High Tea and Afternoon Tea are frequently misunderstood and confused for one another. However, besides both being British tea traditions, they are not equal. One is more formal and meant to be a get together over tea and a light snack before dinner. Whereas the other is not at all formal, and meant to be a filling meal after a long, laborious day of work. The names of the tea services are often the cause for the mix up of the two. If you hear the words “High Tea“ and think of fine china, dainty finger foods and fascinators, you‘re not alone but you have the two confused. Here is the difference between High Tea and Afternoon Tea along with some variations of the latter.
What is High Tea?
High Tea was given its name because it was traditionally served at higher dinner tables and/or countertops, not because it involves high class.
In fact, High Tea was actually for the lower class who usually worked labour intensive jobs like in mines or fields. The workers would come home after a long day and be quite hungry. So, a filling meal was prepared and tea happened to be a part of it.
High Tea is more of a substantial savoury meal (not finger foods) served the end of the work day (between 6pm-7pm).
Dishes like meat and fish, along with bread are offered. Scones are not a part of High Tea.
This term is often misused because some assume “high” automatically means fancy, but High Tea is most certainly not that. Also, people seemed to be more familiar with this term than the other.
When people misuse the term “High Tea” they are often referring to the tea service below.
What is Afternoon Tea?
Afternoon Tea is the kind of service most people envision when they think of “high tea” or a tea party. It can also be referred to as “low tea” because, opposite to High Tea, it is most often served at a low table.
Afternoon Tea was the service that was actually for the upper class. It began as a social gathering around the 1840s in England.
It is believed that the Duchess of Bedford was feeling hungry between a breakfast feast and late dinner so she decided to have some snacks accompanied by tea. She continued this habit and invited guests over to enjoy it as well.
Thus, Afternoon Tea was intended to fill that gap between lunch time and dinner time, generally served around 3 or 4pm. That is why it is a lighter meal with bite-sized food.
It consists of a savoury course with tea sandwiches (no crusts!), a sweet course and scones with clotted cream and jam. Of course, there is a pot of tea, too!
Side note: It’s okay for Afternoon Tea to be served earlier in the afternoon and at normal dining table heights as it typically is in North America today.
The Different Types of Afternoon Tea
You can enjoy a traditional Full Tea (Afternoon Tea), but there are actually many variations to this popular tea time service. If you want something lighter, sweeter, or fancier, check out the other options below.
Cream Tea
Cream Tea is not a meal, but a simple form of Afternoon Tea. It is where one would enjoy a pot of tea with scones that are served with clotted/Devonshire* cream and jam.
Clotted/Devonshire cream originated in Southwest England (Cornwall or Devon). Whether you put cream or jam on your scone first is entirely up to your personal preferences.
In Cornwall, traditionally the jam is spread on the scone first, then the cream. In Devon, it’s the opposite: cream first, then jam.
No other items are a part of Cream Tea. Cream Tea can often be served after Afternoon Tea.
*Devonshire cream is clotted cream that has been produced in Devon.
Light Tea
Light Tea is either Afternoon Tea without the tea sandwiches and savoury course or Cream Tea with more sweets added. In addition to the scones with cream and jam, cakes, cookies and fruit treats may be included.
Like the name states, even though more items are included than Cream Tea this is still more of a snack than meal, and is much lighter than Afternoon Tea. Instead of three courses, it usually just includes one.
Royal Tea
Royal Tea is Afternoon Tea served with a glass of champagne. Sometimes this service is simply referred to as Champagne Tea.
Of course, tea is served at all of the above “afternoon tea” services as it is the main feature.
Elevenses
Elevenses isn’t a type of afternoon tea, but worth noting. It actually doesn’t even take place in the afternoon.
As the name states, Elevenses is at 11 o’clock in the morning. It is a short tea break that may also include a light snack.
Technically, you’re not limited to tea, as Elevenses just encourages a break for any hot beverages (yes, even coffee – gasps!)
Next time you head out for tea, reference the list above to understand which tea service you truly are attending or even hosting!
Check out The Afternoon Tea Guide: a digital guidebook to help you learn more about Afternoon Tea as well as how to prepare and host this traditional tea service at home.
Share the High Tea vs Afternoon Tea knowledge! Pin this post for later here –> https://bit.ly/2DkTo9T
So, which type of tea service from the list above do you like the most? Share your preferences in the comments below!
Very cool to hear the differences! I had no idea that high tea was for the lower class. I also didn’t know about elevenses. Now I will feel smart the next time I go out for tea ! 🙂
Yeah! I think I happen to always enjoy Elevenses without realizing it, haha. We will have to go out for afternoon tea together next time! <3
I had no idea the differences! I’m planning a tea party at my house. We’re making it a monthly tradition, and it’s my turn. I’m working on the digital invitations and was doing a little investigating. I’m so glad I did!
