happen in a vacuum, the book sets aside the already well-documented conversations surrounding tea etiquette, instead exploring the social contexts that made the meal possible and popular, moving it from one small subset of the population to a widespread and beloved phenomenon, one that nearly died out at the end of the 20th century before experiencing a resurgence in the 21st. Afternoon tea is a meal that came of age during the British Empire’s most aggressive expansion, and as such became a meal that was transported to new continents with colonial forces. The book explores how this movement took place and uncovers the different ways tea and colonialism intersect in both the colonial and postcolonial worlds. It also looks at afternoon tea in America, a country that broke from the Empire before the meal was established as a set ritual, but which still has its own complex relationship with the beverage and a continuing fascination with the meal. The book concludes by looking at afternoon tea today, including a handful of interviews that show the range of perspectives about the meal and its place in society, as well as its resurging popularity in the last decade.

This book contains a fascinating collection of delicious recipes for every kind of tea you could imagine, whether it is simple tea and biscuits, traditional afternoon tea, or a more substantial high tea for the children. You’ll also find lots of ideas for special occasion teas such as children’s parties and christenings. It includes Sandwiches and savouries Cakes, buns and scones Pastries and biscuits There is also an overview of all the different kinds of tea available to drink plus lemonade recipes for summer tea in the garden.

A guide to this treasured English tradition with recipes, serving and decorum tips, and culinary history—as well as delightful photos from the series. Afternoon tea is a revered English tradition—and no one knows better how to prepare and enjoy a proper tea than the residents of Downton Abbey. With this alluring and vibrant cookbook, fans of the PBS series and anglophiles alike can stage every stylish element of this cultural staple of British society at home. Spanning sweet and savory classics—like Battenberg Cake, Bakewell Tart, toffee puddings, cream scones, and tea sandwiches—the recipes capture the quintessential delicacies of the time, and the proper way to serve them. This charming cookbook also features a detailed narrative history and extols the proper decorum for teatime service, from tea gowns and tearooms to preparing and serving tea. Gorgeous food photographs, lifestyle stills from the television series and recent movie, and quotes bring the characters of Downton Abbey—and this rich tradition—to life in contemporary times.

From cucumber sandwiches to jam and scones, this comprehensive cookery book from the National Trust is chock full of recipes that go perfectly with a cup of tea. Afternoon tea is the quintessential British ritual. And with over 100 tearooms across the country, the National Trust knows a thing or two about it. This gift-sized guide has delicious recipes for savory and sweet treats, whether you’re looking for a lively party, the last word in elegance or a hearty winter tea by the fire. From sandwiches and tarts to cakes, scones, macaroons and preserves – some are classic, some have a twist, such as cucumber sandwiches with minted cream cheese, toasted farmhouse bread with anchovy butter, the classic Victoria sponge, brandysnaps or scones. Plus there’s everything you need to know to brew the perfect pot of tea (not to mention the odd cocktail and bowl of punch). Food historian Laura Mason also includes some fascinating and amusing historical recipes that reveal how afternoon tea was taken in times gone by and the origins of some of our beloved dishes.

Guests can be surprising… Ann and Rhonda continue their work at The Beach House Hotel, always striving to make their upscale property the best on the Gulf Coast of Florida. As they’ve learned, not all guests are easy. When they receive a request from Hilda Hassel, a member of the Bavarian royal family, for a two-week stay at the hotel in January, demanding the best room and high tea every afternoon, Ann is uneasy. Other Hassel family members canceled a large, fancy wedding at the last moment leaving a mess behind. But Rhonda convinces Ann that having a royal guest could increase important European business, and Ann agrees. After deciding to give Hilda the Presidential Suite for two weeks during their high season and welcoming her to the hotel, Ann and Rhonda are left to wonder if they’ve made the biggest mistake of their lives when Hilda arrives with her “nephew” and strange things begin to happen. Another of Judith Keim’s series books celebrating love and families, strong women meeting challenges, and clean women’s fiction with a touch of romance—beach reads for all ages with a touch of humor, satisfying twists, and happy endings

Host a magical, sophisticated, and traditional British tea inspired by the Wizarding World with Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts: Afternoon Tea Magic! With more than 50 original and classic recipes and stunning full-color photography, as well as behind-the-scenes facts from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films, this cookbook outlines how to host your own Wizarding World-themed high tea, as well as how to make many other classic tea-time recipes. Indulge in afternoon tea inspired by the Wizarding World and learn to prepare and enjoy this English tradition with the favorite afternoon repasts of wizards and Muggles from Harry Potter and Hermione Granger to Newt Scamander, Queenie Goldstein, and Jacob Kowalski. Bursting with gorgeous photography of afternoon tea party food, drinks, and sweets, this cookbook offers step-by-step instructions on how to arrange a magical Wizarding World-themed traditional tea. With more than 50 recipes for clever beverages, enchanting sweets, and savory treats, Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts: Afternoon Tea Magic is the perfect guide to creating a memorable and magical tea party for one, two, or more. RECIPES FOR ALL SKILL LEVELS: With accessible step-by-step instructions and helpful cooking tips, Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts: Afternoon Tea Magic is a great guide for adult fans of any skill level, from kitchen novices to seasoned chefs FESTIVE FOOD: More than 50 recipes for teatime offerings from appetizers to main dishes, drinks, and desserts STUNNING IMAGES: Full-color photography of finished recipes help ensure success OFFICIALLY LICENSED: Created in collaboration with Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. COMPLETE YOUR COLLECTION: Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts: Afternoon Tea Magic is the newest addition to Insight Editions’ delightful line of Harry Potter-themed cookbooks, including Harry Potter: The Official Christmas Cookbook, Harry Potter: Feasts & Festivities, and Harry Potter: Homemade.