I just splurged and bought myself a set of Old Country Roses tea cups and saucers ($60) to go along with my teapot, creamer, and sugar ($42 including shipping.) I can’t afford Royal Albert prices, so eBay has had my attention looking for deals! I’ve been so blessed! (It all started when I found a set of six salad plates and six bread and butter plates at the thrift store for $15—thus began by dream china journey! 😂 ❤️ Oh! And I found one dinner plate at a yard sale!)
My party will begin at 4:00pm! I’m so glad I read your article. I will now call it “Afternoon Tea” and not “high tea.” All of those tea houses are calling it by the wrong name! Shame on them. How about a little research before you charge people $20-45 for finger foods on low tables. Ha ha
My Afternoon Tea, however bite size the portions, will likely fill us up with all I have planned!
I’m going to read some of your other posts! Who knows what else I’ll learn!
Hi Elle,
I’m so glad you came across my blog. I think that is so fun that you are having a monthly tea party. Best of luck with hosting! It sounds like your afternoon tea will be gorgeous with all of those vintage pieces. Thrift stores are my favourite to hunt for teacups!
Happy steeping & sipping,
Lu Ann
THANK YOU SO MUCH for this post! Even the owners of prominent tea rooms do not know the difference and I feel like it’s a lost cause trying to educate pinners on Pinterest. Yes, I agree that most people think “High” means “fancy” or some other elevated meaning when they actually mean “afternoon” tea. I will be sharing your post across my social media, kindred spirit!
Hi Connie,
I’m so thrilled to read your kind comment. Thank you! It’s unfortunate when prominent tea rooms use the term “high tea” — sometimes I think it’s used even when they know it’s incorrect but some guests are just aware of that term more than afternoon tea. Hopefully that will change. 🙂 If you have any other afternoon tea related posts you’d like to see, let me know!
Cheers,
Lu Ann
I have a couple of blog posts about tea if you are interested. (I don’t blog much anymore – I should get back to it because I did enjoy it.)
http://connieblanton.blogspot.com/2011/08/peter-rabbit-tea-party.html
http://connieblanton.blogspot.com/2016/07/love-is-in-air.html
Please let me know what you think,
Connie
Thanks for sharing Connie! That Peter Rabbit set is adorable. You should definitely steep yourself a cuppa and get back to blogging 🙂
I’ve always been confused about what constitutes high tea vs. afternoon tea – glad to have that cleared up. I prefer what you describe as Royal Tea. A glass of champagne makes everything better!
Yes, excellent thought! I love Afternoon Tea or Royal Tea, and I’m not opposed to just Cream Tea, too. Yum!!
Thanks for the infographic and information! I prefer afternoon tea.
Thanks for reading Connie! Good pick! 🙂
Very interesting information. I am just like most, I had the High Tea as the fancy tea and now am glad to be educated to know the difference. Either way, I love Afternoon Tea and visiting with Lady friends or relatives. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
Great post! I’ve always dreamed of opening a tea room, mostly for afternoon tea, but everyone is so health-conscious now! I used to have afternoon tea at the Ritz with my nana when I was young for special occasions so after she died I’d go on my birthday with tea friendly friends. On one occasion, it was delayed a few weeks. I was pregnant at the time and was due for a c-section a few days later so I figured a Champagne Tea was harmless enough. It was Divine! And I promptly went into labor as soon as I got home! lol
I’m planning a tea party baby shower in April and this helped tremendously thank you
Hi Sade, I’m so glad this blog post has helped! I hope you have a blast planning the tea party 🙂
Very informative article. Thank you.
Can you please tell me the pattern of china you used for your photos in this article. They are so beautiful that I would love to look for a tea set in that pattern. They look a bit like a fine china version of my Portmerion Botanic Garden dishes.
This article was very enlightening. I love tea! When I was young that’s what we were allowed to have for breakfast. It was usually tea with toast, butter and jam. This brought back a lovely moment in my life so thank you for that. I’m so glad to know the difference in the “tea’s” as I’ve often wondered. My parents would have coffee so after childhood I became more of a coffee drinker. I do, however, love my tea and will at times make a tea when the urge hits me. I’ve often wanted to have guests for tea but could hardly ever find someone that drank it. When my grandchildren were young we had many many tea parties and today they are both tea drinkers because of it.
I am so pleased to see people understanding the difference between high tea and afternoon tea. And I would love hotels to get on board and get it right too!
There are so many blogs out there now devoted to the ritual of delightful afternoon teas with fantastic recipes and suggestions for sandwiches and cakes/treats to be served. And who knew that there were so many scone recipes out there!
Anyway, 2p.m. here, so time for tea in a china cup on a saucer and crack open a warm scone with some jam and cream.
I was delighted to read all of this including comments. Thank you for the concise”ness” of it. We are planning and hosting a tea for our Girl Scout troops and want to make all we do authentic. Your information in the format you used will be easy to share and very understandable for our many scouts in Colorado Springs, CO (Daisies-Senior/Ambassadors).
WK
This makes me so happy to hear! Thank you for letting me know. I am glad you found the post helpful. Wishing you a wonderful tea time with the Girl Scout troops!